Boyd named ACC Player of the Year

by CU Athletic Communications - Wed Nov 28 13:03:50 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON, SC - Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd Tajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile was named the overall Player of the Year and the Offensive Player of the Year in the Atlantic Coast Conference on Wednesday. Earlier Boyd was named first-team All-ACC for the second straight year and is the first Clemson quarterback to be a two-time first-team selection since Steve Fuller in 1977 and 1978.

Fuller was ACC Player of the Year in both of those seasons and Boyd is the first Clemson quarterback to win ACC Player of the Year since Fuller in 1978.

Boyd is the seventh different Clemson player to win the ACC Player of the Year award, the second in the last four years, as C.J. SpillerC.J. Spiller
Pro Running Back
#28 5-11, 195
Lake Butler, FL
View Full Profile , now a running back with the Buffalo Bills, won the award in 2009. But, before Spiller you have to go back to Michael Dean Perry in 1987.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of Tajh Boyd," said Clemson Head Coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile . "He has had a terrific year in leading us to a second straight 10-win season. It has been 25 years since a starting quarterback has done that.

"He has broken just about every record out there to the point where he is breaking his own records. I really believe he is the best quarterback in the nation. This award means a lot to him because he has great respect for the players and teams in this league. He has also been a great leader all season. He is very deserving."

Boyd led the ACC in passing efficiency (168.5), total offense (336.8), yards per pass attempt (9.42), touchdown passes (34) and touchdowns rushing and passing (43). He had three games in which he threw five touchdown passes and had six 300-yard passing games. He set a Clemson record with 529 yards of total offense against NC State, and broke the ACC mark for touchdowns rushing and passing with eight in that same game.

Boyd is in his second year as a starter and has taken the Tigers to consecutive 10 win seasons, the first Clemson quarterback to do that since 1987-88 when Rodney Williams quarterbacked the Tigers to consecutive 10-2 seasons. Boyd is now seventh in Clemson history in wins with 20.

Boyd's 168.5 passing efficiency is a Clemson record and on pace to be the fourth best season in ACC history. His 34 touchdown passes have also tied the ACC record set by Philip Rivers, who had 34 in 2003.

Earlier on Wednesday, Boyd was named first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, the first ACC quarterback to make first-team All-American on any team since Matt Ryan of Boston College in 2007.

ACC PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson (20)

Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina (19)

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson (2)

Cornellius Carradine, DE, Florida State (2)

Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State (1)

ACC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson (22)

Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina (21)

EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State (2)

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson (1)

Clemson's ACC Player of the Year Selections