Akanno Named STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week
STATS (September 23, 2019) – Idaho redshirt junior linebacker Charles Akanno has been named the STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week, announced today by the organization.
Akanno helped lead Idaho to a 35-27 win against then-No. 11 Eastern Washington. It was Idaho's first win against an opponent ranked No. 11 or higher since 1999. Akanno recorded a career-high nine tackles and assisted on a tackle for loss. He added three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. Akanno’s forced fumble in the second quarter led to a four-play, 24-yard scoring drive that gave the Vandals a 21-0 lead. In the third quarter, Akanno’s quarterback hurry led to an incomplete pass on 4
th and goal on the Idaho three-yard line that halted the Eagles’ chances of scoring late in the quarter. Akanno and the Vandal defense held Eastern Washington to 95 rushing yards at an average of 3.0 yards per rush.
It is the second STATS FCS National Player of the Week honor for a Big Sky player this season. Dre’Sonte Dorton of Eastern Washington earned offensive honors on Sept. 9.