Wake Forest Athletics
Gattis Wins Another ACC Weekly Honor
10/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 30, 2006
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Wake Forest senior safety Josh Gattis has been selected as the ACC's Defensive Back of the Week for the second straight game, the league announced on Monday. Gattis is the first repeat winner of that award in 2006.
In Wake Forest's 24-17 win at North Carolina, Gattis recorded a career-high 13 tackles. He made eight stops in the first quarter alone, made an interception in the second quarter and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter that set-up Wake Forest's go-ahead touchdown. Gattis has intercepted passes in each of the Deacons' last three games.
The Durham, N.C., native also won the ACC's weekly award for defensive backs after the Deacons' win at NC State on October 14. Against the Wolfpack, Gattis forced a fumble that was recovered by the Wolfpack for a safety, giving the Deacons a lead moments before halftime. Wake Forest never surrendered the lead. Gattis intercepted NC State's Daniel Evans on the final drive to seal the 25-23 victory for the Deacons. He finished the day with seven tackles including one for loss.
Gattis is the only player in the ACC to rank in the top 10 in interceptions and in the top 15 for tackles. He ranks 5th in interceptions with three, eighth in the league with seven passes defended and 15th in the ACC with 51 tackles. Gattis is one of seven active players to have returned two interceptions for scores in their careers. He has 10 career interceptions.
Gattis is a member of the 2006 Jim Thorpe Award watch list and was an honorable mention All-American last season.
Gattis is the fifth Deacon to earn weekly ACC honors this season. Offensive tackle Steve Vallos was the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week following Wake Forest's season-opening win against Syracuse. Quarterback Riley Skinner was the ACC Rookie of the Week after the win against Duke. Center Steve Justice was the ACC's Offensive Lineman of the Week after the Ole Miss victory. Sophomore punter and placekicker Sam Swank earned ACC Specialist of Week honors three straight weeks, after the Liberty, Clemson and NC State games. Gattis picked up Defensive Back of the Week honors for performances against NC State and North Carolina.
The 22nd-ranked Demon Deacons (7-1) are off their their best start since 1979. Wake Forest hosts 16th-ranked Boston College on Saturday night at Groves Stadium. The game will mark the first game between ranked teams at Groves Stadium since October 28, 1979 when 18th-ranked Deacons defeated 13th-ranked Auburn, 42-38.
