ACC Football Players of the Week |
OFFENSIVE BACK
Duke’s Chris Douglas (Sherrills Ford, N.C.) led Duke to a 41-17 win over Georgia Tech. Against the Yellow Jacket defense that entered the game ranking 1st in the ACC and 16th nationally in rushing defense (averaging 94.8 yards per game & 2.9 yards per attempt), the 5-11, 195-pound senior gained a career-high 218 yards on 30 attempts while scoring two touchdowns. The 218-yard performance marked his third straight 100-yard game, his fifth of the season and the ninth of his career. The tailback averaged 7.3 yards per carry while matching his career-high of 30 rushing attempts. Douglas’ 218 yards moved him just 11 yards shy of becoming Duke's all-time leading rusher with 2,941 career yards and marked the third-highest single-game rushing total in Duke history. OFFENSIVE LINE Duke’s Rusty Wilson (Britton, Mich.) graded out a team-high 91 percent while playing 76 total snaps (68 offense & 8 special teams) in the Blue Devils’ 41-17 win over Georgia Tech. The 6-3, 320-pound outside guard helped open holes for Chris Douglas to rush 30 times for 218 yards while the Blue Devil offense rushed for a team total of 253 yards. Wilson also helped the Duke offense average 6.3 yards per play and was instrumental in Duke's red zone offense. The Blue Devils entered the game converting just 60% of their red zone opportunities into scores, but responded against Georgia Tech with three touchdowns and one field goal in their four chances (100%). DEFENSIVE LINE Clemson linebacker Leroy Hill (Haddock, Ga.) had ten tackles in the Tigers’ 26-10 win over Florida State. Hill played 66 of the 69 snaps on defense and also had a tackle for loss and an interception. The 6-1, 205 pound junior’s interception of a tipped pass came in Clemson territory and allowed the Tigers to continue to hold the momentum in the third period. Hill was a major reason Clemson allowed the Seminoles just 11 yards rushing and ten points, a season low in both areas. DEFENSIVE BACK Clemson’s Tye Hill (St. George, S.C.) set the tone for the Tigers’ 26-10 win over Florida State when he had an interception at the Clemson 28 yard line on Florida State's second possession of the game. The 5-10, 175-pound sophomore had four tackles for his 69 plays and played every snap. The corner back also had another pass deflection late in the game. Hill was largely responsible for holding Florida State to just five yards per pass through three quarters, while Clemson amassed a 23-3 lead. SPECIALIST North Carolina’s Michael Waddell (Ellerbe, N.C.) blocked two kicks, including a 31-yard field goal and a point-after attempt that was returned by the Tar Heels for two points in UNC’s 42-34 win over Wake Forest. The 5-11, 183-pound corner back became the first Tar Heel to block two kicks in one game since Andre Purvis blocked a pair of punts against Tulane in 1993. Waddell's field goal block came on the game's opening drive after Wake Forest was stalled at the North Carolina 13-yard line. Following a Deacon touchdown in the second quarter, Waddell blocked Wake's extra point attempt and the ball was scooped up by Lionell Green who raced 91 yards for two points. According to available North Carolina records, it is the first time in school history that an extra point has been blocked and then returned for two points. ROOKIE North Carolina’s Ronnie McGill (Clover, S.C.) rushed for 244 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns in Carolina's 42-34 victory over Wake Forest. The 5-11, 209-pound tailback's 244 yards is the sixth-highest single-game total in the country this season and the most by any player in the ACC this year. It is also the third-highest single-game total by a North Carolina freshman and the ninth-highest single-game total in school history. McGill, who had just 20 yards rushing at halftime, set a school record with 224 yards rushing in the second half, including a 66-yard run that set up a Carolina field goal.
Upgrade Your Account
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now
