USF’s Nichols Named Defensive Player of the Week

Deatrick Nichols after the game of his life Friday.  night vs. Cincinnati (Travis Failey/RSEN)

TAMPA, FLA. – USF sophomore cornerback Deatrick Nichols (Miami, Fla.) has been named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.

Nichols posted career highs of eight tackles and two interceptions to go with a tackle for loss in the Bulls 65-27 route of Cincinnati on Friday night. Nichols intercepted quarterback Hayden Moore on the third play of the second quarter and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown that gave the Bulls a 34-0 lead. Nichols also grabbed a fourth quarter interception ending a Cincinnati drive in USF territory.

Nichols has burst into the limelight during the conference season and has three interceptions in his last two games. He has posted seven or more tackles in four of the last seven games and is averaging 6.1 tackles per game over that span with 6.0 tackles for loss and three interceptions.

The honor marks the second straight week and USF player has been honored by

Marlon Mack turns the corner. Mack had 107 yards on 20 carries. Earlier this year here vs.Memphis (Travis Failey / RSEN file photo)

College Sports Madness. Marlon Mack was named the Offensive Player of the Week after running for 230 yards and two touchdowns vs. Temple.

Nichols’ two interceptions vs. Cincinnati were part of a season-best four for USF, which also recovered two fumbles to generate a season-best six takeaways in the game. The Bulls now have 13 interceptions on the season by seven different players, marking USF’s most interceptions since posting 15 in 2010. Nichols leads USF with four interceptions and is tied for team lead with four pass break-ups on the season. His 54 tackles are tied for third-most and his 8.5 tackles for loss also rank third on the team. Nichols also is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

USF (7-4; 5-2 American), winner of six of its last seven games, will finish off the regular season at UCF (0-11; 0-7 American) on Thanksgiving night with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN. The Bulls stand second in the East Division and need a win and a Temple (9-2; 6-1 American) loss vs. UConn (6-5; 4-3 American) Saturday night in Philadelphia to reach to inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship game played on Dec. 5.

The USF Football program is in its 19^th season overall and 16^th at the FBS level. The Bulls have made six bowl appearances, including every season between 2005-10, and have four bowl game victories. USF has produced 14 All-America selections, 25 NFL Draft picks and reached the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press Poll in 2007.

Follow  @USFFootball on twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.

– #GoBulls –