LANCASTER, Pa. --- Moravian College senior defensive back Chris McGrath and junior defensive back/punter Jimmy McCarthy have been named the Centennial Conference Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for their performances in the Greyhounds' 27-21 victory at Juniata College on Saturday.
McGrath helped seal the victory with a pair of interceptions to go with a total of three passes defended and seven tackles including six solo stops. McGrath had a pass break-up at the goal line on the final play of the first half on a fourth down play by the Eagles. Moravian ended Juniata's final three possessions of the game with interceptions. McGrath's first interception near midfield and subsequent 13-yard return set up the Hounds' game-winning touchdown drive. McGrath then ended the final threat with an interception at the Moravian 15-yard line he returned 20 yards. The Greyhounds forced a total of four turnovers in the game, turning two into touchdowns.
"This is a great honor for Chris," commented Head Coach Jeff Pukszyn. "He has been doing a tremendous job in the defensive back field. We were playing against who I think is the offensive player of the year in the conference on Saturday, and Chris along with the rest of the defense were able to disguise some things to put them in spots to be successful. Chris also did a good job reading the quarterback and know when to break on the ball."
McCarthy was all over the field in different facets of the game at Juniata. On the Greyhounds' opening possession, McCarthy came into punt on fourth-and-seven at Moravian's own 25-yard line. However, he saw a lane and took off running for 24 yards and a first down. The Greyhounds would go on to score a touchdown on the drive and tie the contest at 7-7. McCarthy would eventually punt three times in the game for an average of 32.3 yards.
McCarthy is also the Greyhounds' holder, and called the squad out of a PAT attempt into a two-point conversion alignment, keeping the snap and running in for the two points to put the Hounds' up 21-14 late in the first half. On Moravian's final touchdown, the snap for the PAT sailed over his head. He tracked the ball down near the 35-yard line and nearly completed a pass in the end zone for another two points. McCarthy also had one punt return for five yards on special teams. On defense, McCarthy added three tackles and his conference leading fifth interception of the season as he ended the Eagles' drive in the red zone just after the Hounds had gone ahead 27-21.
"When Jimmy is back to punt, we always give him the option to run if he sees a lane, and he picked the perfect opportunity to take off yesterday," stated Pukszyn. "Jimmy did a good job keeping the ball in his hands and scoring on the two-point conversion attempt. He played really well defensively as well with a huge interception. Jimmy is an outstanding athlete and a huge competitor and that came through for all 60 minutes on Saturday."
Moravian will close out its 2014 season on Saturday, November 15 when the squad welcomes rival Muhlenberg College to Rocco Calvo Field for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff in the Greyhounds' Senior Day game.
