Schropp named NAIA National Player of the Week
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Schropp looks over the defense and gets ready to take a snap in the game against Saint Mary on September 23 Photo by: Max Iselin, Yote Photo

After nearly single handedly leading no.12 ranked Kansas Wesleyan to a 42-19 win over Ottawa University on Saturday, Justin Schropp not only earned KCAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, but was also named NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week for the week of September 30.

This is the first time a KWU player has earned National Player of the Week honors in football since Johnny Johnson in 1986, and the first for the Coyotes in any sport since Jason Gentz was named Men’s Basketball National Player of the Week in 1996.

"Yeah, I'm surprised by that," Schropp said in an interview Monday afternoon with the Salina Journal. "Things came together last week, but national player of the week is a little higher than I was expecting."

Schropp is no stranger to winning. He led Southeast of Saline to the 2005 3A State Championship last season as a senior. He accounted for over 3,000 yards of offense last season for the Trojans, and has continued that trend in his rookie campaign for the Coyotes, who boast a perfect 4-0 record under his leadership.

Schropp was the man Saturday night, having a part in five of the six KWU scores. He rushed for three tallies, and passed for two more. His first score was a 54 yard play, a perfectly executed option play around the left end, which he cut back across the field, going untouched into the endzone with 2:39 to go in the first quarter. The run capped a lightning quick four-play, 74 yard drive for the Coyotes.

He scored again from five yards out on Wesleyan’s next drive, giving the Coyotes a 14-0 lead.

Photo by: Max Iselin, Yote Photo

After an Ottawa field goal, Schropp hit Marcus Lowe from 31-yards out to put the Coyotes ahead 21-3.

Schropp’s final rushing touchdown was via another huge play, this time to the right, with Schropp outrunning the entire Ottawa defense, going untouched into the endzone from 64 yards out.

"It was a roll out and they were in man coverage and all their guys had come to one side of the field (to cover) the flood route," Schropp said. "The offensive line did a great job. I saw that open up on the backside and (wide receiver Marcus) Lowe got a great block on the backside that really opened it up and let me go."

He then found Lowe again from nine yards out for his second touchdown toss of the night, and fifth score overall.

"Marcus is a guy I feel comfortable throwing to, even when he's in coverage, because chances are he's going to come down with it," Schropp said.

For the night, Schropp was 8-for-12 passing for 88 yards and two touchdowns, and he also rushed nine times for 143 yards and three scores. He racked up an impressive 231 yards of total offense, just ten yards shy of Ottawa’s entire team total of 241 yards.

Wesleyan coach Dave Dallas was pleased with Schropp's performance, but not surprised.

"He was patient and we put him in good situations to be successful. He had a chance to make plays and made them with his legs, running and throwing," he said.

Kansas Wesleyan begins a three game homestand this Saturday against Southwestern College. It’s CiCi’s Pizza Youth Day with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM at Martin Stadium.

-- KWU SI --