Valparaiso University football redshirt sophomore Gabriel Batres (Fairfield, Calif. / Angelo Rodriguez) has been tabbed the Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Saturday's Week 1 67-10 victory over Virginia Lynchburg.
 
Batres led the way with a team-high six tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. He had the most TFL by any Valpo player in a game since Trejuan Purty had five on Nov. 20, 2021 vs. Presbyterian. The three sacks were the most by a Beacon since Purty and Nick Prine each had three in that game against the Blue Hose.
 
Batres led a Valpo defensive unit that racked up eight sacks in the season opener vs. Virginia Lynchburg, the most of any FCS program nationally in Week 1 of the 2025 season. This marked Valpo's most sacks in a game since 10 on Nov. 6, 2021 vs. Presbyterian.
 
The Beacons had 18 tackles for loss in the game this week, becoming the first team in the FCS nation with 18 tackles for loss since N.C. Central on Oct. 12, 2024 (also vs. VUL). That total led the FCS nation for team single-game TFL for all of last season. Valpo's 18 TFL tied for the most by an FCS team in a single game since Oct. 12, 2019, when Sam Houston had 19 vs. Lamar.
 
Batres' effort helped Valpo achieve its most lopsided victory since 1958. Valpo has already matched last season's Defensive Player of the Week nods, as Mark Johnson was the team's lone defensive honoree on Oct. 27 of last season.