By Trey McCurry.
By Trey McCurry
The ACC features eight games this week, highlighted by two games at Big East foes and three conference matchups. In non-conference action, #4 Florida State travels to in-state foe South Florida and #25 Virginia Tech “travels” to FedEx Field in Landover, MD to take on undefeated Cincinnati. In conference action, NC State heads to Miami (FL) in a big ACC contest while Duke travels to Wake Forest and #16 Clemson makes the trip to Boston College.
Boston College 1-2 (0-1)
Last Week: Open State
This Week: Saturday, September 29 vs. #16 Clemson (3:30PM on ESPN2)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 @ Army (12:00PM on CBSCS)
Notes: QB Chase Rettig has thrown for 951 yards (317 per game) this season and ranks 11th nationally in that category with six TDs and has thrown 114 passes without an interception. WR Alex Amidon is averaging 8.33 receptions per game (eighth nationally) and 122 yards per game (fourth nationally). LB Nick Clancy leads the nation with 14.3 tackles per game, including a national-best 9.3 solo stops per game.
Duke 3-1 (0-0)
Last Week: 38-14 win over Memphis
This Week: Saturday, September 29 @ Wake Forest (12:30PM on ACC Network)
Up Next: Saturday, October vs. Virginia (3:00PM on RSN)
Notes: The Blue Devils have opened the season with three consecutive home wins for the first time since 1994. Duke, 3-1 for the first time since 2008, has scored 151 points through four games, the third-highest total in school history. WR Conner Vernon has caught two or more passes in 18 straight games while ranking fifth all-time in the ACC in receiving yards (3,075) and second in career receptions (227).
Florida State 4-0 (2-0) #4 in both the AP & USA Today Polls
Last Week: 49-37 win over #9 Clemson
This Week: Saturday, September 29 @ South Florida (6:00PM on ESPN)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 @ NC State (8:00PM on ABC or ESPN2)
Notes: QB EJ Manuel completed 27 of 35 passes for a career-high 380 yards with two TDs last week against Clemson while also rushing for 102 yards, the first Seminole to post those numbers since Charlie Ward in 1992. Florida State ranks fourth nationally in total offense (574.5 ypg), second in scoring (56.25 ppg), and second in total defense (184 yards allowed per game).
Georgia Tech 2-2 (1-2)
Last Week: 42-36 (OT) loss to Miami (FL)
This Week: Monday, September 29 vs. Middle Tennessee (12:00PM on RSN)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 @ #16 Clemson (3:30PM on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2)
Notes: The Jackets have lost three of their last five games, dating to last season, and all three losses have came in overtime. Georgia Tech’s offense has not had a three-and-out in either of its last two games. QB Tevin Washington is tied for ninth nationally in scoring (11.0 ppg). The Jackets have outscored their opponents 46-0 in the second quarter this season and have played 188 consecutive games without being shut out, eighth nationally.
Maryland 2-2 (0-0)
Last Week: 31-21 loss at #7 West Virginia
This Week: Open Date
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 vs. Wake Forest (3:30PM on ESPNU)
Notes: The Terrapins run defense continues to impress, as they held West Virginia 201 yards below their season average (25 yards on 25 carries). QB Perry Hills had his best game of the season, completing 20-of-29 passes for 305 yards and 3 TDs, all career highs. Fellow freshman WR Stefon Diggs had his second-straight 200-plus all-purpose yard game, finishing with 201 yards (113 receiving and 2 TDs on 3 catches with 25 PR yards and 63 KOR yards).
Miami (FL) 3-1 (2-0)
Last Week: 42-36 (OT) win at Georgia Tech
This Week: Saturday, September 29 vs. NC State (12:00PM on ESPNU)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 vs. #10 Notre Dame @ Soldier Field (7:30PM on NBC)
Notes: The Hurricanes rallied from a 36-19 deficit, after leading 19-0, to defeat Georgia Tech. QB Stephen Morris threw for a career-high 436 yards in the win, the first Miami (FL) to do so since 2002. RB Duke Johnson leads the nation with 838 all-purpose yards in four games. RB Mike James, who had the game-tying and game-winning TDs, rushed for 3 TDs and added on another receiving TD.
NC State 3-1 (0-0)
Last Week: 52-14 win over The Citadel
This Week: Saturday, September 29 @ Miami (FL) (12:00PM on ESPNU)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 vs. #4 Florida State (8:00PM on ABC or ESPN2)
Notes: The Wolfpack improved to 10-2 in games where CB David Amerson, who now has a school-record-tying 16 picks, records an interception. NC State had 282 rushing yards against The Citadel, its highest total since 2005. QB Mike Glennon has completed 58-of-88 passes (65.9%) of his passes for 694 yards, five TDs, and no INTs during the Packs three-game winning streak. WR Bryan Underwood has a TD reception in all four games this season.
North Carolina 2-2 (0-1)
Last Week: 27-6 win over East Carolina
This Week: Saturday, September 29 vs. Idaho (3:30PM on RSN)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 vs. #25 Virginia Tech (12:30PM on ACC Network)
Notes: The Tar Heels have outscored their opponents 52-0 in the third quarter this season. QB Bryn Renner 684 passing yards the last two games is a school record. RB Gionvani Bernard has 19 career TDs, including 15 rushing TDs. The North Carolina defense had seven sacks against East Carolina after recording only six in their first three games. PK Casey Barth has made a school-record 100 consecutive PATs.
Virginia 2-2 (0-1)
Last Week: 27-7 loss at #16 TCU
This Week: Saturday, September 29 vs. Louisiana Tech (3:30PM on ESPN3)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 @ Duke (3:00PM on RSN)
Notes: The Cavaliers return home after consecutive road losses. QB Michael Rocco made his 17th consecutive start at TCU while backup QB threw his third TD in the last two games. OLB D.J. Hill made his first career start at TCU and had a game-high eight tackles. LB Steve Greer is eighth in the ACC with 7.8 tackles per game. PK Drew Jarrett is perfect on all 13 of his kicks this year (3-for-3 on FGs and 10-for-10 on PATs).
Virginia Tech 3-1 (1-0) #25 in the USA Today Poll
Last Week: 37-0 win over Bowling Green
This Week: Saturday, September 29 vs. Cincinnati @ FedEx Field (3:30PM on ESPNU)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 @ North Carolina (12:30PM on ACC Network)
Notes: The Hokies are 12-18 in neutral site games under Frank Beamer. Virginia Tech has scored in a school-record 221 consecutive games, dating back to 1995. The Hokies have scored 10 TDs on 14 trips inside the red zone this season. Tech’s defense ranks ninth nationally in pass defense, allowing 143.5 ypg. KR Kyshoen Jarrett is tops nationally in punt returns with an average of 35.4 yards per return.
Wake Forest 3-1 (1-1)
Last Week: 49-37 win over Army
This Week: Saturday, September 29 vs. Duke (12:30PM on ACC Network)
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 @ Maryland (3:30PM on ESPNU)
Notes: The Demon Deacons 49 points against Army were the fifth highest in the 45-season history of BB&T Field. RB Josh Harris (129 yards on 12 carries) and RB Deandre Martin (115 yards on 13 carries) both had 2 TDs while becoming the first Wake duo with 100+ yards since 2005. WR Michael Campanaro, fifth nationally with 9.0 receptions per game, had 12 catches for 153 yards with two TDs along with a rushing TD against Army.
Future ACC Teams:
Notre Dame 4-0 #10 in AP Poll & #11 in USA Today Poll
Last Week: 13-6 win over #18 Michigan
This Week: Open Date
Up Next: Saturday, October 6 vs. Miami (FL) @ Soldier Field (7:30PM on NBC)
Notes: The Irish are off to their best start since 2002. Notre Dame defeated top-20 opponents for the first time since 2002 and allowed six points or less to top-20 opponents in consecutive weeks for the first time since 1943. The defense has not allowed a TD in eight quarters and forced six turnovers last week against Michigan.
Pittsburgh 2-2 (0-1 Big East)
Last Week: 55-10 win over Gardner-Webb
This Week: Open Date
Up Next: Friday, October 5 @ Syracuse (7:00PM on ESPN)
Notes: The Panthers had 626 yards of offense against Gardner-Webb, the most for Pitt in a game since 1997. Pitt registered back-to-back games with at least 500 yards for the first time since 1999. WR Mike Shanahan had a career high in receiving yards for the second straight games with five receptions for 144 yards and two TDs.
Syracuse 1-3 (0-0 Big East)
Last Week: 17-10 loss at Minnesota
This Week: Open Date
Up Next: Friday, October 6 vs. Pittsburgh (7:00PM on ESPN)
Notes: The Orange’s first four opponents this season are a combined 14-2. Syracuse leads the Big East in total offense (487.5 ypg) and passing offense (341.8 ypg). QB Ryan Nassib is seventh nationally in total offense (360.0 ypg) and leads the Big East. WR Alec Lemon became Syracuse’s career leader in receptions last week with 145 career catches.