Defiance collects a pair of HCAC Player of the Week awards

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Defiance football claimed two out of three Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference player of the week honors from Week 10, the conference announced on Monday. 

Following a 24-21 win against Manchester during Senior Day on Saturday, it is the second time this season the Yellow Jackets picked up multiple players of the week awards in the same week.

Senior defensive back Brian Murat (Kissimmee, Fla./Haines City) was awarded Defensive Player of the Week for the first time, while freshman returner Da'Realyst Clark (Lima, Ohio/Lima Senior) earned Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time.

One of several seniors to shine for Defiance on Saturday, Murat's first interception of the year came in a huge spot. Manchester drove the field looking to tie the game, but Murat snagged a tipped pass out of the air and turned on the jets for a 98-yard touchdown to build the Defiance lead to 21-7. Murat also added seven tackles and two tackles for loss during the victory.

Clark provided a much-needed spark after Manchester score the first points of the game. His 85-yard kick return for a touchdown ignited a 24-point rally for Defiance. Clark nearly broke a second return in the third quarter when he returned a kick into Spartan territory. He also chipped in one tackle on special teams. He now has two return touchdowns during his first year with the Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets close the season on Saturday at Bluffton. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

-JACKETS-