Running back Devon Achane named SEC Offensive Player of the Week

The new Tiger King.

A surefire selection, junior running back Devon Achane was named the Southeastern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week for his career night on Saturday vs. then-No. 5 LSU at Kyle Field.

Despite missing the last two games after battling a foot injury and only returning to practice last Wednesday, the Missouri City native posted a remarkable 215 yards on 38 carries — both personal bests — and two touchdowns as he eclipsed the 1,000 rushing yard milestone for the first time in his career. His outing also marked the first 200-yard rushing game by an Aggie since Isaiah Spiller did so against UTSA in 2019.

Achane slayed the Tigers on the ground as he made a living penetrating through the middle and often breaking through tackles to extend his gains. Achane’s impact on the Aggie offense was evident early on as he accumulated 54 yards in the team’s best opening drive of the season that resulted in a 10-yard touchdown rush by the speedster. 

Overall, he collected two rushes for 20 yards or more, including a 29-yard run to help set up a touchdown by Donovan Green that put the Aggies ahead before halftime, 17-10. Flaunting a rare balance of power and speed, Achane later found the end zone again in the fourth to earn the eighth multi-touchdown game of his career.

“He's a very versatile guy. That's his greatness,” A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said of Achane postgame. “It's his speed, but it's his natural instincts to play the game and his versatility to block, to run, to catch, to catch it down the field, to return. He can do everything on the football field.

“And he's a tremendous and very humble human being. Amazingly humble.”

Achane is no stranger to POTW honors after being named Special Teams Player of the Week for housing a 96-yard kickoff return vs. Alabama last October and Freshman of the Week for his performance vs. South Carolina in 2020. Through 10 games this year, Achane amassed 1,102 rushing yards on 196 attempts and eight touchdowns.

“I had a great performance, and I also want to congratulate my O-line, everybody who was on,” Achane said. “All the 11 guys on the field. Just like I say, it's not just me out there. It's the whole team.”

Whether or not Achane elects to enter the NFL Draft and forgo his senior season, Saturday’s ending proved to be something he won’t forget anytime soon. 

“It was very special,” Achane added. “Like I said, I don't even know how many pictures I took on the way to the locker room. Just basically everybody wishing me just a lot of love. Everybody just enjoying the moment.”