Caputo Named PAC Special Teams Player of the Week; Roper Honored by D3football.com

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Carnegie Mellon University sophomore placekicker Justin Caputo was named Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Special Teams Player of the Week while junior linebacker Evan Roper was recognized nationally on the D3football.com Team of the Week for their play in the Tartans' 31-21 win over Case Western Reserve in the 37th Annual Academic Bowl on Saturday, November 11.

Caputo was perfect kicking on the night, converting all four of his PATs and a 36-yard field goal to give the Tartans a 17-7 lead with eight minutes to play in the third quarter. The sophomore leads the PAC in scoring for kickers with 70 points, while also leading the conference with 11 field goals. Caputo also ranks 10th nationally in field goals made per game.

Roper and the Tartan defense held the Spartans to 32 yards on the ground which was the ninth time this season the Cardinal and Gray held an opponent under 100 yards on the ground. Roper finished the game with nine tackles, tying a career-high with eight solo stops. He also finished with 2.0 sacks which marked the third time this season that the junior recorded multiple sacks in a contest.

The Tartans will conclude their season in the 2023 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Asa S. Bushnell Bowl on Saturday, November 18 against Brockport. Kick is set for 4:00 p.m. on the turf at Gesling Stadium.