Trevor Etienne named Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida sophomore running back Trevor Etienne joins teammate Jordan Castell as the second Gator to be recognized for a national award after Florida’s victory over Tennessee.
Etienne has been named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week as announced by the NCFAA on Tuesday afternoon. Castell earned Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week honors earlier in the day.
The Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week Award is an extension of the Doak Walker Running Back of the Year Award which honors the nation’s most outstanding collegiate running back since 1989.
Etienne led the Gators in rushing in their 29-16 win on Saturday, setting career highs in carries (23) and yards (172) for an average yards per carry of 7.5. It marked the third 100-yard rushing game of Etienne’s career and his first of this season. His previous career high was 129 yards against Florida State on November 25, 2022.
“I knew this game was going to be physical, and we were going to have to play hard. And I wanted to keep our offense out of those tough play calling downs, keep us from being backed up,” Etienne said afterward. “Running backs, we had to run the ball hard. So that was our goal each and every play.”
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Etienne’s performance was highlighted by a 62-yard touchdown in which he hit the hole, broke a would-be tackler and won the foot race to the endzone. This play electrified a packed Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and opened Florida’s scoring for the night.
“It was a critical point in the game,” Etienne said of his TD run. “I feel like we needed a big play to get the offense going, and it just happened to be me that made the play. And I was just thankful for that. But I felt like that really set the tone of the confidence on our sideline.”
In addition to the 62-yard touchdown, Etienne recorded five other explosive plays during Saturday’s action: 12-yard rush (Q1), 15-yard rush (Q2), 13-yard rush (Q2), 19-yard rush (Q4), and another 19-yard rush (Q4). He accounted for six of Florida’s eight explosive plays in the game.
Pro Football Focus graded Etienne’s performance as the second best on the team at a 75.1. Click here to check out the full grades for Florida’s players against Tennessee.
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