KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Truman State junior cornerback DJ Richmond has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference/Athletic Solutions Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Richmond helped the Bulldogs remain tied atop the GLVC standings with a 41-17 Homecoming victory over Southwest Baptist on Saturday at Stokes Stadium.
With Truman leading 31-17 during the fourth quarter, Southwest Baptist drove deep into Bulldog territory with an opportunity to make it a one-score game. Richmond ended the threat by intercepting a pass near Truman's goal line and returning it 98 yards for a touchdown.
The return tied the longest interception return in Truman football history. Eric Sternberg established the record with a 98-yard return against Southwest Baptist on Oct. 6, 2007.
Richmond's touchdown extended the Bulldogs' advantage to 38-17 with 10:40 remaining.
Richmond also recorded five tackles, including four solo stops. He helped a Truman defense limit Southwest Baptist to 249 total yards, including 85 rushing yards. The Bulldogs finished with two interceptions, three sacks and seven tackles for loss.
The Los Angeles, California, native earns the first GLVC Defensive Player of the Week award of his career. He is Truman's first recipient of the honor since Ulysses Ross received the award on Nov. 6, 2023. This is the third Truman GLVC Player of the Week honor of the season, following two GLVC Offensive Player of the Week nods from running back Madden Irving this season.
The victory improved Truman to 4-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play. The Bulldogs remain home Saturday, Oct. 31, for a noon kickoff against Lincoln at Stokes Stadium.
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