CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Adams and Polite Named ACC Players of the Week


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OFFENSIVE BACK - Joe Hamilton (QB) Georgia Tech

For the second time this season, Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton has been tabbed as the ACC Offensive Back of the Week. A 5-10, 189-pound senior out of Alvin, S.C., Hamilton set a school record with 474 yards of total offense to lead the ninth-ranked Yellow Jackets to a 49-31 victory over previously unbeaten Maryland. Hamilton passed for 387 yards¯tying the career high he set against Florida State¯and three touchdowns while completing 19 of 31 passes. He also rushed for 87 yards on 13 carries, including a 41-yard touchdown run.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - Jason Whitaker (G) Florida State

Whitaker, a 6-5, 300-pound senior from Panama City, Fla., graded out at a team-best 95 percent on the day and helped the Seminole offense to 509 yards of total offense in a 51-23 win over Duke. Whitaker did not allow a sack or get called for a penalty and was credited with four pancake blocks and five cut blocks.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN - Keith Adams (LB) Clemson

Adams, a sophomore from College Park, Ga., tied an all-time Clemson single game record with five tackles for loss in a 31-20 win over North Carolina. He had five tackles for loss for 19 yards, including two sacks for 12 yards. Adams led the Tigers in tackles with 16, including 10 first hits. He also had three quarterback pressures in the game and was a major reason North Carolina had just 113 yards rushing and just 275 yards of total offense. For the year, Adams now leads the ACC in tackles for loss with 14 and is on pace to break the Clemson single season record of 27.

DEFENSIVE BACK - Dextra Polite (CB) Clemson

Polite, a senior cornerback from Moultrie, Ga., had one interception, caused another and was prime reason North Carolina was just 12-29 passing in Clemson's 31-20 victory last Saturday. Polite intercepted a pass in the first quarter that led to Clemson's first touchdown. Polite also had a tackle for loss for seven yards, two passes broken up and four total tackles in helping the Tigers hold North Carolina to just 162 yards passing in 29 attempts.

SPECIALIST - Guilian Gary (WR) Maryland

Gary, a sophomore punt returner from Horseheads, N.Y., returned first career kickoff 84 yards to set up a touchdown in last Thursday's loss at Georgia Tech. In addition, Gary averaged 12.0 yards on three punt returns versus the Yellow Jackets, totaling 36 punt return yards. Also tied career highs for receptions (3) and receiving yards (46).

ROOKIE - Greg Gathers (DE) Georgia Tech

Gathers, one of two true freshmen to start for Georgia Tech's defense, had four tackles for loss in Georgia Tech's 49-31 victory over previously unbeaten Maryland. The 6-1, 249-pound Gathers was responsible for 13 yards in losses as he helped Tech hold the Terrapins to 89 yards rushing. He made six tackles in the game and also had one quarterback pressure

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