Andersen Named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week
10/27/2020 2:00:00 PM | Football
This marks the third national award freshman Nick Andersen has received this week after his 11-tackle, three interception performance against No. 19 Virginia Tech.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Football freshman defensive back Nick Andersen earned his third national award of the week on Tuesday, Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week by the FWAA.
This is the second time a Wake Forest player to earn this weekly honor, and the first time since Jon Abbate in 2005.
Andersen, who made his second consecutive start at safety on Saturday against No. 19 Virginia Tech, became the first Wake Forest player since A.J. Greene in 1987 to intercept three or more passes in a single game. He was also the first ACC player to have three or more interceptions since Louisville's Gerod Holliman in 2014.
The Clifton, Va. native sealed the win over the nationally-ranked Hokies with six seconds remaining in the game with his third interception of the day. He is just the fourth player in program history to have three or more interceptions and is the first true freshman to do so.
Not only did he record three interceptions, he turned in a team-high, game-high and career-high 11 total tackles including nine solo tackles. He became the first ACC player since 2008 to record 10 or more tackles and three interceptions in the same game.
Andersen was key in keeping Kahlil Herbert, the national all-purpose yards leader, in check.
Herbert came in averaging 240.5 all-purpose yards per game. Andersen and the Wake defense held him to 87 all-purpose yards. He also came in averaging 148.0 yards per game and 9.7 yards a carry. Led by Andersen's effort, the defense held him to just 64 yards (3.4 average) in the game.
This is the second time a Wake Forest player to earn this weekly honor, and the first time since Jon Abbate in 2005.
Andersen, who made his second consecutive start at safety on Saturday against No. 19 Virginia Tech, became the first Wake Forest player since A.J. Greene in 1987 to intercept three or more passes in a single game. He was also the first ACC player to have three or more interceptions since Louisville's Gerod Holliman in 2014.
The Clifton, Va. native sealed the win over the nationally-ranked Hokies with six seconds remaining in the game with his third interception of the day. He is just the fourth player in program history to have three or more interceptions and is the first true freshman to do so.
Not only did he record three interceptions, he turned in a team-high, game-high and career-high 11 total tackles including nine solo tackles. He became the first ACC player since 2008 to record 10 or more tackles and three interceptions in the same game.
Andersen was key in keeping Kahlil Herbert, the national all-purpose yards leader, in check.
Herbert came in averaging 240.5 all-purpose yards per game. Andersen and the Wake defense held him to 87 all-purpose yards. He also came in averaging 148.0 yards per game and 9.7 yards a carry. Led by Andersen's effort, the defense held him to just 64 yards (3.4 average) in the game.
Players Mentioned
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