October 22, 2001
 
Bluffton College sophomore middle linebacker Chris Sommers (Delphos/Jefferson H.S.) has been named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in leading the Beavers to a 38-3 win over Manchester College on Saturday.

Sommers collected a career-high 18 tackles as he led the BC defense in shutting down the Manchester offense. Sommers and his teammates held Manchester to just 2.7 yards per rush and less than 200 yards in total offense in the game. One of Sommers' tackles was behind the line of scrimmage for a three-yard loss.

Sommers now leads the HCAC in tackles, averaging 10.4 stops per game, as the Beavers rank second in pass defense and third in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense.

In his four-year career at Delphos Jefferson High School, Sommers collected 302 total tackles and intercepted eight passes. His 100 solo tackles as a senior set a new school record and he was a first-team All-Northwest Conference selection at both linebacker and running back. He rushed for 1,575 yards and 19 touchdowns in the offensive backfield for the Wildcats.