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Two sacks, forced fumble in win over Virginia Tech

Oct. 3, 2006

DALLAS (FWAA) - Georgia Tech middle linebacker Philip Wheeler has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games the week of Sept. 30.

Wheeler, a junior from Columbus, Ga., was the defensive star in Georgia Tech's 38-27 road victory over Virginia Tech. He had eight tackles - 2.5 for loss, including two sacks for 22 yards in losses. His forced fumble proved to be one of the key plays of the game.

Trailing 24-13 at the beginning of the second half, Virginia Tech drove to midfield before Wheeler came on a blitz and sacked quarterback Sean Glennon, who fumbled. The Yellow Jackets' Gary Guyton scooped up the ball and ran for a touchdown to give Georgia Tech a 38-13 lead.

Wheeler, who was also named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, is Georgia Tech's leading tackler with 35. He leads the ACC and ranks eighth nationally with 8.5 tackles for loss, and he shares the ACC lead with four sacks. He also has one fumble recovery.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 4 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 900 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C. region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches.