RIPON — After a monster outing to help Ripon football pick up its first win of the season, senior linebacker Clay Ritschard was named the Midwest Conference Defensive Performer of the Week, as announced by the league on Sept. 14.

Ritschard was a force defensively for Ripon in the Red Hawks’ come-from-behind 23-19 win over Grinnell on Saturday, Sept. 14. The senior had a career-high 16 tackles to go along with 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Ripon forced four Pioneer turnovers in the game and did not allow a point in the second half.

With 21 total tackles through two games, the Argyle native is third in the Midwest Conference in both total tackles and solo tackles (14).

This is the first career weekly award for the Red Hawks’ captain, and Ripon’s first MWC Defensive Performer of the Week since Jaden Shackelford was honored on October 23, 2023.

Ripon faces Illinois College on the road Saturday Sept. 21. Kickoff from England Stadium in Jacksonville is set for 1 p.m.