CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Football defensive back AJ Lopez has been named the FedEx Ground FCS National Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore is the second Crimson player in as many seasons to earn the national award (Nate Leskovec – 2022).
 
A native of Loganville, Georgia, Lopez helped lead the Crimson to a 38-28 win at No. 5/6 Holy Cross, which ended the Crusaders' 19-game regular-season winning streak against non-league opponents. He had five tackles, including three solos, and returned his first career interception for a touchdown late in the second quarter. In the fourth, Lopez's second forced fumble of the season stopped another drive. The sophomore also added a pass breakup to keep the Crimson (3-0) as one of just three unbeaten FCS teams.  
 
Lopez and the Harvard defensive unit caused five turnovers, including three interceptions of Holy Cross quarterback Matthew Sluka, who only had four picks over the course of the entire 2022 campaign. The Crimson also held the Crusaders to a season low in points against FCS opponents and matched Boston College's defensive performance against Holy Cross.
 
Harvard now turns its focus back to Ivy League play as it welcomes Cornell to Harvard Stadium on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and the contest will air live on ESPNU.