Lake Forest College football player Joey Valdivia was named Forester Athlete of the Week on Thursday for his performance in the team's 51-29 Homecoming game victory over Ripon College on Saturday.
Valdivia, a senior tailback, carried the ball 23 times for 132 yards and four touchdowns on the day. He also caught two passes for another 17 yards. Valdivia's longest run of the game was 22 yards to the end zone and started the scoring just 4:03 into the contest. He added a pair of 5-yard scores late in the second quarter and a 3-yarder early in the fourth.
It was the second four-touchdown day for Valdivia this season. His 15 rushing scores on the year lead the nation by three and are just two shy of the program record with four games to play. Valdivia also ranks fifth in the country with 794 rushing yards and 35th with 156 all-purpose yards per contest.
Valdivia is the program's all-time leader with 6.5 yards per carry in his career and has moved into eighth place in school history with 1,620 rushing yards. He is also tied-for-third in team annals with 24 career rushing touchdowns.
Forester Athletes of the Week are selected by the Athletic Department on Thursdays. Valdivia also earned the award once last season.
