Syracuse Strong: DB Jeff McDuffie takes home Game MVP honors in Week 11

Syracuse Strong DB Jeff McDuffie had a spectacular game in Week 11 and took home MVP honors. Here are all the highlights and an exclusive interview.

Syracuse Strong defensive back Jeff McDuffie won Player of the Game honors at a contest he wasn’t even supposed to be at.

The last couple of weeks have been quite stressful for McDuffie as he awaits the arrival of his son. That uncertainty left his playing status in flux because if his son was ready, his dad wasn’t going to be available for the team.

Strong team president Khalid Bey mentioned in Week 10 that the squad was expecting to be without the services of McDuffie in Week 11 vs the WNY Mustangs.

"“We haven’t had the baby just yet. My son is supposed to arrive any day now. This whole thing has been a process man, my son is stubborn. He acts like he’s going to come then he acts like he doesn’t.”"

Well, the Syracuse Strong football team is sure glad that Jeff was able to make it to the game because he had his best game of the season.

McDuffie recorded two interceptions and the Strong defense forced six turnovers during their 51-8 victory over the WNY Mustangs in Week 11:

"“It felt great out there, I think that was our most complete game as a unit from the defensive line, to the linebackers, to the secondary. We didn’t argue and we just competed.”"

On top of Jeff’s efforts on defense, he’s also the team’s primary punt return after a mid-season change and it paid immediate dividends with McDuffie taking one back to the house.

Arguably the most dangerous position in football is the punt returner job. You’re standing stationary as five or six guys are sprinting towards you like screamer monkeys going 60 miles an hour.

Despite all that chaos, DB Jeff McDuffie prides himself on being fearless as it pertains to this position and always have the mentality to make a play:

"“I have an animal mentality. I’m not afraid of contact, I embrace it. At first, I let the punt drop in front of me when everyone was looking at it, I saw a lane grabbed the ball reversed field and took it to the house.”"

Now the Syracuse Strong are 10-0 and have one of the biggest winning streaks dating back to last year in the country:

"“It still feels surreal, we don’t take anything for granted. Any given day it can be anyone’s game so for us to come out 10-0? We’re blessed man. We’re always hungry man, never satisfied. Until we’re holding that chip at the end of the year man we still think we underdogs. The goal for this team is championships. Nothing less. We can win the league all we want, but until we get that National Championship it doesn’t mean anything.”"

Up next the Syracuse Strong will enjoy a well-deserved bye week, before returning home in Week 13. There are only two games left in the regular season for the Strong before the league playoffs start September 7.