Jacas and Tuten Walter Camp honorees
Bhayshul Tuten and Gabe Jacas were selected as Walter Camp Offensive and Defensive Players of the week for the College football week ending October 21. Tuten recorded a Virginia Tech single-game record with 266 rushing yards in a 42-21 win over Boston College. Tuten’s 266 rushing yards came on just 18 carries, averaging 14.8 yards per carry.
Earl Heath
Contributing Sports Writer
Bhayshul Tuten and Gabe Jacas were selected as Walter Camp Offensive and Defensive Players of the week for the College football week ending October 21. Tuten recorded a Virginia Tech single-game record with 266 rushing yards in a 42-21 win over Boston College. Tuten’s 266 rushing yards came on just 18 carries, averaging 14.8 yards per carry.
“Every game is a special game, said Tuten. “That’s how I look at it. I just felt a little better today. We had a bye week. I felt great throughout practice. I took the knee brace off (for a sore knee). I felt fast, I felt good, I felt fluid. I just came out and balled today, and that’s what we needed”. The Senior also scored four touchdowns as the Hokies improved to 4-3.
The Paulsboro, New Jersey native is the second Hokie to earn the honor this season (and fifth time overall) a Virginia Tech player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors. Defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland earned the award on Sept. 17.
On the defensive side Jacas totaled 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble in Illinois’ 21-7 win over #24 Michigan. Jacas set career highs in tackles (13) and sacks (2.5) in the victory. All 2.5 of his sacks came in the fourth quarter, as Illinois held Michigan to its fewest points in a decade.
“I’m not a star the whole team is a star I want to give thanks to their support” said the Port ST Lucie, Florida Native.. “Everybody stepped up today, weather its watching film or game preparations you just do whatever you can to perform your best.”
On the home crowd “I have been here three years and the home crowd (atmosphere) was so nice to play in front of.”
Illinois linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
It is the second time this season an (and fifth time overall) an Illinois player has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors since 2004. Defensive back Xavier Scott earned the award on Sept. 10. Walter Camp is known as “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org) – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.
