Lake Forest College football player Joey Kropp was named Midwest Conference Special Teams Performer of the Week on Monday for his performance in the Foresters' 27-14 loss at Ripon College on Saturday.
Kropp, a junior safety, totaled 109 return yards in the game. He fielded a first quarter punt at the Ripon 41-yardline before weaving untouched through the Red Hawk coverage unit and up the left sideline to the end zone. His first career touchdown and the extra point, for which he held, gave the visitors an early 7-0 lead. It was the Foresters' first touchdown on a punt return since Keith Hanson also scored from 41 yards away 10 seasons ago.
Kropp returned two more punts a total of 18 yards and his 270 punt return yards on the season are the third-highest total in team history. His current 12.9 yard-per-return average ranks fourth.
In addition to returning punts on Saturday, Kropp fielded a second quarter kick-off and brought it back 50 yards to the Ripon 29-yardline. He also made five tackles from his safety position in the contest.
MWC Performers of the Week are selected by the league's sports information director.
