Fort Lewis College Athletics

Kaitlyn Silva

JAke Penney (0) looks to the sideline for a play call against the Eagles on Ray Dennison Memorial Field (Oct. 18, 2025)

Penney named NFFCC Player of the Week

10/28/2025 9:48:00 AM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement

DURANGO, Colo. – For the first time since 2014, a Fort Lewis student-athlete has been named the National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter's Player of the Week as Jake Penney brings home the honor following an impressive defensive effort last Saturday.

Penney doubles down on his player of the week accolades this week after dominating the gridiron on defense last weekend in the Skyhawks' (1-7, 0-6 RMAC) 24-14 loss at Colorado Mesa University (4-4, 3-3 RMAC). He kept Fort Lewis within striking distance for much of the contest, recording 21 tackles, including five solo and 16 assisted tackles and a pair of tackles for loss. His 21 tackles are the 2^nd-most in DII, the 8^th-most in all of NCAA football, and as one of 28, 20+ tackle performances in the NCAA this year. He now boasts 109 tackles this season, the most in DII and the 2nd-most in all of NCAA football.

Fort Lewis has had just six NFFCC Players of the Week since 2003, including running back Joe Moore (Oct. 14, 2003), quarterback Andrew Webb (Nov. 4, 2003), quarterback Tim Jenkins (Oct. 1, 2012), running back Dewaun Wesley (Sept. 16, 2013), quarterback Jordan Doyle (Sept. 15, 2014), and running back PJ Hall (Oct. 13, 2014). Penney is the first defensive player to garner the award, and the third linebacker this season.

Penney, a redshirt junior inside linebacker out of Spanish Springs High School in Sparks, Nev., punched his fourth entry into the Skyhawks' single-game tackles top-10 all-time list. His latest career performance of 21 tackles ranks second all-time, and adds to his previous marks of tying for the 4th-most (18), the 5th-most (17), and the 9th-most tackles (16).

Through 30 games, Penney has amassed 311 career tackles, including 189 solo stops and 122 assisted tackles. His marks are good for the 6^th-most total tackles and tie Tom Rieber (1984-86) for the 2^nd-most solo tackles all-time. He trails Phillip Odell's (2008-12) all-time mark of 367 by 56 tackles. Penney is also 4^th among active Division II players and 24th among all NCAA football players in career tackles.

Fort Lewis will be back at home next Saturday, Nov. 1, as the Skyhawks host the Grizzlies from Adams State University (0-8, 0-6 RMAC) for its second-annual Clash for the Pass! rivalry game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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