MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho redshirt junior linebacker Charles Akanno was named the FCS National Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness, after leading the Vandals to a 35-27 victory Saturday, against No. 11 Eastern Washington. Akanno recorded career highs with nine tackles and three pass breakups to go with a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries, while assisting on a tackle for loss.
Idaho's defense bottled up the Eagles in the first half, thanks in large part to Akanno. The Inglewood, Calif., native had five tackles, two pass breakups and forced a fumble recovered by the Vandals all before halftime as Idaho held Eastern Washington just six first downs and 103 yards of offense and took a 28-0 lead into the locker room.