Collins Named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week

Story Links

Charlottesville, VA – The ACC announced today senior defensive end Nate Collins (Port Chester, N.Y.) has been named the Defensive Lineman of the Week following UVa’s 20-9 victory at Maryland Saturday.

Collins sparked the Cavalier defense that did not allow a touchdown for the second time in its last three outings. UVa has allowed just 19 points during its current three-game winning streak.

Trailing 9-6 with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter, Collins grabbed a Maryland pass tipped by teammate Darren Childs and raced 32 yards for the go-ahead touchdown to give Virginia a 13-9 lead. Later in the fourth quarter on a third down-and-10 from the Maryland nine-yard line, Collins sacked Terrapin quarterback Chris Turner for a loss of seven yards to help set up the Cavaliers’ final score. Collins finished the game with a team-high nine tackles, including two for losses, and a sack.

It marks the third consecutive week a UVa defensive player has been tabbed an ACC player of the week. Last week cornerback Ras-I Dowling was the defensive back of the week after UVa’s 47-7 victory against Indiana. Defensive end Matt Conrath was the defensive lineman of the week following the Cavaliers’ 16-3 win at North Carolina.