College Football
NCSU's Slay, Graham named ACC players of the week
Published: 2011-09-06 13:27:00
Updated: 2011-09-06 13:31:44
Sep 6, 2011
Maryland sophomore quarterback Danny O’Brien headlines a list of nine players recognized as the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week, announced Tuesday by the ACC. O’Brien threw for 348 yards on 31-of-44 passes to lead the Terrapins to a 32-24 win in front of a national television audience. The native of Kernersville, N.C. ran for 37, giving him 385 total yards of offense to lead the ACC and rank third nationally.
O’Brien is joined by teammates Joe Vellano, the co-defensive lineman of the week, and Cameron Chism, the defensive back of the week. NC State’s Brian Slay and T.J. Graham picked up co-defensive lineman of the week and specialist of the week respectively. The Virginia Cavaliers also had two players recognized, with center Anthony Mihota being named offensive lineman of the week and running back Kevin Parks picking up rookie of the week honors. Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill was named offensive receiver of the week, and Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly was named linebacker of the week.
OFFENSIVE BACK – Danny O’Brien, Maryland, QB, So., 6-3, 215, Kernersville, N.C.
Danny O’Brien led Maryland to a 32-24 win over Miami by going 31 of 44 for 348 yards and a touchdown, as well as running for 37 yards. It was the third 300-yard passing game of the sophomore’s career. He completed 6-of-7 for 72 yards and a TD on the game’s opening drive, and after four series, was 19 of 26 for 228 yards. O’Brien spread the ball around, hitting six receivers on the night. His 385 total yards were the third most in the FBS in the opening weekend.
OFFENSIVE RECEIVER – Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech, WR, Jr., 6-5, 206, Lithonia, Ga.
Stephen Hill recorded a career-high 181 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions in Georgia Tech’s 63-21 win over Western Carolina last Thursday, averaging 45.3 yards per catch. Hill became the first Yellow Jacket to catch two touchdown passes in a game since 2007 as Georgia Tech racked up 365 yards passing – the most in the Paul Johnson era on the Flats.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Anthony Mihota, Virginia, C, Sr., 6-4, 285, Fredericksburg, Va.
Mihota had a total of 16 knockdown blocks on 67 plays helping UVa roll up 240 rushing yards and 256 passing yards in a 40-3 win over William & Mary. The strong offensive line play helped Virginia hold a 15-minute advantage in time of possession.
CO-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Brian Slay, NC State, DT, Jr., 6-3, 290, Ashburn, Va.
A junior defensive tackle from Ashburn, Va., Slay played 45 snaps in only his second career start, and recorded six total tackles (four primary) and two sacks for losses of seven yards. Slay also caused a fumble and recovered two, taking one 52 yards for a touchdown, the fourth-longest fumble return in school history and the longest in 16 years. Slay’s touchdown return, the second of four NC State touchdowns set up directly by turnovers, came midway through the third quarter and gave NC State a 23-7 lead.
CO-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Joe Vellano, Maryland, DT, Jr., 6-2, 285, Rexford, N.Y.
Joe Vellano played a pivotal role in Maryland’s 32-24 win over Miami. The junior recovered two fumbles, the first of which led to a field goal and the second of which he scooped up and ran in 30 yards for a touchdown. The return for a TD came with 0:47 left in the second quarter, giving Maryland a 20-14 lead and the momentum heading into halftime. Vellano also had two tackles on the evening while manning the interior of the line.
LINEBACKER – Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB, Jr., 6-3, 237, Cincinnati, OH
Junior LB Luke Kuechly recorded 19 tackles in Boston College’s 24-17 loss to Northwestern. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native has now tallied 10 or more tackles in 23 consecutive games which is the longest active streak of double-digit tackles in the country. Kuechly also recorded his fifth career interception with just over nine minutes to play in the first half and returned it 23 yards to the Northwestern two yard line. BC scored its first touchdown of the season two plays later.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Cameron Chism, Maryland, CB, Sr., 5-10, 190, Washington, D.C.
Cameron Chism made a number of big plays for Maryland, none bigger than intercepting Miami QB Stephen Morris on fourth-and-three and returning it 54 yards for a TD with under a minute to play. The score increased Maryland’s lead from a single point to 32-24. Chism also had a hand in another defensive score when he forced a fumble that Joe Vellano scooped up and ran in 30 yards for a TD just before halftime. The senior finished the game with six tackles, including one tackle for loss.
SPECIALIST – T.J. Graham, NC State, WR, Sr., 6-0, 180, Raleigh, N.C.
Graham, a senior wide receiver and kick returner from Raleigh, returned three punts for 88 yards against the Flames, including a game-changing 82-yard return for a touchdown. That return was the 11th longest in school history and his second career punt return for a TD. Graham also returned four kickoffs for 99 yards, including one for 44 yards that put the Pack in business at the Liberty 33-yard line. Two plays later, Curtis Underwood scored on a 33-yard run. For the game, Graham had 88 yards on punt returns, 99 yards on kick returns, and a reception for seven yards, giving him 194 all-purpose yards.
ROOKIE – Kevin Parks, Virginia, RB, Fr., 5-8, 195, Salisbury, N.C.
Parks enjoyed one of the best debuts by a running back in UVa history. The Salisbury, N.C. native rushed for 114 yards on 16 carries (7.1 average), and scored three TDs (19, 1, 26), the most rushing TDs by a Cavalier in the program’s history. It marked just the sixth time a UVa player has scored three TDs in season-opening game.
Most Recent Comments
RE: NCSU's Slay, Graham named ACC players of the week
Renner didn't get robbed (smh). While he did have a great day of passing it was against JMU. O'Brien threw for more yards in a meaningful conference game. Details are not lost on tardhole fans, kind of like their former coach not knowing he was sitting on a tire fire.
Renner robbed. Sets ACC record for passing efficiency with over 20 passes and no acknowledgement. Oh well, bulletin board material for next week. He still looked better than Glennon and thats all that really matters.
- Posted by uncman
I agree he was robbed, but didn't realize that the only thing that matters is that he had 1 game that he looked better than your non-rivals qb. Good stuff...
And Graham earned it against Liberty, what's your point? If you're saying it's based on the level of your competitor, then why should Graham be considered? Graham is a great player and I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it, but saying Renner doesn't earn mention because they played JMU is not a fair argument.
RE: NCSU's Slay, Graham named ACC players of the week
Amazing...someone berates a player performance as not being significant due to the inferior competition. I didn't realize the bible college from Virginia was such a powerhouse.
RE: NCSU's Slay, Graham named ACC players of the week
excuse me.. the dukes not the tribe...
RE: NCSU's Slay, Graham named ACC players of the week
there were alot of notable performances this past weekend.. nothing to get your panties in a wad fellas. renner had a good debut against the tribe.. obrien had a very nice season opener agianst miami.. even though there were some critical mistakes.. slay and graham had pretty darn good games.. and there were several other players on our team that had great games. it's nice to get noticed.. but these awards really don't add up to much to me. good job week 1 top performers!
W.I.T.H.
RE: NCSU's Slay, Graham named ACC players of the week
Renner and VT's David Wilson should have been mentioned in this one. Renner did the passing deal, and Wilson gained 163 yards on 16 carries. These writers seem a little biased to me. We had a receiver to gain over 140 yards in 3 catches. What is the harm in simply listing a few more names for recognition?
- Posted by Hokie 94
Good points - curious to know who decides "the" players of the week? Sportswriters? Guess that's what/who you're referring to. Any guy that gains 140 yards on 3 catches would seem to deserve some mention, no?
Thanks, lmartin. It only makes sense that Renner's passing stats are unheard of in College football. I expected him to at least be mentioned. I threw my guys in because some may not read the stats.
Yea. 3 catches and 140 yds is OK with me too. How often does this happen? I was pulling for my guys, and if I don't who will? It only helps when players are recognized from whatever team. A few more sentences takes all of 4-5 seconds.
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