Rutgers Strong Safety Joe Lefeged Makes Big East Football History

Rutgers strong safety Joe Lefeged has made Big East football history after putting on an incredible one-man show against Florida International on September 11.

Lefeged, one of three Rutgers defensive captains, is the first player in Big East history to win the Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week within the same week.

Alongside Rutgers Mr. Everything Mohamed Sanu, Lefeged was one of the only players from the Scarlet Knights that was a nightmare for the FIU coaching staff, players, and fans.

The dynamic senior defensive back amassed two blocked punts, forced two fumbles, grabbed one interception, made six tackles, and finally added a pass deflection for his efforts on the night.

Needless to say, Lefeged was crucial in leading Rutgers to a victory, as this was a game where the offense was nothing beyond anemic. His impressive play set up both of RU’s touchdowns on the evening.

His 29-yard interception return led to Sanu’s touchdown pass to tight end D.C. Jefferson, while his second punt block eventually led to Sanu’s touchdown run.

Also worth mentioning is that Rutgers was down 14-13 when Lefeged blocked his second punt.

Furthermore, both Lefeged and Sanu honored as “Paul Hornung’s Most Versatile Players of the Week”.

The Paul Hornung Award is given to the most versatile player in college football at a ceremony in January; the award is new, just being introduced in January of 2010.

Lefeged and Sanu are the only two players named thus far that are teammates, while Kentucky’s Randall Cobb, Troy’s Jerrel Jernigan and Oregon’s Kenjon Barner were honored for the second week in a row. 

Rutgers has not played up to expectations thus far, despite a 2-0 record for the squad.

However, the exceptional play of guys like Lefeged and Sanu gives them at least a puncher’s chance to be competitive against the vast majority of college teams.