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The University of Utah Athletics
Sione Vaki Named Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week
10/17/2023 10:00 AM | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Utah Football starting safety Sione Vaki has been named the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week after playing both ways in Utah's 34-14 win over Cal, excelling at both safety and running back.
Vaki, who has played in 20 games with 11 starts at safety, gave Utah an offensive spark on Saturday against the Bears, finishing the game with 16 carries for 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns. It was the most rushing yards by a Pac-12 defensive back in the league's recorded history and was also the first time that a Utah defensive back had scored two rushing touchdowns in a game since Eric Weddle punched in two against Air Force in 2006.
The 158 rushing yards ranks as the third-most by any Pac-12 player this season with his 72-yard rushing touchdown serving as the longest rush by a player in the league in 2023. It marked the 35th time in Utah's Pac-12 era that a player has rushed for 150-plus yards in a game with seven of his carries against the Bears counting as first downs.
Vaki's first reps at running back or in the wildcat were against Oregon State where he had one rush for six yards. In the last two games, Vaki has recorded 16 carries for 164 yards (10.3 ypc) while also tying for the team lead in total tackles (32) through six games.
The Antioch, Calif., native has led the Utes in tackles for loss twice and sacks once this season, also returning a kickoff against Florida for 16 yards. He has now led the Utes in four different categories this season (rushing yards vs. Cal, total tackles at Oregon State, tackles for loss vs. Weber State and at Oregon State, sacks vs. Weber State).
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
The Utes are headed to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans on Saturday, Oct. 21. The game is set for a 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT kick on FOX.
Vaki, who has played in 20 games with 11 starts at safety, gave Utah an offensive spark on Saturday against the Bears, finishing the game with 16 carries for 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns. It was the most rushing yards by a Pac-12 defensive back in the league's recorded history and was also the first time that a Utah defensive back had scored two rushing touchdowns in a game since Eric Weddle punched in two against Air Force in 2006.
The 158 rushing yards ranks as the third-most by any Pac-12 player this season with his 72-yard rushing touchdown serving as the longest rush by a player in the league in 2023. It marked the 35th time in Utah's Pac-12 era that a player has rushed for 150-plus yards in a game with seven of his carries against the Bears counting as first downs.
Vaki's first reps at running back or in the wildcat were against Oregon State where he had one rush for six yards. In the last two games, Vaki has recorded 16 carries for 164 yards (10.3 ypc) while also tying for the team lead in total tackles (32) through six games.
The Antioch, Calif., native has led the Utes in tackles for loss twice and sacks once this season, also returning a kickoff against Florida for 16 yards. He has now led the Utes in four different categories this season (rushing yards vs. Cal, total tackles at Oregon State, tackles for loss vs. Weber State and at Oregon State, sacks vs. Weber State).
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
The Utes are headed to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans on Saturday, Oct. 21. The game is set for a 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT kick on FOX.
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