North Carolina RB Giovani Bernard is the ACC Player of the Week for Week 6

Each week, we’ll be identifying the best ACC player from that weekend’s games. As always, it’s a completely arbitrary award with no specific criteria beyond the vague concept of “excellence.” No, we don’t take write-ins.

ACC Player of the Week, Week Six: Giovani Bernard, RB/North Carolina

The best running back in the ACC finally looked like he was 100-percent back from injury on Saturday, amassing 262 yards on just 23 carries. And while Virginia Tech‘s defense surely hasn’t been as strong as past years, compiling that many yards against the Hokies is no easy feat. In fact, it’s the most rushing yards Frank Beamer’s defense has ever given up at Tech; a 26-year stretch that’s come up against several future Pro-Bowlers and Hall-of-Famers. Bernard’s day also set some personal and school records. The 262 yards was a career-high for the sophomore, plus it put him at fifth all-time on UNC’s single-game rushing list. If this is the Bernard we’re seeing for the rest of the season, the ACC’s defenses should be very concerned.

Honorable Mention:

Anthony Boone, QB/Duke (253 total yards, 4 TD)

Mike Glennon, QB/NC State (259 passing yards, 2 TD — including game-winner with under one minute to play)

Brandon Sharpe, DE/Syracuse (7 tackles, 6 tackles-for-loss, 4 sacks)

DeAndre Hopkins, WR/Clemson (7 catches, 173 yards, 2 TD)

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