Providence, Rhode Island - Brown freshman defensive back AJ Cruz (Lake Forest, CA) was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week for his exploits in Saturday’s 35-21 win over Yale.

With Yale knocking at the door to the Brown end zone with 3:23 left in the game, the Bears needed a big play. The momentum was going in its favor, and a touchdown would draw the Elis to within seven points.

On first and goal at the Brown six-yard line, Yale threw a jump ball into the end zone. Cruz jumped high into the air and made a leaping one-hand interception to give Brown possession and shut the door on the Elis.

Cruz finished the game with a team high nine tackles, including seven solo stops, a tackle for a loss of three yards, and broke-up three passes, including another one in the end zone.

Cruz has started six of eight game for the Bears and ranks second on the Brown team in tackles with 49, including 33 solo stops, and three interceptions. He leads the Ivy League with 11 passes defended. Cruz was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week earlier this year and has been on the Ivy League Weekly Honor Roll four times.