There were some fantastic individual performances in the ACC this past weekend, plus plenty of competition for the biggest disappointment of the week.
With respect to FSU's Bioern Werner, UNC's Romar Morris, FSU QB E.J. Manuel, Clemson's Sammy Watkins, and N.C. State's Mike Glennon, here is this week's Honor Roll:
High Fives
Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech – The senior quarterback completed 6 of 8 pass attempts for 125 yards and a score, and ran the ball 11 times for 93 yards and three scores in a 56-20 pummeling of visiting Virginia. Washington also engineered most of Tech's 594-yard output.
Orwin Smith, Georgia Tech – The senior tailback ran just six times but gained 137 yards and scored a touchdown on a 77-yard explosion in a 36-point rout of Virginia at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Smith also caught a pass for 10 yards.
Bryn Renner, North Carolina – Despite a terrible first half for the Tar Heels, Renner nearly led UNC back from a 36-7 deficit before losing at Louisville, 39-34. Renner completed 26 of 41 pass attempts for 363 yards and five touchdowns. He barely missed a sixth TD pass with just over a minute left that may have given UNC the win.
Quayshawn Nealy, Georgia Tech – The sophomore linebacker had 10 tackles plus intercepted a pass in the Yellow Jackets' 56-20 bombing of Virginia. Nealy also registered a tackle for a loss of yardage bad was instrumental in setting a defensive tone in the game.
Tajh Boyd, Clemson – The Tigers' QB completed 20 of 29 pass attempts for 310 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-7 beating of FCS member Furman. It isn't that the Paladins presented tremendous resistance, but Boyd being sharp and focused with the FSU game looking next week is a terrific sign.
Disappointment of the Week
Virginia Tech – There is no way Frank Beamer can explain his way out of what happened in falling 35-17 at Pittsburgh, a team that was 0-2 with a pair of embarrassing losses. One of those defeats was to FCS member Youngstown State. Pitt dominated in every aspect of the game.
Player of the Week
Chris Thompson, Florida State – The senior tailback ran nine times for 197 yards and two touchdowns in FSU's 52-0 romp over Wake Forest. Thompson's performance, which included an 80-yard scoring run, is a wonderful story given how far he's come back from a terrible injury. His early run also infused his team big-time after a sluggish first couple of series.
Coach of the Week
Jimbo Fisher, Florida State – Fisher and the staff made sure there was no way on earth the Seminoles would overlook a capable Wake Forest team, and eventually manhandled the Demon Deacons 52-0. Wake came into the game having won four of the last six games in the series, but FSU made a statement Saturday.
