On Monday, Virginia Tech defensive end TyJuan Garbutt was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after his outstanding game against Boston College.
The redshirt senior from Fredericksburg, Va. harassed the Eagles' front all throughout Tech's 27-10 win. He finished with three tackles, all for a loss, including one sack. Garbutt also recorded a pass breakup when he batted a pass down at the line of scrimmage, forced a fumble and hurried Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec four times.
"I’m very proud of him," Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry said of Garbutt. "He’s been battling a minor injury and his practice time has been limited. But he’s a talented guy. He’s instinctive. He’s got good pass rush abilities. We’re going to need that moving forward."
"“I felt like I played like a dog that ain’t ate in three days," Garbutt said. "Go mess with a dog that didn’t eat in three days, it might bite your hand."
Saturday marked the second career game for Garbutt with three tackles for loss. The other instance was Tech's 2018 loss at Pitt. As a whole, the Hokies sacked Jurkovec five times and combined for 10 tackles for loss. They also held the Eagles to four rushing yards on 26 carries.
Garbutt redshirted in 2017 as a true freshman before a solid campaign in 2018. He posted 31 tackles in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019 with 10 total tackles for loss. During the COVID season in 2020, he missed the early portion of the season to be with his ailing father.
Last season, Garbutt looked like his old self again. He had 30 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks over 13 games, 11 of which he started. Pry and defensive line coach J.C. Price raved about the veteran throughout the spring and summer, and he certainly had an impact against Boston College.
The Hokies currently rank first in the FBS in third down conversion defense (13.3%), fourth in rushing defense (44.0 yards per game) and fifth in total defense (202 ypg). Tech (1-1, 1-0 ACC) hosts Wofford (0-2, 0-1 SoCon) on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET in Lane Stadium on the ACC Network.