Cherocci earns MAC Player of the Week honor
Central Michigan linebacker Justin Cherocci has been named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week.The senior from Rochester Hills had a quality performance in last Saturday’s 24-10 loss to Kansas.
Against the Jayhawks, Cherocci compiled 18 tackles, 12 of which were of the solo variety and both were career-highs.
He also had a sack during the defeat.“Coming into this game I knew we had to pick it up,” Cherocci said. “We watched a lot of film but I give a lot of credit to the defensive line-they opened the flow up and opened things up for me a bit.”
It is the second time this season a Chippewa has received such an honor. Along with his being humble, the Rochester Hills native takes a certain amount of pride in his position.
Playing defense, let alone linebacker, for a Football Bowl Subdivision school, is no easy challenge.“The way I think of my position is the quarter back of the defense,” Cherocci said. “You’ve got to do a little bit of everything out there. You’ve got to be be a little crazy too.”Head coach Dan Enos appreciates the linebacker’s efforts, even though the effort resulted in a loss.“
He led the league in tackles last year so he’s pretty involved every week,” Enos said. “It was just one of those games where (Kansas) ran a lot and ran between the tackles. He’s a very instinctive player and his MAC honor is well deserved.”
Cherocci has averaged 12 tackles per game this season, which is good enough for him to be tied at 10th in the nation in the category.
His 330 career tackles has put him within striking distance of the record books in Mount Pleasant. Cherocci needs five more tackles to move into the top-10 in program history.“He’s a tough guy, he loves to play and he’s really been a spark for us,” Enos said.
