Mark Edwards IV's all-around performance leads to Heart Defensive Player of the Week honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Securing their first win of 2023 last Saturday, the Clarke University football team also earned some individual recogniztion as the Heart of America Athletic Conference announced that junior defensive back Mark Edwards IV was named Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Edwards IV was a standout from his cornerback position in the Pride's 27-24 win over Central Methodist on Saturday as he led the team with two sacks, two pass break ups, and a forced fumble while being the team's second leading tackler at six for the game.

His two sacks came off of corner blitz calls as he was able to storm in from the quarterback's blind side and finish off the pressure with a sack, the second of which forcing a fumble that was recovered by Trey Hayes early in the fourth quarter.

The Richmond, Calif. native had four of his sick tackles come in solo efforts and his pass break ups were spaced out with his first late in the second quarter and the other late in the fourth quarter as CMU was driving to try and come back from down 10 points late before the Pride secured the win.

This is the first Player of the Week honor for the Pride this season and for Edwards IV in his career as Clarke moved to 1-3 with the victory over the Eagles and will head to Olathe, Kan. for a noon kickoff against MidAmerica Nazarene on Saturday, Sept. 23.