Around The ACC: Week 1 Recap

By: Justin Cates | Managing Editor


 

The opening weekend of college football is in the books and the ACC is standing tall after multiple wins over SEC teams. Here’s a quick rundown of all the weekend’s action among ACC teams.
 
Charlotte 14 No. 19 Louisville 70

Charlotte was no match for Lamar Jackson who completed 17 of 23 passes for 286 yards and six touchdowns. Overall, he finished with a school-record eight scores in the glorified scrimmage. Among the touchdowns was a pass thrown from receiver and former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon to Jackson. Kyle Bollin also played extensively so it felt a lot like last season’s wheel of QBs. Jackson is clearly the guy now though and he’s a special athlete. Louisville begins ACC play next week at Syracuse.

 
Tulane 3 Wake Forest 7

The Wake Forest offense was dreadful amassing just 175 total yards and seven points winning in what can be described generously as the Demon Deacons’ winning formula. Kendall Hinton ran for the only touchdown but completed just 3 of 4 passes for 17 yards, but he led the team with 24 yards rushing. John Wolford wasn’t much better connecting on just 9 of 17 passes for 79 yards. Wake plays Duke next week in another early conference game.
 

William & Mary 14 NC State 48

The Wolfpack finished with 521 total yards against the overmatched William & Mary Tribe. Ryan Finley may have taken control of the starting job for now at quarterback after he completed 17 of 21 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Jalan McClendon threw an interception early and generally looked talented but young. Matthew Dayes scored two touchdowns and ran for 138 yards on 23 carries. State heads on the road against tough East Carolina next week.

 

Colgate @ Syracuse 7:00 PM ET on ESPN3

Colgate went up 7-0 in the first quarter but the Orange rallied and flashed the potential of theie new offensive system by running 81 plays and gaining 554 total yards. Dino Babers insisted afterwards that it would be the slowest game they’ll play. Eric Dungey threw 40 times completing 34 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns. Amba Etta-Tawo caught 12 of those passes for 210 yards and Ervin Phillips caught 14 in the romp. No. 19 Louisville will provide a real test for the Orange next week.

 

Georgia Tech 17 Boston College 14

Boston College is much-improved from last season’s zero-win ACC run, but it wasn’t quite enough to topple Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland. Jon Hilliman returned for BC and ran for 102 yards on 17 carries including a 73-yard touchdown run. Graduate transfer quarterback Patrick Towles ran for a score and completed 11 of 17 for 176 yards with an interception. The Yellow Jackets forced three turnovers on the day and were able to overcome a poor offensive performance that included just 121 yards rushing. Justin Thomas passed for 119 yards and Dedrick Mills ran for 68. Georgia Tech will take on Mercer next week while Boston College plays UMass.

 

Liberty 13 Virginia Tech 36

Liberty took a 13-7 first half lead but two quick scores before halftime got the Hokies into a comfortable position for the first win of the Justin Fuente era. New quarterback Jerod Evans threw for 221 yards and four touchdowns with one each to Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips, and two to Bucky Hodges. Greg Stroman picked off two passes in a fine defensive effort that saw the Hokies pull in three total interceptions. A big concern to come out of this game however were Tech’s four lost fumbles. Evans himself had one on a late pitch in the second half. That will need to be cleaned up for next week’s date at Bristol Motor Speedway with No. 9 Tennessee.
 

Villanova 7 Pittsburgh 24

James Conner was always going to be the story here and he didn’t disappoint. Fully healthy after a knee injury and Hodgkin’s lymphoma sidelined him last season, Conner led Pitt out of the tunnel Saturday then scored once on a reception and another time on a run to lead the Panthers to a comfortable victory. Conner finished with 53 yards on the ground to lead all rushers. Pittsburgh hosts Penn State next weekend for the first time in 15 years.
 

Richmond 37 Virginia 20

https://twitter.com/SpiderFootball/status/772434283554299904

Richmond went into Charlottesville and not only pulled off the upset, but dominated most of the game in the process. The Spiders racked up 524 yards of total offense including 337 yards and three touchdowns through the air care of quarterback Kyle Lauletta. Gordon Collins carried the ball 13 times for 114 yards and a touchdown. The Richmond defense allowed just 38 rushing yards on 21 carries and Virginia trailed most of the game. The ‘Hoos travel to Oregon next weekend for a primetime tilt against the Ducks.
 

No. 18 Georgia 33 No. 22 North Carolina 24

Nick Chubb couldn’t be stopped in his return from a terrible knee injury. He carried the ball 32 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns again the beleagured Carolina defense. Isaiah McKenzie also torched the Heels for 122 yards on six catches. UVA transfer Greyson Lambert and freshman Jacob Eason both played at QB for the Bulldogs. Mitch Trubisky passed for just 156 yards in his debut for UNC, while T.J. Logan (80 yards) and Elijah Hood (75 yards) both had solid days on the ground. Carolina travels to take on Illinois next week.

 

North Carolina Central 6 Duke 49

Duke rolled in an opening mismatch. Daniel Jones scored three touchdowns and appeared to settle in to being the Duke starting QB. Jela Duncan had a nice day rushing with 115 yards and two scores. Duke will step into the conference with a date against lowly Wake Forest next week. We may learn a bit more, but only so much about Duke in that game.

 

Florida A&M 3 Miami 70

Mark Walton, Gus Edwards, and Joseph Yearby all ran for over 100 yards in the complete domination of Florida A&M. Brad Kaaya passed for four touchdowns as well. The Canes held the Rattlers to just 22 yards rushing on 42 carries. Miami hosts Florida Atlantic next week.
 

No. 2 Clemson 19 Auburn 13

https://twitter.com/DanWolken/status/772298456274579457

Clemson had a tough fight on its hand in traveling to Auburn. Mike Williams was one of the Clemson heroes gaining 174 yards receiving in his return from a serious neck injury. DeShaun Watson threw for 248 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Wayne Gallman added 123 yards and a score on the ground. Dabo Swinney gave Auburn one final hail mary attempt after electing not to kick a field goal and instead try to convert a 4th and 4 situation. Things worked out, but this should serve as a wake up call to the Clemson program. Troy comes to Death Valley next week in what should a be a less contested affair.

 

Monday

No. 11 Ole Miss 34 No. 4 Florida State 45

This game lived up to its billing. Deandre Francois proved worthy of the hype in just a dazzling performance in his debut as the Seminoles’ top quarterback. He finished with 419 yards passing and two touchdowns plus 59 yards rushing. Dalvin Cook gained 91 yards to lead all runners. Former Clemson QB Chad Kelly threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns for Ole Miss but also fumbled once and tossed three interceptions. Charleston Southern comes to town next week for Florida State. Ole Miss is still among the favorites to challenge for the SEC title.
 

Follow me on Twitter @BestCates and follow @InsideTheACC for more Atlantic Coast Conference coverage.
 

Leave a Reply