The ACC Football Players of the Week have been recognized following their standout performances in last weekend’s games.
The selections are determined by a vote of a select media panel.
The following are this week’s honorees:
QB– DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson, QB, Inland Empire, Calif.
Completed 26-of-41 passes for a season-high 371 passing yards with a career-high five passing touchdowns in Saturday’s 51-45 double-overtime win at No. 21 Wake Forest • Added 52 rushing yards on 14 carries • Became the first Clemson quarterback to throw five touchdown passes in a game since Trevor Lawrence at Georgia Tech in 2020 • Engineered his fourth career fourth-quarter comeback win, tying Deshaun Watson for the second-most by a Clemson quarterback since 2000 • Became the first Clemson player with at least 370 passing yards, at least five touchdowns and no interceptions since Watson at NC State in 2015.
RUNNING BACK – Israel Abanikanda, Pitt, RB, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Named ACC Running Back of the Week for the second time this season • Posted his third consecutive 100-yard rushing effort with another prolific outing in the Panthers’ 45-24 win over Rhode Island • Rushed for a career-high 177 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries—an impressive 9.3-yard average • Touchdown runs covered 67, 12, 24 and 13 yards • First Pitt player to compile three consecutive 100-yard games since All-ACC performer Darrin Hall in 2017 and first Panther to rush for four TDs in a game since Hall against North Carolina on Nov. 9, 2017.
RECEIVER – Jahmal Banks, Wake Forest, WR, Washington, D.C.
Banks was quarterback Sam Hartman’s big-play target on Saturday versus No. 5 Clemson • Hauled in six passes for 141 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 51-45 double-overtime loss • Became the first Wake Forest wide receiver to catch at least two touchdown passes in back-to-back games since at least 1996 and is believed to be the only Demon Deacon to accomplish that feat.
CO-OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Grant Gibson, NC State, C, Charlotte, N.C.
Graded out at an eye-opening 97 percent for his work in the 12th-ranked Wolfpack’s 41-10 win over UConn • Helped clear the way for 492 yards of total offense while playing 61 snaps • Tallied three pancake blocks.
CO-OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Jordan McFadden, Clemson, OT, Spartanburg, S.C.
Graded out at 91 percent with three knockdowns while playing all 86 offensive snaps in the Tigers’ 51-45 double-overtime win over Wake Forest • Helped power Clemson to back-to-back 500-yard games for the first time since 2020 • Key pass protector who helped Clemson throw five touchdown passes for the first time since 2020 • Part of a unit that converted 16-of-23 third downs, a school single-game record surpassing its 15 against Western Carolina in 1983.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Chico Bennett, Virginia, DL, Washington, D.C.
Proved a constant presence in the Syracuse backfield, finishing with four tackles including two sacks in Friday night’s 22-20 road loss • Also recovered a fumble • Led the way as UVA held the Orange rushing attack to 75 yards • After allowing a touchdown on the game’s opening drive (following a 57-yard kickoff return), the UVA defense only permitted four field goals on Syracuse’s next four trips into the red zone.
LINEBACKER – Mikel Jones, Syracuse, LB, Miami, Fla.
Named ACC Linebacker of the Week for the second consecutive week • Led the Orange with nine tackles – no other player had more than five – in Syracuse’s 22-20 win over Virginia • Jones and the Orange defense held the Cavaliers to 287 yards of total offense in the win as the Syracuse moved to 4-0 for the season.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Garrett Williams, Syracuse, CB, Harrisburg, N.C.
Registered two takeaways in the Orange’s 22-20 win over Virginia • Forced and recovered a fumble in the second quarter before intercepting UVA QB Brennan Armstrong in the third quarter • Also had a crucial pass breakup on a short fourth-down attempt in plus-territory for UVA • Added three tackles, including a pair of solo stops and anchored a Syracuse secondary that held the Cavaliers to 138 yards through the air.
SPECIALIST – Andre Szymt, Syracuse, PK, Vernon Hills, Ill.
Tied a Syracuse record and set a new career high with five made field goals in Syracuse’s 22-20 win over Virginia • Was a perfect 5-for-5 while connecting from 26, 28, 31, 32 and 40 yards • His 31-yard field goal with 1:14 left gave the Orange its go-ahead score • He also made his lone extra point, scoring 16 of Syracuse’s 22 total points in the game • Perfect kicking game came on an evening the Orange were forced to use two different holders.
ROOKIE – Drake Maye, North Carolina, QB, Huntersville, N.C.
Named ACC Rookie of the Week for the second time following his performance in the Tar Heels’ 45-32 loss to Notre Dame • Had 337 total yards and threw five touchdown passes, raising his season total to 16 in four games • Finished 17-of-32 passing for 301 yards and rushed for 36 yards.
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Chris Graham
