NFL
By: Bill Carroll
The New Nutties For Week 8 was a bit less fraught with drama than last week. However, there were still many strong candidates for The New Nutties For Week 8 here at Nuts And Bolts Sports. Big 12 QBs, Max Duggan and Spencer Sanders continued to impress. Bijan Robinson and Jalin Hyatt continue to dominate. Defensive players like John Torchio of Wisconsin and Yasir Abdullah created chaos and misery for offenses. But they were denied a chance to college football’s most exciting new award, The New Nutties For Week 8:
FBS Defense
Notre Dame Defensive End, Isaiah Foskey looked like a top-50 prospect as he tallied two solo tackles, three assists, and a trio of sacks. But the cherry on top of the cake of his defensive destruction was a pair of blocked punts.
FBS Defense
Oklahoma State Safety, Jason Taylor II not only made many great plays, but he also made them when they counted. He had nine solo tackles. Which was bolstered by his a career high two interceptions in the win over Texas. His second interception helped secure the when for the Cowboys from Stillwell.
Honorable Mention
Duke Safety, Brandon Johnson established himself as a name to be remembered as he totaled nine tackles, eight of them solo, including two quarterback sacks and one interception. He showed he’s dangerous, explosive, and versatile.
FBS Offense
Tulsa Running Back, Deneric Prince left the hopes of the Temple Owls winning in his wake as he churned to 231 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while also adding a receiving touchdown and 29 yards on two catches. The Texas A&M transfer bears watching.
FBS Special Teams
Cincinnati Punter, Mason Fletcher set two school and American Athletic Conference records. His 84-yard blast is the longest punt in the FBS this season. Also, he averaged 65 yards on three punts, breaking the conference’s previous single-game best by 10.5 yards. And his 84-yarder is the new high-water mark by five yards.
FCS Defense
Sam Houston, Linebacker, Kavian Gaither was as omnipresent as the air with 11 tackles (seven solo) including twin sacks, a total of four tackles for loss.
Honorable Mention
Jackson State University football linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. was a destructive force. He collected 13 tackles with one sack and two tackles for loss in the 22-14 JSU win over the Camels of the Big South Conference.
FCS Offense
Montana State Quarterback, Tommy Mellott was a player who burst onto the scene during his team’s FCS playoff run a few seasons. It was his injury that may have thwarted the Bobcats’ hopes. He’s back in “Touchdown Tommy” form. He rushed for 273 yards on 32, and three TDs on the ground. He also had 140 yards passing on 15 of 23 with another TD and an interception.
Honorable Mention
N. Alabama Running Back, ShunDerrick Powell is having a historic season. He recently became the first player in UNA football history to have three 200-plus yard rushing games in a season and a career after 29 carries for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He added 4 catches for 63 yards. He is among the very best backs in college football.
FCS Special Teams
Incarnate Word RS/WR, Kole Wilson nearly took over the game with seven returns for 179 yards, 2 TDs, and the longest return was 48 yards.
Division II Defense
Livingstone Colleges, Corner-back, Kevin Larkins Jr. Is a lanky young CB, but he’s already a true playmaker. He posted nine tackles and three interceptions as the Blue Bears of Livingstone College fell to Shaw 21-14.
Honorable Mention
Edinboro Cornerback, Allen Stritzinger’s had 2 interceptions, including one he returned 91 yards for a touchdown. He also assisted on two stops. The Syracuse and Youngstown State transfer is one of the PSAC’s top NFL prospects.
Division II Offense
Shaw Running Back, Andre Brandon, Jr. rushed for a school-record 306 yards on 49 totes, also a school record, while rushing for two touchdowns. His 306 yards rushing is currently the third highest by an individual in NCAA Division II this season and was just the third 300-yard rushing performance in the CIAA since 2018
Honorable Mention
Newberry Running Back, Mario Anderson was the star of the game versus Lenoir-Rhyne, twelfth-ranked at the time, with 243 yards and two touchdowns and a long jaunt of 75 yards.
Division II Special Teams
Adams State RS/CB Ahmed Bernard was quite good on defense with three passes broken up, four solo tackles, and two assists. But in the return game, he was nonpareil with his trio of kick returns that totaled 112 yards, including a 97-yarder he took to the ‘house.’
