• Defensive Player of the Year
• Special Teams Player of the Year
• Newcomer of the Year
• First team all-Heartland
• Three-time player of the week recipient
Bluffton University football player, Montez Archer Jr., a freshman from Detroit, is an impressive three-trophy winner as awards were recently announced in this season’s Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC).
He was named Defensive Player of the Year, Special Teams Player of the Year, and the Newcomer of the Year. He was also named to the all-Heartland Conference first team. And, he received a player of the week award for three consecutive weeks in the conference.
He led the league in solo tackles with 40, amassing 53 total tackles, for a 6.6 tackles per game average.
Archer was also first in the league in interceptions with seven and pass breakups with seven and recovered two fumbles.
On special teams Archer led the conference in 531 return yards over 22 returns for an average of 24.1 return yards per game.
He added 245 punt return yards, with a touchdown for an average of 24.5 yards a game.
Josh Taylor from Mt. St. Joseph University was named offensive player of the year. Jeff Sokol, coach of Rose-Hulman, was named Heartland coach of the year as his team went 4-1.
Among Archer’s game highlights
Archer had a career day in just his second collegiate football game against Manchester.
Archer stole the show with three interceptions and a 65-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in Bluffton's 49-14 win at Manchester. He also led the Beavers with seven stops. His three pickoffs tied Pat Craun and Doniven Clark for the school record of three interceptions in a single game.
Bluffton's defense forced eight turnovers, including six interceptions which was just one off the school mark set against Earlham in 2012 and Bowling Green in 1932. The eight turnovers were also one shy of the school record.
Playing against Hanover, Archer earned Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive week after two straight Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Archer returned six kickoffs for 190 yards on Saturday, including a 78-yarder at the end of the first quarter that set up Bluffton's first touchdown.
He also chipped in with seven tackles from his cornerback position. Archer added a 35-yard punt return for good measure as Bluffton lost a thriller 51-44 at Hanover, the pre-season favorite.
