NFL
The New Nutties For Week 6
By: Bill Carroll
The New Nutties For Week 6 gives us, at Nuts And Bolts, a chance to celebrate, not only the most obvious standouts from the past week’s slate of college games but also those that may slip through the cracks.
This actually was one of the easier weeks as there were some performances that were so spectacular that it was clear that they had to be The New Nutties For Week 6.
FBS Defense
USC, DE, Tuli Tuipulotu is seen as a bit of a “tweener” he’s played much of the first five games at defensive tackle to make up for the depth issue. His best NFL fit is likely at the “5-technique” spot.. Despite playing out of position, he produced. Now he’s posted a three-sack performance, versus the Washington State Cougars, his 7th of the season (plus another assisted TFL tonight on top of the sacks). On the day he was able to gather four solo tackles, and an assist, now back in his natural position of end.
Honorable Mention:
Toledo, Corner-back, Quinyon Mitchell, returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns. The previous player with four interceptions was Middle Tennessee State’s Damon Nickson, who did it in 2006 against Louisiana.
FBS Offense
Pittsburgh, RB, Israel Abanikanda, Pitt has had many great running backs in its history that began October 11th of 1890. Among the greatest were: Kevan Barlow, James Conner, Tony Dorsett , who until recently had the Pitt single-game rushing record 303 yards versus Notre Dame, in 1975, Marshall Goldberg, Ray Graham, Craig “Ironhead” Hayward, Dion Lewis, Curtis Martin, LeSean McCoy, Qadree Ollison, “Swervin” Curvin Richards and Billy West.
When it comes to exploits in one game, the 5’11” 215 Junior, who was a standout sprinter while in high school, now stands at the summit. Abanikanda ran for 320 yards to break Tony Dorsett’s Pittsburgh record. Abanikanda scored on runs of 38, 17, 29, 5, 10, and 80 yards , among 36 carries, and added a kick return for 24 yards.
Honorable Mentions:
TCU, WR, Quentin Johnson put on a show versus, previously unbeaten, Kansas.. He had several wow plays, 14 receptions for 206 yards, a TD on a 53-yarder. He is a tantalizing NFL prospect.
Ole Miss WR, Jonathan Mingo amassed 247 yards, 2 scores and he needed but 9 catches to do all that damage. His deepest assault on the Jayhawk’s defense came on a 72-yard connection with Max Duggan.
FBS Special Teams
Jayce Rogers returned a kickoff for 100-yards and a TD. Rogers’ return came in the fourth quarter of
the Cougars’ 33-32 win over Memphis and was their 18th kick return for a touchdown since 2008.
FCS Defense
St. Thomas, Safety, Luke Glenna had 11 solo tackles and 11 more assists for a simply ridiculous total of 22 tackles. Among his bushel-basket of stops was a tackle for loss.
Honorable Mention:
Nicholls, LB, Alex Villavaso, had the best game of his career with two sacks to help Nicholls’ defensive efforts in the Colonels’ 19-17 win at HCU. His first sack in the opening quarter forced an HCU fumble.
FCS Offense
Incarnate Word, Quarterback Lindsey Scott, Jr. completed 23-of-26 passes for 401 yards and seven touchdowns, and also recorded five carries for 29 yards. The seven touchdowns ties Cameron Ward for the school record, a tie for the second-most in Southland history in a single game.
This was the most by an FCS player this season, tying the FCS record for touchdown passes in a half. His pass efficiency rating of 306.862 in the game is also the highest single-game rating by an FCS passer this year.
Honorable Mention:
Fordham, Quarterback, Tim DeMorat completed 26-of-37 pass attempts for 499 yards, one interception, and four touchdowns in Fordham’s 40-28 victory at Lehigh. He leads NCAA DI FCS in passing yards per game (442.0) and touchdown passes (30).
FCS Special Teams
Georgetown, Running Back/Return Specialist Mason Gudger had two kickoff returns for touchdowns of
94 and 89 yards. He also had 3 other returns for a total of five for 227 yards.
DII Defense
University of Indianapolis, DE/DT Dylan Shelton was a play wrecker. He tallied five tackles, including four
solo and 4.5 for loss, with three sacks. He’s a powerful 6’1″ 268 with a game that has both elements of Geno Atkins and Trent Cole.
Honorable Mention:
Emory & Henry College, LB, Ivan Phillips garnered 10 stops in the Wasps’ 34-14 win over the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Eight of which were solo. He added 1.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble that he returned 12 yards for the final touchdown of the game.
DII Offense
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, QB Jayden Johannsen completed 20-29 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns through the air and added 146 yards on the ground and three more touchdowns on 21 rushes.
Honorable Mention:
University of Indianapolis, RB, Toriano Clinton, Scored all five of University of Indianapolis’ touchdowns in a road win at McKendree. He raced to 272 rushing yards and four rushing TDs, which are both the most by a GLVC runner this season. He added his fifth TD on 35-yard reception in the second quarter, finishing with a gaudy 317 all-purpose yards.
DII Special Teams
UVA Wise, Corner-back/Return Specialist, Robert Carter had 4 returns for 122 yards, 1 score, and his TD came on a 96-yard gallop. The New Nutties For Week 6 is now in the books.
