Central Michigan University Athletics
Annese Named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week
11/18/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Redshirt freshman safety Tony Annese has been honored as MAC West Defensive Player of the Week for his standout performance in Central Michigan’s 27-22 road win over rival Western Michigan, the conference office announced on Monday.
In his first career start, Annese played a pivotal role in bringing the Victory Cannon back to Mount Pleasant. The Hartland native scored the game-winning touchdown late in the third quarter, intercepting Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell and returning it 34 yards for a score, providing CMU what would prove to be an insurmountable 27-16 lead. He also made two other big plays, breaking up a pass on a key third down late in the game and forcing a bad throw on a fake reverse/wide receiver pass with pressure. Annese finished the game with a career-high seven tackles.
Playing in all 10 games this season, Annese has totaled 21 tackles, including 12 solos, predominantly on special teams.
Annese is the second Chippewa to earn conference defensive player of the week honors this season. Sophomore safety Kavon Frazier was recognized on October 14 following CMU’s 26-23 road win over Ohio.
Central Michigan (4-6, 3-3) will kick off a two-game home stand to finish out the regular season on Saturday when it hosts UMass (1-9, 1-5) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The cross-divisional MAC contest is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on ESPN3. The Chippewas defeated the Minutemen last season, 42-21, in Foxboro, Mass. in the only other meeting between the two programs.
In his first career start, Annese played a pivotal role in bringing the Victory Cannon back to Mount Pleasant. The Hartland native scored the game-winning touchdown late in the third quarter, intercepting Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell and returning it 34 yards for a score, providing CMU what would prove to be an insurmountable 27-16 lead. He also made two other big plays, breaking up a pass on a key third down late in the game and forcing a bad throw on a fake reverse/wide receiver pass with pressure. Annese finished the game with a career-high seven tackles.
Playing in all 10 games this season, Annese has totaled 21 tackles, including 12 solos, predominantly on special teams.
Annese is the second Chippewa to earn conference defensive player of the week honors this season. Sophomore safety Kavon Frazier was recognized on October 14 following CMU’s 26-23 road win over Ohio.
Central Michigan (4-6, 3-3) will kick off a two-game home stand to finish out the regular season on Saturday when it hosts UMass (1-9, 1-5) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The cross-divisional MAC contest is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on ESPN3. The Chippewas defeated the Minutemen last season, 42-21, in Foxboro, Mass. in the only other meeting between the two programs.
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