by ST. PAUL, Minn. – University of Minnesota Morris senior Mondo Calderon (Tule River Indian Tribe) made life difficult on Finlandia University all day on Saturday. A huge effort from the defensive lineman helped the Cougars defeat the Lions, 28-12, and earned Calderon UMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday.
Calderon’s impact on the game started early as he intercepted a screen pass on Finlandia’s first possession of the game. That led straight to a touchdown drive for Minnesota Morris and the Lions would not catch up the rest of the way.
With the game still close late in the third quarter, Calderon fell on a fumble to stop a Finlandia drive in the red zone. In the fourth quarter, the Lions were forced to go for it on a fourth down in Minnesota Morris territory but Calderon got to the quarterback and forced a fumble that gave the ball back to the Cougars yet again.
In addition to his involvement in those three turnovers, Calderon finished the day with seven total tackles.
