Featured stories, UNC

UNC’s Dunn a semifinalist for soccer’s highest individual award

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Crystal Dunn.
Crystal Dunn.
Five Atlantic Coast Conference student-athletes have been named semifinalists for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Tuesday.

Included on the list of 15 semifinalists for the highest individual award in intercollegiate soccer are Florida State senior defender Kassey Kallman, North Carolina senior midfielder and 2012 MAC Hermann trophy winner Crystal Dunn, Virginia junior midfielder Morgan Brian and sophomore forward Makenzy Doniak, and Virginia Tech senior forward Jazmine Reeves.

All five semifinalists were All-ACC First Team honorees, while Dunn was selected the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and Kallman was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

Fans will once again be able to vote for the award this year, along with NSCAA member coaches. Fans can make their choice by visiting http://machermanntrophy.lockerdome.com starting on Thursday, Dec. 5. The three finalists for the award will be announced on December 12. The winner will be announced at the annual banquet on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

Florida State, Virginia and Virginia Tech will all be in action this weekend at the 2013 NCAA Women’s College Cup to be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., Dec. 6-8. Florida State and Virginia Tech will square off in Friday’s first semifinal at 5 p.m., while Virginia will take on UCLA in the second semifinal at 7:30 p.m. The winners will meet in the College Cup final on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. All three matches will be broadcast live on ESPNU and will be available on the WatchESPN App.

Duke, Featured stories, N.C. State, UNC

Devils, Heels each place four on All-ACC football first team

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acclogo3The 2013 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Team has few controversial picks and is led by ACC division winners Florida State and Duke, as announced Monday by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA).

Four Tar Heels and four Blue Devils made first team with UNC tight end Eric Ebron receiving the most votes of the eight.

The Atlantic Division champion and nationally top-ranked Seminoles placed 17 members on the squad, including seven first-team selections, as voted upon by 65 ACSMA members. Eleven players were selected from Coastal Division champion Duke, including four on the first team. This marks the first year in which a first-, second- and third-team were chosen.

My ACSMA ballot was fairly close to final tally. In fact, my first-team defense was exactly the same except I had Virginia Tech linebacker Jack Tyler on the first team whereas he made second team. Offensively, I picked eight of the same first-team players. See the official final votes below followed by my ballot.

Boston College senior running back Andre Williams, who leads the nation and set an ACC single-season record with 2,102 rushing yards, was the only unanimous selection to the All-ACC Team (named first team on all 65 ballots).

Clemson junior wide receiver Sammy Watkins, whose 1,237 reception yards lead the conference, received 63 first-team votes. Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston, who ranks first in the nation in passing efficiency (192.6) and leads the ACC in passing yardage (3,490) and touchdown passes (35) was named first team on 61 ballots.

ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner Cameron Erving is among the Florida State contingent earning first-team honors. A number of players named to the All-ACC team are also finalists for national honors including Florida State’s Winston (Maxwell Award, Manning Award and O’Brien Award), Clemson’s Watkins (Biletnikoff Award), Boston College’s Williams (Doak Walker Award).

Other national finalists include first-team defensive tackle Aaron Donald of Pitt (Nagurski Award, Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award and Outland Trophy), first-team cornerback Lamarcus Joyner of Florida State (Nagurski Award and Thorpe Award), first-team tight end Eric Ebron of North Carolina and second-team tight end Nick O’Leary of Florida State (Mackey Award), second-team quarterback Tajh Boyd of Clemson (Manning Award and Unitas Award) and second-team placekicker Roberto Aguayo of Florida State (Groza Award).

Duke junior Jamison Crowder, who leads the ACC in receptions with 88 and has returned two punts for touchdowns this season, was the only player selected at multiple positions. Crowder was voted to the first team at wide receiver and to the second team as a specialist.

Boston College’s Williams amassed a team-high 195 points with his unanimous first-team selection (three points for each first-team vote, two points for each second-team vote and one-point for each third-team vote). Clemson’s Watkins and Florida State’s Winston had 191 points apiece. The closest vote came at the placekicker position, where Boston College’s Nate Freese earned first-team honors with 124 points, one ahead of Florida State’s Aguayo’s 123.

2013 All-ACC Football Team
First Team

Offense
QB – Jameis Winston, Florida State, 6-4, 225, Fr.-R, Bessemer, Ala. (191)
RB – Andre Williams, Boston College, 6-0, 220, Sr., Schnecksville, Pa. (195)
RB – Devonta Freeman, Florida State, 5-9, 203, Jr., Miami, Fla. (126)
WR – Sammy Watkins, Clemson, 6-1, 205, Jr., Fort Myers, Fla. (191)
WR – Jamison Crowder, Duke, 5-9, 175, Jr., Monroe, N.C. (172)
WR – Rashad Greene, Florida State, 6-0, 180, Jr., Albany, Ga. (126)
TE – Eric Ebron, North Carolina, 6-4, 245, Jr., Greensboro, N.C. (178)
T- Cameron Erving, Florida State, 6-6, 320, Jr.-R, Moultrie, Ga. (148)
T- James Hurst, North Carolina, 6-7, 305, Sr., Plainfield, Ind. (118)
G- Tre’ Jackson, Florida State, 6-4, 330, Jr., Jesup, Ga., (160)
G-Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech. 6-1. 305, Jr., Columbia, Tenn. (96)
C- Bryan Stork, Florida State, 6-4, 298, Sr.-R, Vero Beach, Fla. (181)

Defense
DE – Vic Beasley, Clemson, 6-3, 225, Jr-R.., Adairsville, Ga. (161)
DE – Kareem Martin, North Carolina, 6-6, 265, Sr., Roanoke Rapids, N.C. (159)
DT – Aaron Donald, Pitt, 6-0, 275, Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa. (171)
DT – Nikita Whitlock, Wake Forest, 5-11, 250, Sr.-R, Wylie, Texas (156)
LB – Kelby Brown, Duke, 6-2, 220, Jr.-R, Matthews, N.C. (146)
LB – Denzel Perryman, Miami, 6-0, 236, Jr., Coral Gables, Fla. (124)
LB – Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College, 6-1, 215, Sr., Norwalk, Conn. (123)
CB – Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State, 5-8, 190, Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (172)
CB – Ross Cockrell, Duke, 6-0, 180, Sr.-R, Waxhaw, N.C. (145)
S – Anthony Harris, Virginia, 6-1, 185, Jr., Chesterfield, Va. (142)
S – Jeremy Cash, Duke, 6-2, 210, So.-R, Plantation, Fla. (129)

Special Teams
PK – Nate Freese, Boston College, 6-0, 185, Sr., Strongsville, Ohio (124)
P – Pat O’Donnell, Miami, 6-5, 222, Gr., Lake Worth, Fla. (135)
SP – Ryan Switzer, North Carolina, 5-10, 175, Fr., Charleston, W.Va. (155)

Second Team

Offense
QB – Tajh Boyd, Clemson, 6-1, 225, Sr.-R, Hampton, Va. (132)
RB – Kevin Parks, Virginia, 5-8, 205, Jr.-R, Salisbury, N.C. (117)
RB – Duke Johnson, Miami, 5-9, 194, So., Miami, Fla. (104)
WR – Michael Campanaro, Wake Forest, 5-11, 190, Sr.-R, Clarksville, Md. (102)
WR – Allen Hurns, Miami, 6-3, 195, Sr., Miami, Fla. (102)
WR – Tyler Boyd, Pitt, 6-2, 185, Fr., Alexandria, Va. (100)
TE – Nick O’Leary, Florida State, 6-3, 246, Jr., Palm Beach, Fla. (126)
T- Brandon Thomas, Clemson, 6-3, 305, Gr.-R, Spartanburg, S.C. (104)
T- Matt Patchan, Boston College, 6-6, 304, Sr., Tampa, Fla. (92)
G- Laken Tomlinson, Duke, 6-3, 320, Jr.-R, Chicago, Ill. (90)
G- Brandon Linder, Miami, 6-6, 317, Sr., Southwest Ranches, Fla. (80)
C- Macky MacPherson, Syracuse, 6-2, 280, Sr., Syracuse, N.Y. (61)

Defense
DE – Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 242, Sr., Washington, D.C. (121)
DE – Kenny Anunike, Duke, 6-5, 260, Sr.-R, Galena, Ohio (98)
DT – Timmy Jernigan, Florida State, 6-2, 294, Jr., Lake City, Fla. (124)
DT – Derrick Hopkins, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 306, Sr., Highland Springs, Va. (73)
LB – Telvin Smith, Florida State, 6-3, 218, Sr., Valdosta, Ga. (105)
LB – Jack Tyler, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 236, Sr.-R, Oakton, Va. (93)
LB – Christian Jones, Florida State, 6-4, 232, Sr., Winter Park, Fla. (83)
CB – Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech, 5-11, 180, Fr., Baltimore, Md. (91)
CB – Bashaud Breeland, Clemson, 6-0, 195, Jr.-R, Allendale, S.C. (69)
S – Terrence Brooks, Florida State, 5-11, 200, Sr., Dunnellon, Fla. (97)
S – Tre Boston, North Carolina, 6-1, 205, Sr., Fort Myers, Fla. (86)

Special Teams
PK – Roberto Aguayo, Florida State, 6-1, 208, Fr.-R, Mascotte, Fla. (123)
P – A.J. Hughes, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 190, So., Terre Haute, Ind. (79)
SP – Jamison Crowder, Duke, 5-9, 175, Jr., Monroe, N.C. (80)

Third Team

Offense
QB – Stephen Morris, Miami, 6-2, 214, Sr., Miami, Fla. (24)
RB – Roderick McDowell, Clemson, 5-9, 195, Gr.-R, Sumter, S.C. (85)
RB –Jerome Smith, Syracuse, 6-0, 217, Sr., Bear, Del. (53)
WR – Devin Street, Pitt, 6-4, 190, Sr.-R, Bethlehem, Pa. (80)
WR – Alex Amidon, Boston College, 5-11, 186, Sr., Greenfield, Mass. (70)
WR – Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State, 6-5, 238. So.-R, Belle Glade, Fla. (68)
TE – Braxton Deaver, Duke, 6-5, 240, Jr.-R, Charlotte, N.C. (51)
T- Perry Simmons, Duke, 6-5, 300, Sr.-R, Raleigh, N.C. (80)
T- Morgan Moses, Virginia, 6-6, 325, Sr., Richmond, Va. (76)
G – Tyler Shatley, Clemson, 6-3, 295, Sr.-R, Icard, S.C. (65)
G- Josue Matias, Florida State, 6-6, 322, Jr. , Union City, N.J. (57)
C- Andy Gallik, Boston College, 6-3, 300, Jr.-R, Evergreen Park, Ill. (52)

Defense
DE – Kasim Edebali, Boston College, 6-2, 258, Sr.-R, Hamburg, Germany (65)
DE – Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State, 6-3, 285, So., Gautier, Miss. (56)
DT – Jay Bromley, Syracuse, 6-4, 293, Sr., Jamaica, N.Y. (68)
DT – Luther Maddy, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 288, Jr., Delray Beach, Fla. (56)
LB – Steele Divitto, Boston College, 6-3, 238, Sr., Ridgefield, Conn. (78)
LB – Stephone Anthony, Clemson, 6-3, 235, Jr., Polkton, N.C. (73)
LB – Spencer Shuey, Clemson, 6-3, 230, Gr.-R, Charlotte, N.C. (57)
CB – Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 193, Sr., Baltimore, Md. (58)
CB – Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech, 6-2, 173, Fr., Newnan, Ga. (53)
S – Durell Eskridge, Syracuse, 6-3, 202, So., Miami, Fla. (53)
S – Nate Andrews, Florida State, 6-0, 208, Fr., Fairhope, Ala. (44)

Special Teams
PK- Chandler Cantnazaro, Clemson 6-2, 195, Gr.-R, Greenville, S.C. (69)
P – Will Monday, Duke, 6-4, 210, So.-R, Flowery Branch, Ga. (73)
SP – DeVon Edwards, Duke, 5-9, 185, Fr.-R, Covington, Ga. (57)

Honorable Mention
(20 or more points)
RB
Robert Godhigh, RB, Georgia Tech (39)
David Sims, RB, Georgia Tech (29)
James Wilder, Jr., RB, Florida State (23)

WR
Kenny Shaw, WR, Florida State (46)
Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson (34)
Quinshad Davis, WR, North Carolina (33)
Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland (21)

OT
Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami (34)
Bobby Hart, OT, Florida State (30)
Sean Hickey, OT, Syracuse (29)
Ian White, OT, Boston College (27)

OG
Andrew Miller, OG, Virginia Tech, (53)
Will Jackson, OG, Georgia Tech, (35)
Matt Rotheram, OG, Pitt (22)
Jon Feliciano, OG, Miami (20)

C
Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina (28)
David Wang, C, Virginia Tech (21)

DE
James Gayle, DE, Virginia Tech (42)

DT
Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson (39)
Brent Urban, DT, Virginia (21)

LB
Robert Caldwell, LB, NC State (51)
Marcus Whitfield, LB, Maryland (45)
Marquis Spruill, LB, Syracuse (31)
Terrance Smith, LB, Florida State (26)
Norkeithus Otis, LB, North Carolina (22)
Cole Farrand, LB, Maryland (22)

CB
Tracy Howard, CB, Miami (30)
P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State (25)
Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest (22)
Jabari Price, CB, North Carolina (20)

S
Ray Vinopal, S, Pitt (30)
Jason Hendricks, S, Pitt (29)
Ryan Janvion, S, Wake Forest (28)
Kyshoen Jarrett, S, Virginia Tech (23)
Deon Bush, S, Miami (20)

PK
Niklas Sade, PK, NC State (37)
Ross Martin, PK, Duke (26)

P
Tommy Hibbard, P, North Carolina (26)

SP
Stacy Coley, SP, Miami (22)

Capital Sports NC All-ACC Football Team
First Team

Offense
QB – Jameis Winston, Florida State
RB – Andre Williams, Boston College
RB – Duke Johnson, Miami (Made 2nd team)
WR – Jamison Crowder, Duke
WR – Sammy Watkins, Florida State
WR – Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh (Made 2nd team)
TE – Eric Ebron, North Carolina
T- James Hurst, North Carolina
T- Perry Simmons, Duke (Made 3rd team)
G- Tyler Shatley, Clemson (Made 3rd team)
G- Brandon Linder, Miami (Made 2nd team)
C- Bryan Stork, Florida State

Defense
DE – Kareem Martin, North Carolina
DE – Vic Beasley, Clemson
DT – Aaron Donald, Pitt
DT – Nikita Whitlock, Wake Forest
LB – Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College
LB – Jack Tyler, Virginia Tech (Made 2nd team)
LB – Denzel Perryman, Miami
CB – Ross Cockrell, Duke
CB – Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
S – Anthony Harris, Virginia
S – Jeremy Cash, Duke

Special Teams
PK – Roberto Aguayo, Florida State (Made 2nd team)
P – Pat O’Donnell, Miami
SP – Ryan Switzer, North Carolina

Second Team

Offense
QB – Tajh Boyd, Clemson
RB – Devonta Freeman, Florida State (Made 1st team)
RB – Kevin Parks, Virginia
WR – Martavis Bryant, Clemson (Made Honorable mention)
WR – Michael Campanaro, Wake Forest
WR – Allen Hurns, Miami
TE – Nick O’Leary, Florida State
T- Morgan Moses, Virginia (Made 3rd team)
T- Brandon Thomas, Clemson
G- Tre Jackson, Florida State (Made 1st team)
G- Andrew Miller, Virginia Tech (Made Honorable mention)
C- Russell Bodine, UNC (Made Honorable mention)

Defense
DE – Kenny Anunike, Duke
DE – Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
DT – Luther Maddy, Virginia Tech (Made 3rd team)
DT – Derrick Hopkins, Virginia Tech
LB – Kelby Brown, Duke (Made 1st team)
LB – Marcus Whitfield, Maryland (Made Honorable mention)
LB – Spencer Shuey, Clemson (Made 3rd team)
CB – Bashaud Breeland, Clemson
CB – Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
S – Tre Boston, North Carolina
S – Jason Hendricks, Pittsburgh (Made Honorable mention)

Special Teams
PK- Chandler Cantnazaro, Clemson (Made 3rd team)
P – A.J. Hughes, Virginia Tech
SP – Jamison Crowder, Duke

Third Team

Offense
QB – Stephen Morris, Miami
RB – Robert Godhigh, Georgia Tech (Made Honorable mention)
RB – Roderick McDowell, Clemson
WR – Devin Street, Pitt
WR – Rashad Greene, Florida State (Made 1st team)
WR – Alex Amidon, Boston College
TE – Braxton Deaver, Duke
T- Matt Patchan, Boston College (Made 2nd team)
T- Ian White, Boston College (Made Honorable mention)
G – Landon Turner, UNC (No All-ACC)
G- Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech (Made 1st team)
C- Macky MacPherson, Syracuse (Made 2nd team)

Defense
DE – Kasim Edebali, Boston College
DE – James Gayle, Virginia Tech (Made Honorable mention)
DT – Timmy Jernigan, Florida State (Made 2nd team)
DT – Grady Jarrett, Clemson (Made Honorable mention)
LB – Stephone Anthony, Clemson
LB – Christian Jones, Florida State (Made 2nd team)
LB – Robert Caldwell, NC State (Made Honorable mention)
CB – Jemea Thomas, Georgia Tech (No All-ACC)
CB – Jabari Price, UNC (Honorable mention)
S – Sean Davis, Maryland (No All-ACC)
S – Ryan Janvion, Wake Forest (Made Honorable mention)

Special Teams
PK – Nate Freese, Boston College
P – Tommy Hibbard, UNC (Made Honorable mention)
SP – William Likely, Maryland (No All-ACC)

Featured stories, UNC

Heels, McAdoo take a step back in loss to UAB

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James Michael McAdoo.
James Michael McAdoo.
Just when it looked as if UNC had found itself after nice wins over Richmond and powerhouse Louisville, the Tar Heels returned to their old ways in 63-59 loss at Alabama-Birmingham.

Tar Heel faithful had hoped they’d seen the last of the Tar Heel squad that lost to Belmont and were excited after the big win over Louisville. But Carolina took a step back, missing a slew of free throws and being outrebounded 52-37 against UAB, coached by former Kansas player and UNC assistant Jerod Haase.

“He got his team to compete a heck of a lot better than I got mine,” UNC coach Roy Williams said. “They seemed to get every loose ball and every second chance shot.”

One of those players who was beat out for those loose balls and rebounds was junior James Michael McAdoo, who was a mere three of 13 from the floor, zero of three from the line and he had just four rebounds. At the risk of being accused of speculating wildly, I’ve gotta think something is going on personally. A girlfriend issue, class problems, personality conflicts on the team, something. Because he looked better the second half of his freshman season than he’s looking now.

He’s not only tentative and seemingly unsure on occasion but he is making freshman errors, especially in regard to taking bad shots. In fact, not known as a three-point shooter, he took three of them and looked bad on each one.

“He’s rushing himself,” Williams said. Ok, I wonder why he is doing that? “We’ve got to get him playing better,” Williams said.

True.

For more on the game, please click here.

Boxscore

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Ebron, leaving UNC early, shouldn’t be honored with seniors

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Eric Ebron.
Eric Ebron.
North Carolina junior tight end Eric Ebron has elected to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL Draft. Since he is ranked as the No. 12 overall player by ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper, it may very well be a good decision. But the timing of the announcement is so he will be honored with the outgoing seniors. He shouldn’t be.

The native of Greensboro, leads the Tar Heels with 50 receptions for 774 yards and has three touchdowns and he is the UNC single-season and career leader for catches and receiving yards by a tight end. Entering Saturday’s regular-season finale vs. Duke, he has 100 career catches for 1,606 yards.

The seniors – those who committed to the University, the program, the fans – will be honored.

UNC coach Larry Fedora said, “I think part of [announcing this now] is he knows this is going to be his last home game and he would like to go through the process that the seniors do where we acknowledge the seniors for their last home game. I’d love for him and his family to be a part of that.”

There are many advantages to going pro early and there are many for staying in school. By honoring someone as a senior who didn’t stay through his senior year, it diminishes the accomplishment of the seniors and lets future early leavers know that they won’t have to sacrifice the feeling of leaving as a senior.

For his part, Ebron said, “I’ve had a great time in Chapel Hill and I appreciate everything Coach Fedora and the coaching staff has done for me. Coming to Carolina allowed me to develop as both a person and a football player. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I look forward to finishing the season with my teammates and then moving on to the next level.”

Going to UNC is about more than developing as a football player and a person, it’s about an education.

I understand that’s a quaint thought these days. And again, Ebron might well be making the best decision for him. After all he is a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which is presented to the nation’s top tight end.

I can understand how Coach Fedora appreciates Ebron and how he is excited for him and his future and even how he thinks it’s a good decision. But you don’t reward people who aren’t seniors with a senior day.

Unfortunately, when he is introduced as playing his last home game Saturday, he will probably get a bigger ovation than those who are graduating as seniors.

The skinny

Duke’s Crowder, UNC’s Logan honored with weekly ACC honors

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Jamison Crowder.
Jamison Crowder.
Boston College running back Andre Williams and Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald lead a group of nine Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week announced on Monday.

The Eagles’ Williams was named the ACC Offensive Back of the Week after he rushed for 263 yards to become the first player in ACC history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark for the season in Saturday’s ACC road win at Maryland. The Panthers’ Donald, who was also named the Walter Camp Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week, picked up ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors after playing a decisive role in Pitt’s one-point ACC win at Syracuse.

Williams is one of three Boston College student-athletes to be recognized. Other ACC honorees this week include the Eagles’ Matt Patchan as Offensive Lineman of the Week, Duke’s Jamison Crowder as Receiver of the Week and Syracuse’s Cam Lynch as Linebacker of the Week. Miami’s Tracy Howard and Syracuse’s Durell Eskridge were recognized as Co-Defensive Backs of the Week, Boston College’s Nate Freese as Specialist of the Week and North Carolina’s T.J. Logan as Rookie of the Week.

The ACC Offensive Back of the Week honor is Williams’ second straight and third of the season. Duke’s Crowder was recognized for the fourth time overall (twice as ACC Receiver of the Week, twice as Specialist of the Week). Boston College’s Patchan was honored for the second straight week and second time overall. Pitt’s Donald and Syracuse’s Eskridge were also cited for the second time this season.

OFFENSIVE BACK – Andre Williams, Boston College, Sr., RB, 6-0, 227, Schnecksville, Pa

Williams carried 32 times for 263 yards and two touchdowns in Boston College’s 29-26 ACC win at Maryland, marking the senior’s fifth 200-plus yard rushing effort of the season. Williams brought the visiting Eagles within four points on a 72-yard touchdown run with 10:33 left in the fourth quarter. Later, with the score tied at 26 with less than one minute remaining, he rushed 36 yards to the Maryland 37 yard-line to set up Nate Freese’s game-winning field goal. Williams lifted his 11-game season total to 320 carries for 2,073 yards and 16 touchdowns to become the 16th running back in FBS history – and first since Connecticut’s Donald Brown in 2008 (2,083) – to record 2,000 rushing yards in a season.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Matt Patchan, Boston College, Sr., LT, 6-7, 300, Tampa, Fla.

Patchan graded out at 86 percent with two knockdown blocks to lead Boston College’s offensive line that paved the way for Andre Williams to run for 263 yards and two touchdowns and earn a 29-26 victory at Maryland. The Eagles produced more than 250 yards on the ground for the third straight game and are averaging 220 rushing yards per game this season, a mark good for second in the ACC and 21st among all FBS teams.

RECEIVER – Jamison Crowder, Duke, Jr., WR, 5-9, 175, Monroe, N.C.

Crowder caught 10 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns in Duke’s 28-21 win at Wake Forest on Saturday. He added one rushing attempt for nine yards to finish with 130 all-purpose yards. Crowder caught touchdown passes of 10 and 58 yards from quarterback Anthony Boone in pushing his season receiving yardage total to 1,077. Crowder joined former Blue Devil great Clarkston Hines as just the second player in Duke history to post multiple 1,000-yard receiving campaigns. Crowder now has 83 catches on the season, two catches shy of the school record of 85 set last year by Conner Vernon.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Aaron Donald, Pitt, Sr., DT, 6-0, 285, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Donald made the decisive play in Pitt’s 17-16 win at Syracuse on Saturday by blocking an extra point. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy totaled nine tackles (eight solo), 3.5 tackles for loss (minus 17 yards) and two quarterback hurries. More than half of Donald’s total tackles this season (51) have come behind the line of scrimmage (26.0).

LINEBACKER – Cam Lynch, Syracuse, Jr, LB, 5-11, 230, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Lynch had 11 total tackles, including three for lost yardage and two sacks, plus a quarterback hurry in Saturday’s one-point loss to Pitt. Lynch recorded a sack for a loss of 11 yards with Pitt on the Syracuse 3-yard line, and then recorded another sack three plays later on third-and-goal to force the Panthers to settle for a field goal. Lynch’s quarterback hurry came on a third-and-7 play to force a punt that started a Syracuse scoring drive.

CO-DEFENSIVE BACK –Durell Eskridge, Syracuse, So., FS, 6-3, 207, Miami, Fla.

Eskridge led all tacklers with 12 stops in Saturday’s game against Pitt, including a career-high nine solo tackles. He stopped the Pitt receiver for short gains on the first two plays of the game, which ultimately led to the Panthers punting two plays later. Eskridge also recorded a key tackle on a Pitt ball-carrier for a loss of six yards on the opening play of a drive that would end in a punt on the first set of downs.

CO-DEFENSIVE BACK –Tracy Howard, Miami, So., CB, 5-11, 184, Miramar, Fla.

Despite recording only one tackle in Miami’s 45-26 win over Virginia, Howard made the biggest play of the game – on the game’s first snap. Howard picked off a Virginia pass on a bubble screen and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. It was Howard’s team-leading fourth interception of the season and the first of three Miami’s defensive unit registered against the Cavaliers on Saturday

SPECIALIST– Nate Freese, Boston College, Sr., PK, 5-11, 192, Strongsville, Ohio

Freese converted a 52-yard field goal – his third field goal of the game – as time expired to lift Boston College to a 29-26 win at Maryland. His 52-yard field goal matched his career long against Wake Forest in October 2011, and he improved to 3-for-4 in career field-goal attempts of 50 yards or more. Freese, who is now 17-for-17 in field goal attempts on the season, also converted a 35-yard PAT following a penalty in the fourth quarter, and averaged 43.4 yards per punt in the win over the Terps.

ROOKIE – T.J. Logan, North Carolina, Fr., RB/KR, 5-10, 180, Greensboro, N.C.

Logan rushed 14 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns in North Carolina’s 80-20 win over Old Dominion. He became the first North Carolina tailback to run for more than 100 yards in a game this season. Logan scored on a pair of 1-yard runs and a 63-yard run. Logan’s three rushing touchdowns were the most by a Tar Heel since Shaun Draughn versus East Carolina in 2010. Logan also scored on a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the third-longest in UNC history and the longest by a Tar Heel in Kenan Stadium. Logan’s four touchdowns were the most by a Tar Heel player since Hakeem Nicks had four (all receiving) versus Boston College in 2008.

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Surprising Meeks, solid Paige spurs Heels to their upset of Louisville

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Kennedy Meeks.
Kennedy Meeks.
Hope springs eternal after a shorthanded underdog Carolina squad, that last week lost to a mid major school at home, upset No. 3 Louisville 93-84 with a strong second half in the finals of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament Sunday.

Once again Marcus Paige set a career high – this time with 32 points – but this was a team effort that saw the Tar Heels come from nine points down in the first half to tie it at 44 at the break and eventually fast break the Cardinals into submission in the second half.

The two plays that really got the pro-Carolina crowd going during were strong fastbreak outlet passes by freshman Kennedy Meeks that led to buckets on the other end. Usual suspect Paige scored on the first one and James Michael McAdoo dunked on the second one for just his first basket of the game with 12 minutes to go.

Midway through the second half, Meeks swished a 15-footer to give the Heels their biggest lead up to that time at 70-58.

In addition to Paige’s 32 points, Meeks had 13 points and 12 rebounds while Brice Johnson also scored 13. Twelve Tar Heels played for Coach Williams – partly because of foul trouble – in a close game against a nationally elite team.

For more on the game, please click here.

Boxscore

Duke, Featured stories, N.C. State, UNC

ACC Night of Legends event to be held Dec. 6

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2013acclegends600x600The Atlantic Coast Conference will host the ACC Night of Legends on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The signature event will recognize a Legend from each ACC institution as well as the 2013 ACC Football season’s award winners. The 2013 ACC Football Legends will also be honored during a ceremony at the 2013 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 7.

The gala will embody the true spirit of ACC Football and will offer attendees the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in college football. A reception will be held from 6 – 7 p.m., with the dinner and awards presentation beginning at 7 p.m.

Dari Nowkhah, the lead anchor on ESPNU, will serve as emcee for the evening and announce the postseason award winners. Tim Brant, the Vice President and Director of Sports for ABC 7/WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., will present the ACC Legends.

The league’s website, theACC.com, will highlight the class of 2013 ACC Football Legends Q-and-As and video features. More information can be found at http://theacc.co/FB13LegendsClass.

Night of Legends event tickets are still available but are selling quickly. To purchase event tickets, tables or for more information please visit http://theacc.co/13FCG-legendstix.

The following ACC Legends will be honored:

Player
Mike Cloud, Boston College
Terry Kinard, Clemson
Wes Chesson, Duke
Jamie Dukes, Florida State
Robert Lavette, Georgia Tech
Boomer Esiason, Maryland
Edgerrin James, Miami
Ken Willard, North Carolina
Dave Buckey, NC State
Don Buckey, NC State
Johnny Majors, Pittsburgh
Floyd Little, Syracuse
Tom Scott, Virginia
André Davis, Virginia Tech
Jay Venuto, Wake Forest

The following Players and Coaches awards will be presented:

Jacob’s Blocking Trophy
Brian Piccolo Award
Jim Tatum Award
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Overall Rookie of the Year
Offensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year
Overall Play of the Year
Coach of the Year

2013 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship: The 2013 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game will be played Dec. 7 in primetime at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. The nationally televised game will feature the Atlantic Division Champion, Florida State, against the Coastal Division Champion. To purchase tickets, and for more information on the full weekend of ACC festivities, visit http://theacc.co/ACCFCG.

Featured stories

Predictions for second round of high school football playoffs

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hsfootballhelmet3It’s week two of the high school football playoffs. It’s going to be partly cloudy and humid tonight Friday, Nov. 22, with temps a comfortable 60. Tonight’s radio game of the week on 99.9 The Fan is Wakefield at Millbrook.

Updated High School Football Brackets

All games tonight start at 7:30 pm. Try to make a point to get out there and support high school athletics before the season is over.

My record in picking playoff games was a season-best 14-1. Combined with the regular season record of 114-36, my record stands at 128-37. Last week, with the higher-seeded teams playing at home, I picked only three underdogs picked: Cardinal Gibbons, South View and Wake Forest – and they all won. Below, the predicted winners for this week are in bold. As you can see, the local teams have dwindled.

Orange at Cleveland
Cardinal Gibbons at Southern Durham
Hillside at Knightdale
Millbrook at Wakefield
Wake Forest at Pinecrest
Garner at Jack Britt
Southview at Middle Creek

Featured stories, UNC

Carolina Advances 1-0 Over USF In NCAA First Round

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Omar Holness.
Omar Holness.
North Carolina advanced past USF, 1-0, on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament in Chapel Hill.

Carolina (9-5-5) will play at No. 12 seed UC Irvine on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET in Irvine, Calif.

For the second-straight match, Carolina got another quick goal to take a 1-0 lead. This time the early goal came from Omar Holness at the 3:27 mark. Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler started the play with a corner kick, sending a perfect deep cross that Holness one-touched into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

Vandermaas-Peeler earned his team-leading fourth assist on the play.

All-ACC keeper Brendan Moore made two saves to notch his ACC-leading 10th clean sheet of the season for the Tar Heels.

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Duke, Featured stories, N.C. State, UNC

ACC women’s basketball roundup: Duke No. 2, UNC No. 12

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acclogo2The ACC has four teams ranked in the third AP and USA Today polls released this week. Duke holds steady at No. 2/2, Notre Dame stands at No. 5/6, while Maryland and North Carolina rank No. 8/8 and No. 12/12, respectively.

ACC Player and Rookie of the Week
Maryland senior forward Alyssa Thomas and North Carolina freshman guard Allison Gray have been named the ACC Women’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week, as voted on by the Blue Ribbon Panel. Thomas scored a team-high 20 points and added 14 rebounds in Terps’ loss to No. 1/1 Connecticut on Nov. 15, while Gray came off the bench to average 22.5 points and 10 rebounds in a 1-1 week for the Tar Heels. Gray posted a career-high 30 points in UNC’s 78-68 win at UCLA on Nov. 17.

Undefeated
Six ACC teams have posted undefeated starts to their seasons: Florida State, Duke, NC State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Notre Dame. Virginia Tech is 4-0 for the seventh time
in 38 seasons and the first time under head coach Dennis Wolff.

Wins Against the Ranked
The ACC has already picked up two wins against Top-25 teams this season. Duke defeated No. 9/9 California, 70-58, on Nov. 10, and Notre Dame topped No. 19/18 Michigan State, 81-62, on Nov. 11. Duke’s win at the ninth-ranked Golden Bears marked its first win in a season opener against a top-10 team in program history.