LANCASTER, PA - Johns Hopkins senior defensive lineman Michael Rocca (Westwood, NJ/Westwood) has been named the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Blue Jays' 42-14 victory at Ursinus on Saturday. This is the first time Rocca has been honored by the Centennial Conference.

Rocca posted a career-high eight tackles, including one sack, and added one pass breakup and one fumble recovery to lead the way defensively for the Blue Jays. Rocca's efforts fueled a Johns Hopkins defense that limited Ursinus to 51 rushing yards on 40 attempts, 243 yards of total offense and just the 14 points. The Bears were held 18 points and nearly 100 yards below their season averages entering the game.

Rocca is quietly enjoying the finest season of his career as he sixth on the team in tackles (28) and second in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (4.5); all three of those totals are already career highs. He also has four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick to his credit. As a whole, Johns Hopkins is allowing just 14.0 points and 304.6 yards per game and the opposition is averaging just 3.5 yards per rushing attempt.

The eighth-ranked Blue Jays will put their 19-game regular-season winning streak on the line when they travel to Franklin & Marshall (5-3, 4-3 Centennial) on Saturday, November 8.

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