Category Archives: Player of the Week

ACC Football Goat of the Week, Week 13: EJ Manuel, Florida State

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After Accounting for Four Turnovers Against Rival Florida, EJ Manuel is the ACC’s Goat of the Week for Week 13

No one enjoys piling on when things go wrong. But nonetheless, we’ve got to call out the ACC players who were counter-productive in helping their teams grab a victory this weekend. On the bright side for them, they can always get off this list next week. And for their sake, let’s hope they do.

ACC Goat of the Week, Week 13: EJ Manuel, QB/Florida State

All of the praise about his improved accuracy and decision-making this season? Apparently gone for EJ Manuel after his disastrous performance against Florida this past weekend. Called on as the Noles’ senior leader in their biggest game of the season to-date, Manuel literally dropped the ball, accounting for four turnovers on the day in a disappointing loss. Worst of all, the team’s “hero” had no choice but to own up to his faults immediately following the game, taking all the blame for a disastrous showing. At times, Jimbo Fisher’s been the target of scorn for his play-calling (you can certainly direct some criticism here as well), but it really was Manuel that should take the brunt of it here. When one of the worst games of your career (54.5-percent passing, 182 yards, one score, four turnovers) also happens to be one of your last, it’s just hard to avoid.

Honorable Mention:

Chase Rettig, QB/Boston College (16/45 passing, 123 yards, 3 INT)

Duke Blue Devils defense (allowed 52 points, 646 yards of offense)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense (allowed 42 points, 379 yards of offense in just 20 minutes of possession)

Michael Rocco, QB/Virginia (14/29 passing, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT — game-deciding pick with 3:21 remaining)

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ACC Football Player of the Week, Week 13: Sean Renfree, Duke

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Duke QB Sean Renfree Was the ACC Player of the Week for Week 13

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 13: Sean Renfree, QB/Duke

While Renfree’s team failed to win the last regular season game of Renfree’s career, that fact is far from his fault. The senior threw 36 passes for 432 yards and four touchdowns, all with zero turnovers in their tough loss to Miami on Saturday. In an odd way, it’s sort of indicative of his entire career at Duke, too. When looking at the losses they’ve piled up during Renfree’s time as the starter, it’s a rarity to view him as culpable, and more often than not, he was putting up numbers like this in the process. Obviously, it doesn’t excuse this defeat, nor the free-fall the Blue Devils have experienced since getting to bowl eligibility at 6-2, but it’s worth noting the quarterback’s consistent effort in the face of superior opponents and a lagging defense on his own side. I’d also be remiss not to mention his 99-yard touchdown connection with Jamison Crowder on Saturday (no video unfortunately), which ended up being the longest play in school history.

Honorable Mention:

Bryn Renner, WR/North Carolina (28/39 passing, 305 yards, 5 TD)

Jamison Crowder, WR/Duke (8 catches, 203 yards, 2 TD)

Bjoern Werner, DE/Florida State (6 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery)

Duke Johnson, RB/Miami (277 all-purpose yards, 3 TD)

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ACC Football Goat of the Week, Week 12: University of Maryland

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After Officially Announcing Their Departure From the ACC, the University of Maryland is This Week’s Goat

No one enjoys piling on when things go wrong. But nonetheless, we’ve got to call out the ACC players who were counter-productive in helping their teams grab a victory this weekend. On the bright side for them, they can always get off this list next week. And for their sake, let’s hope they do.

ACC Goat of the Week, Week 12: University of Maryland

I won’t make this overly bitter, because I’m honestly not overly bitter. Maryland ran its athletic department at a loss for far too long, and this was a way to remedy the issue. Anytime you can double the amount of money you take home, it’s a worthwhile decision, so for that, I commend the university. But it still results in a negative outcome for the ACC, which is why they end up listed here. With luck, the conference can soon make its decision on who will replace the Terps and then everything can continue as normal, with no additional defections. But until that point, this is rough for the ACC. Despite the fact that the conference may very well finish with two teams in the BCS top 10, and will subsequently send them to lucrative bowl games, there’s now a glaring black-eye on the year. And it has nothing to do with what happened on the field (which was its own respective disaster, outside of Clemson and Florida State‘s respective seasons). More than anything, it’s just a shame to see them go.

Honorable Mention:

Chase Rettig, QB/Boston College (13/30 passing, 129 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons offense (209 total yards)

Maryland Terrapins rushing attack (20 attempts, 66 yards)

Duke Blue Devils defense (allowed 42 points, 330 rushing yards)

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ACC Football Player of the Week, Week 12: Tajh Boyd, Clemson

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With an 8-TD Performance on Saturday, Tajh Boyd Takes Home This Week’s Top Honors

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 12: Tajh Boyd, QB/Clemson

What’s left to be said about the standout junior after yet another dominating performance? Remembering last year’s brutal upset at the hands of NC State, Boyd and Clemson came out firing this weekend, and had to keep their foot on the gas throughout in order to hold back the Wolfpack. And while it was Tiger defensive stops that would make the difference come the end, all the praise will ultimately go to Boyd for the record-breaking performance he put on. Adding to his stellar resume, the Clemson QB went 30-for-44 for 426 passing yards and five scores, and then added another 103 rushing yards and three touchdowns to boot. The eight touchdowns were both school and ACC records, and yet another glowing accomplishment for Boyd, who’s made a habit of huge stat lines this year. And yet, he’s not even on the Davey O’Brien Award (for the nation’s best quarterback) list of finalists. Over 3,500 total yards and 41 touchdowns. On a major-conference team. Unacceptable.

Honorable Mention:

Tobais Palmer, WR/NC State (496 all-purpose yards, 3 TD)

Alec Lemon, WR/Syracuse (12 catches, 244 yards, 2 TD; incl. go-ahead score with 20 seconds left)

Ryan Nassib, QB/Syracuse (26/40 passing, 385 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT)

Mike Glennon, QB/NC State (29/53 passing, 493 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT)

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ACC Footbal Goat of the Week, Week 11: Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

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After His Game-Clinching Interception Last Thursday, Logan Thomas is our Goat of the Week for Week 11

No one enjoys piling on when things go wrong. But nonetheless, we’ve got to call out the ACC players who were counter-productive in helping their teams grab a victory this weekend. On the bright side for them, they can always get off this list next week. And for their sake, let’s hope they do.

ACC Goat of the Week, Week 11: Logan Thomas, QB/Virginia Tech

Gifted with the opportunity to take a late lead over Florida State with just a field goal, Logan Thomas and the Tech offense were content with just that — leaving far too much time on the clock for FSU to erase the 22-20 deficit. Then, when given an opportunity to lead his own comeback drive, down 28-22, Thomas did something fairly characteristic of his season as a whole: threw a game-clinching interception. While the passer had his moments of excellence throughout the game, they end up overshadowed by his two interceptions and inability to close out a game-winning drive. His accuracy, never sterling, has plummeted to just under 54 percent on the season. After being looked at by some as a top-10 draft pick, there’s little doubt Thomas will now be returning for his senior year following this disastrous campaign.

Honorable Mention:

Tanner Price, QB/Wake Forest (18/33 passing, 113 yards, 1 INT)

North Carolina Tar Heels defense (allowed 68 points, 588 total yards of offense)

Ray Graham/Rushel Shell, RBs/Pittsburgh (combined 21 carries for 64 yards rushing, 0 TD)

Shawn Petty, QB/Maryland (6/12 passing, 41 yards, 1 TD, 3 lost fumbles)

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ACC Football Player of the Week, Week 11: Michael Rocco, Virginia

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Virginia QB Michael Rocco is the ACC Player of the Week for Week 11

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 11: Michael Rocco, QB/Virginia

Considering what a mess this year has been for UVa and Rocco, it’s kind of amazing we’ve arrived here. With the Hoos’ season hanging in the balance, the junior passer finally appeared to step up and own the starting role, leading his team to a thrilling 41-40 victory over Miami on Saturday. After throwing just 38 total passes over the past four weeks, Rocco went 29-of-37 in this one, for 300 yards and four touchdowns. The completions (29), completion percentage (78.4) and touchdown total (four) were all career highs, as were his 18 consecutive completions during the game, but the focus should truly be on the final drive of the game. Down 40-35 with about two-and-a-half minutes remaining, Rocco led a 16-play, 87-yard drive culminating in a Jake McGee touchdown grab with just six seconds left on the clock. Obviously both the team and its quarterback have plenty of work to do if they truly hope to salvage the 2012 season, but this weekend, they took a definitive step in the right direction.

Honorable Mention:

Alec Lemon, WR/Syracuse (9 catches, 176 yards, 2 TD)

Ryan Nassib, QB/Syracuse (15/23 passing, 246 yards, 3 TD)

Rashad Greene, WR/Florida State (6 catches, 125 yards, 2 TD)

Duke Johnson, RB/Miami (368 all-purpose yards, 1 TD, 1 TD pass)

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ACC Football Goat of the Week, Week 10: Duke Blue Devils Defensive Backs

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After Giving Up 56 Points on Saturday, Duke’s Defensive Backs are the Goats of the Week for Week 10

No one enjoys piling on when things go wrong. But nonetheless, we’ve got to call out the ACC players who were counter-productive in helping their teams grab a victory this weekend. On the bright side for them, they can always get off this list next week. And for their sake, let’s hope they do.

ACC Goat of the Week, Week 10: Duke Blue Devils Defensive Backs

For the second straight week, Duke found itself completely outgunned, but this time around, the only group to blame is the secondary. They allowed 344 yards on just 16 completions. Five touchdown passes from Clemson‘s Tajh Boyd, who was basically just playing pitch-and-catch with his receivers. And 42 points (!!) allowed in the first half. Ross Cockrell and Lee Butler have been key parts of the defensive resurgence for the Blue Devils, but efforts like the last two Saturdays show there’s still plenty of work to be done. As a team, you should know all about Clemson’s speedy receivers well in advance, and have a gameplan to at least contain them a bit, since you’re surely not going to slow them down. This was the opposite of that.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Harper, K/Pittsburgh (Missed game-winning field goal in overtime)

Chase Rettig, QB/Boston College (29/49 passing, 357 yards, 1 TD, 4 turnovers)

Mike Glennon, QB/NC State (23/46 passing, 197 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, safety on intentional grounding call)

Logan Thomas, QB/Virginia Tech (19/37 passing, 323 total yards, 1 TD, 3 turnovers)

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