MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU football sophomore linebacker Jake Lopinto was named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Defensive Player of the Week and a NEC Prime Performer, the league announced Monday.

Lopinto turned in a career performance Saturday afternoon against Akron, recording a career-high nine tackles in the Colonials' matchup with the Zips. The sophomore totaled four solo stops and five assisted tackles to establish a new career best.

Lopinto made an immediate impact, forcing a fumble on Akron's opening possession that was recovered by the Colonials. He also added a tackle for loss, dropping an Akron ball carrier for a two-yard loss.

The nine-tackle effort marked the first double-digit-threat performance of Lopinto's career and highlighted his strong presence in the middle of the Colonials' defense against the Zips.

The NEC Defensive Player of the Week honor is the first weekly conference accolade of Lopinto's career. He becomes the latest Colonial to earn NEC weekly recognition this season.

Wide receiver Galen Combs also earned conference recognition, being named an NEC Prime Performer for the third consecutive week following another standout performance against Akron.

Combs continued his scoring streak, finding the end zone in each of the Colonials' three games this season. Against the Zips, the sophomore hauled in 119 receiving yards and a touchdown, marking his fifth receiving touchdown of the season.

Through three games, Combs leads the NEC with 307 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, 102.3 receiving yards per game and five receptions per game.