Virginia’s Washington, Jackson grab ACC Player of the Week honors

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Two Cavaliers who played major roles in Virginia’s upset of No. 10 North Carolina on Saturday night have been named as ACC Players of the week at their respective positions — wide receiver Malik Washington and linebacker James Jackson.

It was Jackson, who hails from Pulaski, that picked off a Drake Maye pass with 26 seconds remaining in the game to ice the UVA win, the Cavaliers’ fifth against Carolina in the last seven meetings. Defensive end Paul Akere hammered Maye as the UNC quarterback released the pass.

Jackson registered six tackles and two QB hurries against Maye in the linebacker’s seventh start of the season. He has 49 tackles (27 solo) thus far this campaign.

Meanwhile, it was Washington’s second ACC Receiver of the Week honor this season after transferring from Northwestern to UVA. Washington hauled in the Cavaliers’ go-ahead touchdown with just under nine minutes to play. It was Washington’s fifth 100-yard receiving game this season, catching 12 passes for 115 yards.

Not only was Washington the ACC Receiver of the Week, but was also named the East-West Shrine Bowl Breakout Offensive Player of the Week.

It’s no wonder Washington has such good chemistry with UVA quarterback Tony Muskett, since the two transfers are roommates.

He is No. 4 in the nation (FBS) in receptions per game with 8.0 per contest, No. 5 in receiving yards with 783 and No. 5 in receiving yards per game with 111.9. He is tied at No. 18 nationally in touchdown catches with six.

Washington is tops in the ACC in receiving yards, receptions and receptions per game. He has now caught at least one pass in 32-straight games — the 10th-longest streak in FBS — dating back to his previous time at Northwestern.