Georgia Tech Football: Jamal Haynes, Keylan Rutledge Land ACC Player of the Week Awards

Jamal Haynes and Keylan Rutledge were vital in the Yellow Jackets win over North Carolina on Saturday

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) is hoisted in the air after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech went on the road and defeated North Carolina this past Saturday and a huge reason for that was the Yellow Jackets ground game. Two of the players leading the way for Georgia Tech was running back Jamal Haynes and offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge and for their efforts on Saturday, they earned ACC Running Back of the Week and ACC Offensive Lineman of The Week, respectively.

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞: Week 7

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— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 14, 2024

Haynes rushed for a career-high 170 yards in the victory, including one of college football’s signature plays of the season to date, a 68-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds to go in the game that broke a 34-34 tie and lifted the Yellow Jackets to the thrilling win. Haynes’ 170 yards came on just 19 carries (8.9 avg.) and included a pair of scores with a 4-yard touchdown to go along with the game-winning 68-yarder.

Haynes’ 170 yards at UNC came on the heels of him matching his previous career high with 128 yards on ground the previous week versus Duke. With 298 yards over the last two games, Haynes has moved to fifth in the ACC with 536 rushing yards this season. He also ranks second in the ACC and 18th nationally with seven rushing touchdowns and eight total touchdowns on the season. His 298 rushing yards in October lead the ACC and rank third nationally.

Rutledge helped pave the way for Haynes’ 170 yards on the ground and the Yellow Jackets’ 371 rushing yards as a team, including a key block on Haynes’ game-winning touchdown run. Behind Rutledge – the Yellow Jackets’ right guard – and the rest of Tech’s offensive front, the Jackets posted their highest rushing total in nearly four years, dating back to a 377-yard rushing performance against Duke on Nov. 28, 2020. Tech averaged 7.7 yards per rush in the dominant ground performance at UNC and also did not allow a sack against the Tar Heels.

For the season, Rutledge has not surrendered a sack and allowed just two quarterback hurries in 206 pass plays according to Pro Football Focus, good for a 99.2% efficiency pass-blocking efficiency rating. On the ground, Rutledge has helped Georgia Tech rush for 204.4 yards per game, good for tops in the ACC and 25th nationally. The Jackets have rushed for a whopping 616 yards over the past two games (245 vs. Duke on Oct. 5 to go along with the 371 yards at UNC).

Georgia Tech faces No. 12 Notre Dame this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.