We are getting to the end of the regular season. For some teams, the marks their stars make in a game can be the difference between making post-season play and not making it. With that in mind here are the ACC Players of the Week for Week 13.
Quarterback of the Week
Fernando Mendoza of Cal was the winning quarterback in The Big Game with Stanford. While ACC fans may be just getting used to the intricacies of Cal and Stanford in the conference, West Coast fans know this game is everything to these two schools. It matters more than any other game on the schedule. Mendoza was 25 of 36 passes for 299 yards in Cal’s 24-21 come-from-behind win. He threw for three touchdown passes which tied a career high for him.
Running Back of the Week
Clemson’s Jay Haynes ran for a career-high 118 yards on just five carries. He also had two touchdown runs in the game against The Citadel. This was the fourth time in school history in which a running back ran for at least 100 yards on five or fewer carries.
Receiver of the Week
Eli Pancol of Duke caught five passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the three-point win over Virginia Tech. That matched the school single-game record with two touchdown catches that were of at least 50-yards, (one was 86-yards, and the second was 77-yards).
Offensive Lineman of the Week
This goes to Ozzy Trapilo of Boston College. The Eagles’ right tackle helped anchor an offensive line that played a role in BC getting 228 rushing yards and 192 passing yards in the 20-point win over North Carolina. That 420 total yards was a season-best for BC. Trapilo graded out at 85.9 in pass blocking.
Defensive Lineman of the Week
Donovan Ezeiruaku is already considered one of the best defensive linemen in the conference. Saturday he had a season-high seven sacks in the 41-21 Boston College win over North Carolina. He also had six tackles and four quarterback hurries. The Tar Geels had only 36 net yards of rushing.
Linebacker of the Week
Stanquan Clark of Louisville got his first two career interceptions. He also had seven total tackles in the win over Pitt. It was the first time all season any Louisville player has had multiple interceptions in a game.
Defensive Back of the Week
The Miami Hurricanes and Wake Forest Demon Deacons were in a tight game. That is until Mishel Powell intercepted a pass and ran it back 76 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest interception return in two seasons. Miami’s defense held Wake Forest to only 193 total yards in the game. Miami also shut out Wake Forest in the second half.
Specialist of the Week
Georgia Tech placekicker Aidan Birr made all three of his field goal attempts and all three PATs in the Yellowjackets’ one-point win over North Carolina State. Birr’s 12 points proved to be critical in the GA Tech win. He also had five touchbacks on six kickoffs.
Rookie of the Week
Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Phil has been splitting time with Haynes King for several weeks. Saturday in the 30-29 win over North Carolina State, he had career highs in passing yards with 265, rushing yards with 57, and total offense with 322.
