GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – A record-setting North Carolina offensive performance joins a pair of standout efforts in undefeated and No. 1-ranked Clemson’s key win over No. 16 Florida State to highlight the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Player of the Week selections.
North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams was recognized as the ACC Offensive Back of the Week after piling up a school-record 524 total yards in the Coastal Division-leading Tar Heels’ 66-31 win over rival Duke. Clemson freshman Mitch Hyatt picked up ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades for his play in the 23-13 win over FSU that clinched the Tigers’ Atlantic Division berth in the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game. Clemson’s B.J. Goodson earned Linebacker of the Week honors after making 3.5 tackles for loss against the Seminoles.
ACC Football Players of the Week are selected by a 14-member media panel.
Clemson, North Carolina and Pitt each had two players recognized. UNC’s Mack Hollins was named the ACC Receiver of the Week, while the Panthers’ Ejuan Price was tabbed as Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week and Jordan Whitehead received Rookie of the Week honors.
Also recognized were NC State’s Bradley Chubb (Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week), Louisville’s Trumaine Washington (Defensive Back of the Week) and Virginia’s Ian Frye (Specialist of the Week).
Williams, Hollins, Goodson and Whitehead were each honored for the second time this season.
OFFENSIVE BACK – Marquise Williams, North Carolina, Sr., QB, 6-2, 225, Charlotte, N.C.
Williams set a school record with 524 yards of total offense and accounted for five touchdowns in less than three quarters of game action in North Carolina's 66-31 win over Duke. The 524 yards are the sixth-most in ACC single-game history. Williams eclipsed his own previous UNC record of 469 total yards, which he set against Old Dominion in 2013. Williams passed for 494 yards, the most in UNC history, and his 404 yards passing in the first two quarters set another school record for passing yardage in a half. Williams passed for four touchdowns – on plays that covered 89, 74, 49 and 12 yards – and ran for another score. Williams is now responsible for a school-record 83 career touchdowns. He has 28 rushing scores (a UNC record for a quarterback), 52 touchdown passes and three receiving TDs.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Mitch Hyatt, Clemson, Fr., OL, 6-6, 285, Sugar Hill, Ga.
Hyatt graded a season high 93 percent and had four knockdown blocks while playing all 85 offensive snaps in Clemson’s 23-13 win over 16th-ranked Florida State that clinched a spot in the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship game for the unbeaten and now No. 1-ranked Tigers. Hyatt was a big reason Clemson gained 512 yards of total offense, including 215 rushing against a Florida State unit that was ranked 23rd nationally in total defense entering the game. Hyatt’s grade was the highest on record for a Clemson freshman and tied for the highest received by any Clemson player this year.
RECEIVER – Mack Hollins, North Carolina, Jr., WR, 6-4, 210, Rockville, Md.
Hollins had five receptions for a career-high 165 yards and one touchdown in North Carolina's 66-31 win over Duke. He averaged 33 yards per reception. Hollins caught a 74-yard touchdown pass from Marquise Williams to give the Tar Heels' a 31-10 lead in the second quarter.
CO-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Bradley Chubb, NC State, So., DE, 6-4, 260, Powder Springs, Ga.
Chubb led the Wolfpack with nine tackles in Saturday’s 24-8 win at Boston College, helping the defense hold the Eagles to just 28 net rushing yards as NC State clinched bowl game eligibility. Chubb tallied five tackles for a loss of 21 yards. The five tackles for loss tied as the fourth-best single-game mark in school history. His effort included two sacks for a loss of 12 yards (a career high), as well as a forced fumble.
CO-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Ejuan Price, Pitt, Sr.-r, DE, 6-0, 250, Rankin, Pa.
Price compiled an all-around solid stat line in Saturday’s 42-30 loss to eighth-ranked Notre Dame with eight tackles, two quarterback sacks, 2.5 total tackles for loss and a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Price’s tackle and sack totals matched his career bests, and his sacks went for 15 yards in lost yardage. Price’s fumble return for a score was Pitt’s first since 2011.
LINEBACKER – B.J. Goodson, Clemson, Sr.-r, LB, 6-0, 240, Lamar, S.C.
Goodson was Clemson’s top tackler with nine in the Tigers’ 23-13 win over Florida State. Goodson had 3.5 tackles for loss, including both sacks registered by the Clemson defense. Goodson also had a fumble recovery in the fourth period, marking the second time this year he recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter against a top 20 team (also versus Notre Dame). Goodson was a big reason the Clemson defense held Florida State to just one touchdown and 13 points – the fewest the Seminoles have scored against Clemson since 2003.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Trumaine Washington, Louisville, So., CB, 5-10, 181, Miami, Fla.
Making his ninth start, Washington totaled career highs with 12 tackles, one sack and 4.0 tackles for loss in Louisville’s 41-17 win over Syracuse on Saturday. He picked off his team-leading fourth pass of the season and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown to put the Cardinals in front 14-10. Washington helped the Louisville defensive unit limit Syracuse to 286 yards of total offense
SPECIALIST – Ian Frye, Virginia, Sr.-r., PK, 6-6, 215, Bristol, Va.
Frye was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals in UVA’s 27-21 loss at Miami. He converted field goal attempts from 25, 48, 36 and 47 yards. His last two kicks came in the fourth quarter. The four field goals matches his career single-game best. Frye has converted his last 11 field goal attempts this year. His 48-yarder was a season long. Frye has now booted 42 career field goals to move into fourth place on UVA’s all-time list.
ROOKIE – Jordan Whitehead, Pitt, Fr., SS/RB/WR, 5-11, 185, Alquippa, Pa.
Whitehead provided a spark on both sides of the ball against Notre Dame. Whitehead led the Panthers in tackles with 11 stops (nine solo) and added 1.5 tackles for loss. He also lined up at running back and wide receiver. Playing his first offensive snaps since high school, Whitehead averaged 6.8 yards per rush (four carries for 27 yards) and ran for two touchdowns (10 and 3 yards). Whitehead leads Pitt in tackles through nine games with 73 total stops. With an average of 8.1 tackles per game, he ranks seventh in the ACC and is the only freshman among the league’s top-21 tacklers.
