Harris Named ACC Defensive Back of the Week

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Sep 3, 2013

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia strong safety Anthony Harris was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week for games played through Sept. 2.

The weekly ACC honor is the first for the junior from Chesterfield, Va. Harris was also named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday.

Harris posted 11 tackles, including three solo stops, recorded one quarterback sack, blocked a punt and intercepted a pass in UVa’s season-opening 19-16 victory against BYU.

Harris’ blocked punt in the third quarter set up Virginia’s first touchdown.

With UVa trailing 16-12 and three minutes left to play, Harris picked off a third-down BYU pass, returned it 10 yards and then pitched the ball to linebacker Henry Coley, who ran another 23 yards. Virginia scored the winning touchdown on the next play.

Harris is the first Cavalier to win ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors since Maurice Canady won the award in back-to-back weeks last season (Nov. 5 and Nov. 12).

Virginia returns to Scott Stadium on Saturday when No. 2 Oregon comes to Charlottesville. The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and televised nationally on ABC or ESPN2, depending on geography.