Much has been expected of Joe Rusert-Cuddy, and he has delivered.

The sophomore flanker, whose wild hair and chillaxed approach belie a sharp mind and many leadership qualities, has emerged as a crucial cog in the Colorado State machine this season.

Rusert-Cuddy is our Men's College Player Of The Week. 

In the wake of Colorado State University head rugby coach Rod Hartley's death, the program faced a crucial crossroads. Hartley, who suffered from ALS and died last spring after a long battle with the disease, left a program that had won the Rocky Mountain Conference and had the talent to do so again. 

But the team needed a coach — enter Mose Timoteo, one of the most decorated and knowledgeable American rugby players of the past 20 years — who, with plenty of help, kept the program on track. Timoteo made Rusert-Cuddy the team captain, and the sophomore has responded.

"His experience with EIRA and with the HS All Americans has really helped," Timoteo said. "I told him that as a captain and a flanker, you've got to lead by example, and he has. He's always working, and very strong defensively."

That showed this past weekend, as CSU beat Colorado 18-5. Holding CU to just the one try was the work of everyone, but we're thinking Rusert-Cuddy had something to do with it.