football
Charlotte, North Carolina – The University of Utah football program was well represented today on the 2023 Sporting News All-America defensive ends team. Jonah Ellis Acquisition in the first army, Sione Vaki He is listed as a second-team player.
A first-team All-Pac-12 selection, Ellis has also earned AP, FWAA, Walter Camp, USA Today, College Football Network and CBS Sports All-America honors, and has been named to the Lombardi Trophy and Lott Impact. Also a finalist for the trophy. He won the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and the Ted Hendricks Award.
Vaki was also a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, a Sports Illustrated All-America selection, and a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
Ellis ranked first in the FBS in sacks per game (1.20) and totaled 12.0 sacks in 10 games played. He also ranks fourth in the FBS in tackles for loss (1.6) per game, 16.0 total.
Overall in 2023, he recorded 37 total tackles, including three pass breakups and one forced fumble, and in five games this season, he recorded four consecutive sacks and multiple tackles for loss. Recorded. His 12.0 sacks are the most by a Ute player since 2019 (Bradley Anae, 13.0) and tied for seventh all-time in single-season sacks.
Vaki started all 12 games this season at safety, recording 51 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks), 3 passes defensed (1 INT, 2 PBU), and 317 rushing yards (2 TDs). ) and 203 receiving yards (three TDs).
He averaged 4.3 tackles per game, including five games with five or more stops. He recorded a season-high nine tackles in quick succession (at Oregon State against UCLA) and a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss against the Beavers. Of his 8.5 total tackles for loss this season, 7.5 came during conference play, which was tied for 10.th In the league.
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Utah State is scheduled to compete in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23, at Allegiant Stadium against the Northwestern Wildcats. For more information about the Bowl and the latest information about Utah, visit our Bowl Central page here.
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