THE FLATS – Georgia Tech linebacker Ayinde Eley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel) and safety Juanyeh Thomas (Niceville, Fla./Niceville) have been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Linebacker and Defensive Back of the Week, respectively, for their performances in the Yellow Jackets’ thrilling 31-27 win over Duke on Saturday.
Eley made a game-high 13 tackles in the victory, which were the most by an ACC player this week and are tied for the fifth-most by an ACC player this season. His 13 stops included teaming with defensive end Jordan Domineck for a key third-down sack that forced a punt and led to a Georgia Tech field goal that gave the Yellow Jackets a 17-7 lead in the first half.
The 13 tackles were also a career high for the graduate transfer from Maryland. Eley’s previous career high was 12 with the Terrapins versus Rutgers in 2019. His previous high as a Yellow Jacket was 11 in the season opener against Northern Illinois. For the season, Eley ranks third in the ACC and 26th nationally with 54 tackles (9.0 per game).
Thomas, a junior, also set a new career high with 11 tackles, topping his previous personal best of 10 set last season at Syracuse. However, Thomas’ 11 stops were overshadowed by his interception at the GT 20 yard line with 15 seconds remaining that ended Duke’s final drive and sealed the Jackets’ 31-27 victory.
In the clutch 🦾@STG_Yeh1 called game. #4the404 /// #PtBD pic.twitter.com/Ql3mcscvAr
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) October 10, 2021
Thomas also ranks among the ACC leaders in tackles with 42 on the season (7.0 per game – 19th in the conference). His interception versus Duke was his first of the season and fourth of his career.
Eley, Thomas and the Yellow Jackets enjoy a bye this week before returning to action on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ACC Network.
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