NFL
By: Bill Carroll
NBS New Nutties For Week 7 was truly a herculean challenge. Several Tennessee Volunteers showed that they desperately wanted to win the most coveted, new, award in college football. Even in defeat, reigning Heisman winner, Bryce Young tried to stake his claim to the NBS New Nutties For Week 7, and Buffalo U QB, Kyle Vantrease, had a once on a decade day. He passed for 578 yards, the third-most in Sun Belt history, four touchdowns, and an interception, with plays that were pivotal to securing victory over the favored, ranked James Madison Dukes.
But Jalin Hyatt, despite six catches, 207 yards, school-record five touchdowns, Young’s 455 yards passing and two scores, Cam Rising was 30-of-44 passing for 415 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 60 yards rushing, three more touchdowns no sacks, his first career-reception, for nine-yards and no interceptions in the win over, then, #7 USC. Max Duggan, he of completing 23-of-40 passes for 286 yards with two scores and rushing for 57 yards and a score, even Vantrease’s record-setting ways, must all bend their knees to the NBS New Nutties For Week 7 honorees:
FBS Defense
Fresno State, Defensive End, David Perales‘ five tackles helped pace the central valley Bulldogs to the win, this included his five tackles for loss and four sacks. Four sacks is the second-most in a single game nationally this season. Also, five tackles for loss are also the most in a game by a MW defender in 2022, and is tied for the second-most all-time in league history.
Miami, DT, Akheem Mesidor, a 6’2 1/4” 276 West Virginia transfer and Ottawa, Ontario native, registered eight total tackles and a personal best 3.5 sacks in Blacksburg, Mesidor is the third ACC
player in the last three seasons to post at least 3.5 sacks in a game, including the first since Virginia’s Charles Snowden. He leads Miami with four sacks and is second on the team with six tackles for loss.
Honorable Mention
N. Texas, Linebacker, K.D Davis’ 19 tackles were the third-most by a FBS player in a game this season and the most tackles by a North Texas player since 2003. He had 11 solo and 8 assists as well as a half-tackle for-loss. He is extremely instinctive and he always finds the ball.
FBS Offense
Old Dominion, Running Back, Blake Watson ran for 256 yards and two scores in a 49-21 victory at previously undefeated Coastal Carolina.
Watson has power of lower-body pop and track speed that makes him a threat every time to touches the ball.
Honorable Mention
Washington, QB, Michael Penix Jr. was on fire versus Arizona he was accurate on 36 of 44 attempts passing for four scores and 516 yards with 13 more yards on three carries and another six on the scoreboard. He’s mentally and physically tough, mobile and he has an above-average arm.
FBS Special Teams
Utah State, Punter, Stephen Kotsanlee was a true weapon with three punts of at least 50 yards (58, 55, 59) and averaged 47.2 yards per punt with a punt downed inside the Rams 20-yard line.
FCS Defense
Campbell, Defensive End, Brevin Allen has just missed winning the coveted ‘Nutty’ award on two previous occasions and finally he has broken through. The 6’3 1/2″ 263-pound pass-rusher deluxe
posted three sacks as well as an interception in the Camels’ win over RMU. The red-shirt senior’s 3.0 sacks marked a career-high and tied for the second most in a single game in school history. The interception was the first of his career.
Honorable Mention
Youngstown State, DE James Jackson, was very efficient. Versus Indiana State he posted a career-high three sacks, with a single sack prior, all three of his tackles were sacks.
FCS Offense
Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Running Back, Kayvon Britten had his second game of over 225 yards rushing, but it’s the first time he’s claimed one of
the NBS Nutties. The Cincinnati, Ohio native was unstoppable with 277 yards on 32 carries to go along with four rushing touchdowns.
Honorable Mention
Youngstown State, Running Back, Jaleel McLaughlin, a Notre College [Ohio, Division II], transfer had another stellar performance. He rambled for 200 yards on 32 carries and two touchdowns, with 19 receiving yards on two catches as a bonus.
FCS Special Teams
Morgan State, DB/RS, Keith Jenkins, Jr. went utterly berserk with 215 total return yards, 161 on kickoffs, an average of 43 yards on five kickoff
returns against North Carolina Central, including a 96-yard return for a touchdown.
Division II Defense
CSU-Pueblo, Defensive Tackle, Robert (Trey) Botts is a versatile player who was, at one point, a nearly 305-pound tackle, who has lost about
21 pounds and can now play all across the line. He flashed his power and versatility in a virtuoso performance. He harassed New Mexico Highlands. Botts to the tune of 15 total tackles with six of them without any help. He also posted three sacks and another three additional TFLs, for a total of six!
Honorable Mention
Division II Offense
Concord, Running Back, Thurlow Wilkins averaged 10.3 yards per carry on 27 carries and had touchdown runs of 41, 39, 16 and 59-yards.
Wilkins’ rushing total was the third-highest in Concord history and eighth-highest in Mountain East Conference history. His 279 yards was vital in victory.
Honorable Mention
Jada Byers rushed 30 times for 277 yards and a touchdown in the 27-24 overtime road victory over conference foe Bowie State. The sophomore had six rushes of at least 23 yards, including a touchdown of 23 yards and his two longest runs were 49 and 53 yards. Byers also returned a kickoff 16 yards. His 1,373 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns, leads all of Division II Football in those categories.
Division II Special Teams
Chadron State, Place Kicker/Punter, Gunnar Jones had a frankly studly performance, booming two 57-yard field goals, as well as averaging 58 yards per kickoff and having a 54-yard punt. He was perfect on all three field goals and both extra points.
