Sports Network
ATLANTIC DIVISION:
BOSTON COLLEGE - The Eagles fell behind early against Notre Dame and couldn't recover, falling to the Irish in Chestnut Hill this past weekend, 31-13 and ending a four-game homestand to begin the 2010 campaign. The Irish, who had lost three straight games coming into the contest, made light work of BC< which started the game with freshman Chase Rettig under center. Rettig however, was lost to an ankle injury in the second quarter and was replaced by sophomore Mike Marscovetra, who went 22-of-37 for 193 yards, with two INTs. The loss was the second straight at home for BC, marking the first time that has happened since 2003. Sophomore LB Luke Kuechly was once again a tackling machine, making it 13 straight games with double-digit stops. He surpassed 200 tackles in only his 17th career game, a Boston College record. The Eagles will hit the road for the first time this season when they travel to Raleigh this weekend for a showdown with the NC State Wolfpack.
CLEMSON - The Tigers fell behind early against nationally-ranked Miami-Florida this weekend and despite a comeback bid, Clemson fell 30-21. Clemson came into the game leading the ACC in fewest turnovers (three), but the team had trouble holding onto the football against the Hurricanes, with three fumbles and three INTs. Quarterback Kyle Parker struggled, completing just 14-of-33 passes, for 149 yards and three picks, with one fumble. Tailback Andre Ellington had a solid outing though, rushing for 107 yards and three TDs in the game. Da'Quan Bowers had a strong day defensively, recording six tackles, 4.5 TFLs and one sack. He ranks among the top-10 nationally in TFLs, with 10.5. He finished the 2009 season with 11 TFLs. The Tigers (2-2), who have lost two straight games, will attempt to right the ship in Chapel Hill this weekend, when the team takes on North Carolina.
FLORIDA STATE - Tailback Jermaine Thomas rumbled for a season-high 122 yards, leading the Seminoles to a 34-14 win over Virginia this past weekend in Charlottesville. Thomas carried the ball just 16 times, scoring twice. FSU eclipsed the 200-yard mark on the ground (256 yards) for the third straight game and are now netting an impressive 196.8 rushing per contest. Middle linebacker Kendall Smith led the way defensively, with six tackles and a forced fumble. Standout returner Greg Reid made a bigger impact as a cover corner in this game, recording a pair of interceptions. The Seminoles are now 3-1 on the season and more importantly, 2-0 in ACC action. The team will attempt to remain unbeaten in league play this weekend when the team takes on rival Miami-Florida on the road.
MARYLAND - For the second straight game, Tony Logan returned a punt for a touchdown, this one sparking a 21-16 victory over Duke this past weekend in the ACC-opener for the Terrapins (4-1). Quarterback Danny O'Brien was a miserable 9-of-26 passing, for 170 yards, but made a big play when it counted most, connecting on a 71-yard TD pass to tailback Da'Rel Scott in the fourth quarter to extend a lead that would stand up to the Blue Devils' comeback bid. The win was Maryland's 200th at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium. Ralph Friedgen also became the 13th head coach in ACC history with 70 career wins. Friedgen will have to wait a little while to pick up win number 71, as Maryland is idle this week before jumping back into conference play on October 16th at Clemson.
NC STATE - The Wolfpack raced out to a 17-0 first half lead this past weekend, but allowed Virginia Tech to score 34 second-half points in a 41-30 loss in Raleigh. The setback was the first on the season for NC State, which tumbled out of the top-25 as a result. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 362 yards and three TDs, but also threw three costly turnovers in the loss. Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams both eclipsed 100 yards receiving. Spencer took six receptions, for 145 yards, while Williams four catches were good for 103 yards and one TD. With his three TD passes, Wilson moved into second place in school history with 62 TD passes, surpassing Jamie Barnette (59). Now at 4-1 overall, NC State will attempt to move to 2-1 in conference play this weekend when Tom O'Brien leads his Wolfpack against his former team, Boston College.
WAKE FOREST - Josh Adams rushed for 101 yards and one TD, but it wasn't enough as Wake Forest fell to defending ACC champion Georgia Tech in Winston-Salem this past weekend, 24-20. The loss dropped the Demon Deacons to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The Demon Deacons have been hit hard by the injury bug and were down to redshirt junior Skylar Jones under center. Jones entered the game on the Demon Deacons' fourth drive and led the team to two touchdowns and a field goal. Still, Wake Forest held a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter before relinquishing it and losing for the third straight game. The Demon Deacons allowed Georgia Tech to rush for 209 yards, but it was 100 yards less than the Yellow Jackets were averaging coming into the game. The Demon Deacons will attempt to get back in the win column for the first time since September 11th, when the team welcomes Navy to Winston-Salem.
COASTAL DIVISION:
DUKE - Quarterback Sean Renfree threw for 351 yards and wideout Donovan Varner hauled in eight balls, for 128 yards, but it wasn't enough as Duke lost for the fourth straight time, this one being a 21-16 setback at Maryland. The Blue Devils, which haven't won since the season-opener against Elon (41-27), are now 1-4 overall and 0-2 in ACC action. Senior LB Abraham Kromah was all over the field, finishing with a game-high 15 tackles, nine solo and two for a loss. The Blue Devils head into their bye week in desperate need of a break. Duke will get back to work on October 16th when the team plays host to nationally-ranked Miami-Florida.
GEORGIA TECH - It was a rare TD pass by Joshua Nesbitt with 15 seconds remaining' leading the Yellow Jackets to a come-from-behind 24-20 victory at Wake Forest. With the win, the defending ACC champs moved to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play. It also marked the fifth straight ACC road win for Georgia Tech (2-0 this season). The Yellow Jackets rolled up 209 yards rushing, but it was 100 yards less than its average coming in (fourth-ranked rushing team in the country). Nesbitt, who was 11-of-21 passing, for 130 yards and two TDs, also rushed for a team-high 72 yards. Tailback Anthony Allen added 63 yards on 10 carries. Tech overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to post the victory. The last time that had happened was in 1998 against Georgia. The Yellow Jackets return home for two straight games, starting with this weekend's matchup with Virginia.
MIAMI - Quarterback Jacory Harris threw four TD passes in the first half (tied a career-high), three to All-American candidate Leonard Hankerson, as Miami got past Clemson last weekend, 30-21. Harris finished the game with just 13 completions in 34 attempts, for 204 yards and two INTs, but Hankerson was the great equalizer, grabbing seven balls for 147 yard and the three scores. Hankerson has emerged as one of the nation's top receivers, with 23 catches, for 388 yards and six TDs in four games. With a seven-yard touchdown pass to Hankerson in the second quarter, Harris moved into a tie for fifth place all-time in career touchdowns with 46 (Craig Erickson 1987-90). Miami's defense finished with eight TFLs in the game, and are averaging a national- best 10.5 TFLs per game. The Hurricanes will seek their third straight victory this weekend, as the team takes on Duke in Durham.
NORTH CAROLINA - Tailback Shaun Draughn was unstoppable in the second half, scoring three touchdowns and leading the Tar Heels to a 42-17 rout of East Carolina this past weekend. The Tar Heels, who have been without a number of talented players on both sides of the football due to an ongoing NCAA investigation, moved to 2-2 on the season with the win. UNC was able to crank out 444 yards of total offense, including 263 yards on the ground. The 263 yards were five more than the team churned out in its first three games combined. Johnny White actually led the Tar Heels in rushing with 140 yards, but was followed closely by Draughn's 137 yards and of course, his three TDs. The Tar Heels will attempt to make it three wins in a row this weekend, as the team welcomes the Clemson Tigers to Chapel Hill.
VIRGINIA - Mike London's ACC-opener did not go according to plan, as the Cavaliers were beat up at home by the Florida State Seminoles, 34-14. Virginia, which managed a meager 25 yards rushing, allowed FSU to rumble for 256 yards on the ground in the 20-point loss. Virginia's 27-point halftime deficit against the Seminoles marked its largest at home since 2001. The Cavaliers were just 3-of-13 on third-downs, while FSU was 10-of-16 and a perfect 5-of-5 in red zone opportunities. The standout performance on the offensive side of the ball, came from WR Kris Burd, who hauled in a 76-yard TD pass and finished the game with 118 yards receiving. Virginia, which has alternated wins and losses this season will try to hold to form this weekend, as the team travels to Atlanta to take on defending ACC champion Georgia Tech.
VIRGINIA TECH - The Hokies rallied from 17 points down to knock off top-25 foe NC State (41-30) and move to 3-2 on the season, but more importantly, 2-0 in ACC play. Virginia Tech's rally was the largest under head coach Frank Beamer. The team got standout performances on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, with tailback Darren Evans rushing for 160 yards and two TDs, while Jayron Hosely recorded three INTs to keep the Wolfpack at bay. The Hokies will attempt to make it four victories in a row when the team takes a break from ACC play, welcoming Central Michigan to Blacksburg this weekend.