Lake Forest College football player Thomas DeChesaro was named Midwest Conference Defensive Performer of the Week on Monday for his performance in the Foresters' 15-14 loss to the University of Chicago on Saturday.

DeChesaro caught three of the Chicago quarterback's passes in the game, although only two of them went down as interceptions. After snagging a pass tipped to him by cornerback Dante Esposito at the Maroons' 41-yardline, DeChesaro raced up the right side of the field to the end zone for his first career touchdown. 

His second interception ended the first possession of the second half. This time the pass was tipped twice, first by sophomore linebacker Charlie Fordon, and then by the intended receiver from Chicago, before DeChesaro made a diving grab at the Forester 32-yardline. It was the sophomore safety's third interception of the season and fourth in his career.

After the Maroons scored to take a 15-14 lead later in the third quarter, their two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful when DeChesaro picked off the pass in the end zone.

In addition to picking off passes, DeChesaro made three tackles and added a pass breakup to his stat line for the game. He tied for the team lead in interceptions this fall while ranking third on the squad with 36 tackles.

MWC Performers of the Week are selected by the league's sports information directors.