There is a change in the ACC Players of the Week. Eli Holstein is not the Rookie of the Week for the first time in four weeks. Of course, Pitt did not play this last weekend, so there is that. So we move forward with the others for the ACC Player of the Week categories.
Quarterback of the Week
Miami’s Cam Ward is making a Heisman statement every week. He threw for 342 yards and four touchdowns in Miami’s comeback win over Virginia Tech Friday night. The Canes needed every bit of it as it took an overturned official’s call on the last play of the game to secure the victory. Ward also ran for 57 yards and a score.
Running Back of the Week
Star Thomas from Duke is this week’s winner. The Blue Devils came back from 20 down to beat North Carolina. Thomas had 166 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. He also two receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Receiver of the Week
Jackson Meeks of Syracuse set a career-high with 10 catches and 161 yards with a touchdown in the win over Holy Cross. He got the impressive numbers in just three quarters of play. He sat out most of the fourth quarter as it was a blowout win for the Orange.
Defensive Lineman of the Week
Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku had 14 tackles, three sacks, and four tackles for loss in the comeback win over Western Kentucky. His third sack was a strip sack, recovered by BC. It set up the eventual winning score. Ezeiruaku currently leads the country in total sacks with eight.
Linebacker of the Week
Kobe Wilson played a critical role in SMU’s first-ever ACC win. He picked off a pass and returned it 82 yards for the touchdown in the win over Florida State. He also had a team-high seven tackles.
Defensive Back of the Week
DK Kaufman of North Carolina State had a scoop and score in the 24-17 win over Northern Illinois. He had a strip-sack of NIU’s quarterback, and picked up the loose ball, returning it for a touchdown. It was his second score of the season.
Specialist of the Week
John Love of Virginia Tech hit field goals of 57 and 52 yards in the loss at Miami. They were his first kicks of more than 52 yards. It was also the first time a VA Tech kicker hit two field goals of more than 50 in the same game since 1972.
Rookie of the Week
No Holstein means we make room for Micah Ford from Stanford. The running back had 122 yards on 15 carries. It was the first time a Stanford freshman ran for more than 100 yards since 2001.
*The ACC did not present an Offensive Lineman of the Week this week.
