CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Wartburg football junior defensive back Sam Roose and senior kicker Jaxson Hoppes have each earned American Rivers Conference Player of the Week honors, the league announced Monday. 

Roose, a Waverly, Iowa native, was a defensive difference-maker in the No. 10-ranked Knights' 16-0 shutout win over (RV) Wisconsin-Stout. He posted four tackles (three solo), one tackle for loss, two interceptions with 71 return yards, and a fumble recovery. Roose was responsible for three of Wartburg's four forced turnovers in the victory. 

Hoppes, out of Waterloo, Iowa, anchored special teams with a strong all-around effort. He went a perfect 1-for-1 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals from 32 and 34 yards. Hoppes also handled the kicking game effectively, sending four kickoffs for 246 yards with two touchbacks and punting five times for 217 yards (43.4 average). His most crucial play came late in the game, pinning a punt inside the one-yard line to help seal the shutout. 

Both Roose and Hoppes collect their first career A-R-C Player of the Week awards, with Roose extending Wartburg's streak of Defensive POTW honors to six straight weeks, dating back to Oct. 21, 2024.