Obi Etuka Named to D3football.com Team of the Week
Middletown, Conn. native broke program record for career interceptions with two-pick performance on Saturday
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 18, 2016) – Senior cornerback Obi Etuka (Middletown, Conn.) of the Western New England University football team has been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week, it was announced today.
Etuka earns this national honor for the second time in his career following his two-interception performance in Western New England's 37-0 shutout victory over MIT on Saturday afternoon at Golden Bear Stadium. The Middletown, Conn. native, who entered the game tied with Jay Rooney '07 for first place on the program's all-time interceptions list with 16, broke the record with his pick near the goal line in the third quarter. Etuka added a second interception with 9:22 remaining in the game to seal Western New England's first shutout of the season. The dominant Golden Bear defense limited the Engineers to just 113 yards of total offense and seven first downs in the win.
Etuka was named to D3football.com's Team of the Week for the first time in his career last September after recording a program-record four interceptions in Western New England's 31-0 shutout of Westfield State. He is just the 13th Golden Bear all-time to earn D3football.com's prestigious weekly honor, and the second to be recognized twice, joining Downes Hall-of- Famer Marvin Langley '03. Western New England's offensive line was also honored during the 2012 campaign.
A two-time All-New England Football Conference (NEFC) first team selection, Etuka was named NEFC Defensive Player of the Year last fall after helping lead the Golden Bears to their first undefeated regular season in program history. In 37 career games, Etuka's statistics include 116 tackles (73 solo), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 26 pass breakups and 18 interceptions.
Western New England (6-0, 3-0 NEFC) will be on the road this Saturday with a key conference contest at Endicott (3-3, 3-0 NEFC). The Golden Bears return home on October 29 to host Maine Maritime.
Western New England's D3football.com Team of the Week Honorees
CB Isaiah Berrios, 2013-09
CB Obi Etuka, 2015-02
RET Mike Graham, 2011-09
P Ian Kennedy, 2014-02
RB Marvin Langley, 2000-02, 2001-09
RB Mike Laroche, 2004-10
RET Brian Luce, 2000-06
CB Alex Miller, 2012-02
WR Terrence N'Dabian, 2014-04
P Dayne Poirot, 2004-02
RET Tucker Schumitz, 2012-03
DL Tyler Stewart, 2006-02
S Phil Tsopanides, 2010-08
OL Andrew McManus, De'Quan Murray, Joe Grieci, Jim Whitlow, Nick Vanoudenhove, 2012-10
