A season of promise for the ACC turned disappointing, capped off by its teams going 0-4 vs. rivals from the SEC on Saturday.
In
fact, Florida State, Clemson, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech lost to
Florida, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Georgia, respectively, by a
total of 87 points. Three of the games were played in ACC stadiums.
In
other games, shootouts marked a pair of games along U.S. 15-501 in
North Carolina’s Research Triangle, and the Hokies became bowl eligible
in dramatic fashion.
With respect to North Carolina State safety
Earl Wolff, quarterback Mike Glennon, cornerback Justin Burris, and
running back Shadrack Thornton, Boston College defensive back Spencer
Rositano and RB Rolandan Finch, Virginia linebackers LaRoy Reynolds and
Steve Greer, Virginia Tech LB Jack Tyler and safety Detrick Bonner,
Miami DB Denzel Perryman and RB Duke Johnson, North Carolina wide
receiver Quinshad Davis, RB Giovani Bernard, CB Terry Shankle, Maryland
RB Brandon Ross, WR Stefon Diggs and LB Lorne Goree, Wake Forest CB
Kenny Okoro, Florida State defensive end Cornellius Carradine, Clemson
LB Jonathan Willard, and Duke WR Conner Vernon, here are the best of the
ACC in Week 13:
Big Men On Campus
Sean Renfree, Duke
– On Senior Day, Renfree completed 36 of 59 pass attempts for 432
yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 52-45 losing effort to
visiting Miami. Renfree set a Duke record for pass attempts and
completions.
Bryn Renner, North Carolina – The junior
signal caller concluded a terrific season by completing 28 of 39 pass
attempts for 305 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in the Tar
Heels’ 45-38 win over Maryland. Renner, who finished the season with
3,356 yards and 28 TDs, passed the 300-yard mark in UNC’s final four
games.
Xavier Brewer, Clemson – The senior safety was in
on 12 tackles, two for a loss of yards and one for a sack, broke up two
passes and had an interception in the Tigers’ disappointing 27-17 loss
to rival South Carolina.
Nick Clancy, Boston College –
Clancy had another terrific game, as he’s strung together a bunch of
them in the second half of the season. The linebacker had 18 tackles,
forced a fumble and blocked a kick in a 27-10 loss at N.C. State.
Jamison Crowder, Duke –
The sophomore WR hauled in eight passes for 203 yards and two
touchdowns in a 52-45 home loss to visiting Miami. Crowder’s speed and
route running were keys in his getting open and making big plays.
Disappointment of the Week
Clemson –
This slot was filled by Florida State until Clemson’s supposedly
vaunted offense was shut down by South Carolina in the Tigers’ 27-17
home loss to the hated Gamecocks. Tajh Boyd struggled, the ground game
struggled and the Tigers capped off an 0-4 day for the ACC versus the
SEC. And that it happened at Death Valley makes the defeat even more
discouraging.
Player of the Week
Stephen Morris, Miami –
The junior QB closed out the season on an extremely high note by
completing 15 of 25 pass attempts for 369 yards, three touchdowns and no
interceptions in a 52-45 victory at Duke. The Hurricanes are very
young, and the manner Morris and his receivers jelled is reason for
optimism moving forward.
Coach of the Week
Al Golden, Miami –
The Hurricanes easily could have tanked Saturday’s game at Duke after
the school ripped away the team’s shot at an ACC title by opting to
self-impose a bowl ban earlier in the week for the second consecutive
season. But the Canes were ready to compete and earned a 52-45 victory
over the Blue Devils. Job well done by Golden, the staff and the senior
leaders.
