ACC Players of the Week

NC State junior quarterback Russell Wilson and Boston College sophomore middle linebacker Luke Kuechly headline a list of seven players honored as the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week, announced Monday by the ACC.

Wilson was responsible for all four of the Wolfpack’s touchdowns, including a career-high three rushing scores, as NC State came back from a 21-7 deficit to defeat Florida State, 28-24. This marks Wilson’s third recognition of the season. Kuechly, who garnered honors for the second time this season, tallied 14 tackles and extended his nation-leading streak to 17 games with 10 or more tackles, while also contributing a late-game interception, as Boston College topped Clemson, 16-10.

Duke earned two honors as junior tight end Cooper Helfet was named offensive lineman of the week and junior place kicker Will Snyderwine the specialist of the week. Also receiving two recognitions was Virginia as junior cornerback Chase Minnifield and junior safety Corey Mosley were tabbed co-defensive backs of the week. Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien was recognized as the rookie of the week, his third honor of the season.

OFFENSIVE BACK – Russell Wilson, NC State, QB, r-Jr., 5-11, 201, Richmond, Va. (Collegiate): Wilson directed the NC State offense to its come-from-behind victory over the Seminoles. Wilson completed 18 of 28 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, and also carried the ball 17 times for 69 net yards and three touchdowns, accounting for all four of the Wolfpack’s scores. Wilson’s three rushing touchdowns not only marked a career high, but also the most rushing touchdowns by an NC State quarterback since Preston Poag rushed for three scores versus Western Carolina on Sept. 3, 1988. Wilson was especially effective in the second half; with NC State trailing 21-7 in the third quarter, he completed five of seven passes for 24 yards, and rushed five times for 43 yards and two touchdowns to tie the game at 21-21. In the fourth quarter he completed five of six passes for 74 yards, including the game-winning touchdown, which came on fourth-and-goal from the FSU 1-yard line with 2:40 to play.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Cooper Helfet, Duke, TE, Jr., 6-4, 240, Kentfield, Calif. (Redwood & Santa Rosa Junior College): In Duke’s 34-31 win, Helfet caught a season-best and team-high seven passes for a season-high 69 yards. Four of his seven receptions produced 1st downs. He also recovered a Navy onsides kick attempt at the 2:34 mark of the fourth quarter to help preserve the victory. Helfet had three catches for 31 yards and two first downs as Duke executed its two-minute offense just prior to halftime. On the drive, which started with 2:19 on the clock, the Blue Devils marched 64 yards on 8 plays for a TD to take a 24-0 lead at intermission. He was a key component of a Duke offense that posted 456 total yards, 36:57 of possession time and zero turnovers.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Luke Kuechly, Boston College, MLB, So., 6-3, 235, Cincinnati, Ohio (Saint Xavier): Kuechly, who leads the nation in tackles, finished the day with 14 (10 solos, 4 assists), to extend the nation’s longest streak of games with 10 or more tackles to 17. He also registered the potential game-saving interception with 1:42 remaining in the game, by picking off a Kyle Parker pass at the BC 45 on second down. The Eagles were able to run the clock down to 43 seconds before Clemson took over for one last drive that ended on the Clemson 43 with a Parker incompletion as time expired. Kuechly also was credited a TFL assist.

CO-DEFENSIVE BACK – Chase Minnifield, Virginia, CB, Jr., 6-0, 185, Lexington, Ky. (Henry Clay): Minnifield had two interceptions and four tackles in UVa’s 24-19 upset of Miami at Scott Stadium. He teamed with safety Corey Mosley to help the Cavaliers tie the school record with five interceptions during the game. Minnifield’s first interception came in the second quarter and set up UVa’s first touchdown of the game. His second came in the third quarter when UVa led 17-0 but Miami had driven to the Cavaliers’ 17-yard line. Minnifield now has six interceptions this season which ties for the NCAA FCS lead.

CO-DEFENSIVE BACK – Corey Mosley, Virginia, S, Jr., 5-10, 200, Richmond, Va. (Henrico): Mosley tallied two interceptions and four tackles as UVa upset Miami, 24-19. Mosley’s first pick ended a Hurricane scoring threat. With Virginia up 7-0 and UM at the 15-yard line he intercepted the ball on the eight and returned it 44 yards setting up the Cavaliers’ second TD. His second interception came in the fourth quarter at the UM 30, which he returned to the Canes’ 5-yard line. UVa scored one play later to go up 24-0.

SPECIALIST – Will Snyderwine, Duke, K, r-Jr., 5-11, 190, Potomac, Md. (Landon School): Snyderwine scored 10 points on two field goals and four PATs as Duke defeated Navy, 34-31. He was 2-of-2 on field goals (30 & 40 yards) and 4-of-4 on PATs. His 40-yard field goal at the 8:34 mark of the 4th period proved to be the winning margin in the three-point victory, and he has now made 11 consecutive field goals. On the season he has made all 22 of his PATs and is 46-of-46 for his career. Three of his seven kickoffs resulted in touchbacks, and he recorded one tackle on kickoff coverage.

ROOKIE – Danny O’Brien, Maryland, QB, r-Fr., 6-3, 215, Kernersville, N.C. (East Forsyth): O’Brien had a tremendous day against Wake Forest, throwing a career-high four touchdown passes in Maryland’s 62-14 win over the Demon Deacons. The redshirt freshman, who has seven touchdowns and no interceptions over the last two games, completed 13 of 20 passes for 168 yards with an efficiency rating of 201.56. In all five of his starts this season, O’Brien has connected with at least eight different receivers. His 4.33-to-1 TD to interception ratio is tops in the FBS among freshmen, as is his 1.80 interception percentage. Despite not starting the first three games of the season, his 13 TD passes are tied for second in the country among freshmen.