Clemson, Georgia Tech and Louisville lead the final 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week with two selections each following wins over in-state SEC rivals on Saturday.
Clemson’s Kalon Davis was named the ACC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week, and Vic Beasley earned Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following the Tigers’ 35-17 victory over South Carolina.
Louisville’s DeVante Parker is the Receiver of the Week following his starring role in the Cardinals’ 44-40 win over Kentucky, while quarterback Kyle Bolin was tabbed as the ACC Rookie of the Week.
Georgia Tech’s Shaquille Mason (Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week) and D.J. White (Defensive Back of the Week) were recognized following the Yellow Jackets’ 30-24 overtime road win at No. 9 Georgia.
NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett earned ACC Offensive Back of the Week laurels after keying the Wolfpack’s 35-7 road win at North Carolina. Florida State’s Terrance Smith is the Linebacker of the Week after helping the Seminoles remain unbeaten with a 24-19 victory over Florida. Specialist of the Week honors went to Pitt’s Tyler Boyd, whose kick returns contributed heavily to Saturday’s 35-23 win over Miami.
Georgia Tech’s Mason was honored for third time this season. The honors are the second of the year for NC State’s Brissett, Florida State’s Smith and Pitt’s Boyd (one as a specialist and one as a receiver).
OFFENSIVE BACK – Jacoby Brissett, NC State, Jr.-r, QB, 6-4, 235, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Brissett set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 167 yards on 14 carries in the Wolfpack’s 35-7 win at North Carolina. Brissett broke the school record set by Johnny Evans in 1976 that had stood for nearly four decades. Brissett averaged 11.9 yards per carry, including a 17-yard touchdown run. Brissett also had a career-best 60-yard run from scrimmage that set up another score. He finished 9-of-11 passing, including three touchdown throws.
CO-OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Kalon Davis, Clemson, Sr., OL, 6-5, 340, Chester, S.C.
Davis played all 61 Clemson offensive snaps and graded 93 percent with five knockdown blocks in the Tigers’ 35-17 win over South Carolina. Davis had a key block on two Clemson rushing touchdowns and did not allow a sack. He was a big reason Clemson scored 35 points and gained 491 yards, including a season high 8.0 yards per play, in the victory. The Tigers’ rushing effort featured a 5.6 yards per carry average and 225 yards rushing on 40 attempts.
CO-OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Shaquille Mason, Georgia Tech, Sr., OG, 6-1, 311, Columbia, Tenn.
Mason anchored Tech’s offensive line as the Yellow Jackets rushed for 399 yards in a 30-24 overtime win at No. 9 Georgia. Both running back Zach Laskey’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter and game-winner in overtime came behind the blocking of Mason. The Yellow Jackets improved to 37-9 under head coach Paul Johnson when rushing for 300 or more yards. Tech’s offensive line also did not allow a sack.
RECEIVER – DeVante Parker, Louisville, Sr., WR, 6-3, 208, Louisville, Ky.
Parker caught eight passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the Cardinals’ 44-40 win over Kentucky. It was his fourth 100-yard effort in five games this season since returning from an injury. Parker tied the school record for career touchdown receptions with 32 (Ibn Green). Parker’s outing against Kentucky included two 45-yard TD receptions and one 33-yarder.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Vic Beasley, Clemson, Sr.-R, DE, 6-2, 235, Adairsville, Ga.
The Clemson All-American made his final appearance in Memorial Stadium a special one as he had two sacks and three tackles for loss inSaturday’s 35-17 win over South Carolina. Beasley stripped the ball from South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson on his first sack, and Clemson scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive for a 14-7 lead. Beasley ended the game with six tackles and was a big reason the Gamecocks scored only 17 points and had just 339 yards total offense, well under their season averages of 35 points and 466 yards per game.
LINEBACKER – Terrance Smith, Florida State; Jr.-R, 6-4, 222, Decatur, Ga.
Smith delivered the play of the game in the Seminoles’ 24-19 victory over Florida on Saturday. With Florida ahead 9-0 in the first quarter and threatening to score again with the ball at the FSU 9-yard line, Smith intercepted UF quarterback Treon Harris’ pass and sprinted 94 yards down the sideline to give FSU its first points of the day and ignite a Seminole rally. Smith added three tackles, including a tackle for loss as the Noles held Florida to just 113 yards rushing and only 169 yards passing.
DEFENSIVE BACK – D.J. White, Georgia Tech, Jr., DB, 5-11, 190, McDonough, Ga.
White had four tackles, including one for loss, and the game-clinching intecepton in Georgia Tech’s 30-24 overtime road win at No. 9 Georgia. Georgia Tech has recorded at least one takeaway in six straight games. With Georgia driving in OT, White picked off Hutson Mason’s second-down pass to clinch Tech’s first 10-win season since 2009 and snap the Yellow Jackets’ five-game losing skid versus the Bulldogs.
SPECIALIST – Tyler Boyd, Pitt, So., KR, 6-2, 190, Clairton, Pa.
Boyd compiled 262 all-purpose yards to spark Pitt to its first road win at Miami since 1963 on Saturday night. As a kick returner, Boyd totaled 190 yards on six returns (31.7 avg.) to give the Panthers excellent field position throughout their 35-23 win. Perhaps his biggest play came in the third quarter after Miami cut Pitt’s lead to 21-20. Boyd took the ensuing kickoff and raced 53 yards to the Miami 43. The return set up a quick five-play touchdown drive (which included a key 17-yard reception by Boyd) to put the Panthers up 28-20. Boyd’s contributions as a receiver included five catches for 72 yards and one touchdown.
ROOKIE – Kyle Bolin, Louisville, Fr.-r, QB, 6-2, 203, Lexington, Ky.
Entering Saturday’s game as a back-up following an injury to starter Reggie Bonnafon, Bolin was 21-of-31 for 381 yards and three touchdowns in Louisville’s 44-40 win over Kentucky. Bolin, playing in only his second career game, tossed two 45-yard touchdown passes and a 33-yard scoring pass to wide receiver DeVante Parker.
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