Justin Cruz Named ECAC Football Defensive Player of the Week

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University senior linebacker Justin Cruz has been selected as the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Northeast Football Defensive Player of the Week.

Cruz recorded seven tackles (six solo) including a sack and a forced fumble to go along with a pass breakup in the Bears’ 20-14 win over Endicott this past weekend. The Dartmouth, Massachusetts native came up with a key fourth down stop late in the fourth quarter with Endicott driving for the potential game-tying score to help secure the victory.

In 23 games over three seasons with the Bears, Cruz has amassed 91 tackles (62 solo), 13 1/2 tackles for loss, and four sacks.  He also has an interception to his credit to go along with six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three recovered fumbles.

Cruz has 17 tackles over the first three games of the 2012 season as the Bears are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2005 campaign.  Bridgewater will entertain Framingham State University on Friday night at seven as the two teams open New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division play.

Earlier this week, Cruz was named the NEFC Defensive Player of the Week.