Manchester, NH --- Worcester State senior safety Cliff Oratokhai (Worcester, MA/South) has been named this week's NEFC Defensive Player of the Week for doing a little bit of everything defensively for the Lancers in a 27-13 triumph over Bogan Division Champion Framingham State on Saturday.
Oratokhai finished the contest with two interceptions, a pair of bass breakups, a blocked PAT and two tackles (one solo). His pass deflection in the second quarter prevented the go-ahead touchdown early on in the contest and his end-zone pick at the end of the contest helped sealed head coach Brien Cullen's 150th career triumph.
With his two interceptions, Oratokhai moved into a four-way tie for the NEFC lead in the category. Oratokhai is eighth on the team in tackling with 36 stops (29 solo) and he has one fumble recovery. The third-year starter has been clutch for WSU this season as his fourth-quarter snatch helped set-up a game-winning drive in a 21-14 triumph against WPI and he also had two interceptions in a 31-30 win against Coast Guard – one which helped set the table for a score in the contest.
Oratokhai has helped the Lancers have the sixth best pass defense in the NEFC (third Bogan Division) as the squad has allowed just 141.8 yards per game through the air. Opponents also have had trouble on third downs as WSU leads the conference in third down success rate (46 percent – 64-for-139). FSU was four-for-14 this past weekend.
Worcester State will await word in two weeks on a possible ECAC Bowl bid on November 19. Under Cullen the Blue and Gold have posted their first winning record in the regular season since 2004 with an 8-2 mark and 5-2 record in NEFC Bogan Division play.