Around the ACC: Week 2 Recap

By: Justin Cates | Managing Editor

(2-0) No. 13 Louisville 62
(1-1) Syracuse 28

Louisville went wild against the Orange Friday night and Lamar Jackson stole the show with an incredible first half. Jackson passed for 411 yards and ran for 199 more with five total touchdowns. Brandon Radcliff added 156 yards on just 10 carries for a Louisville offense that steamrolled over the Syracuse defense all evening. Eric Dungey completed less than half of his passes (25 of 51) but he had some positive moments in throwing for 255 yards and three touchdowns for the Orange.

 

(1-1, 0-1) Boston College 26
(0-2) UMass 7

The Minutemen got out to an early lead but Boston College was able to right the ship and stave off disaster in the Eagles’ home opener. Patrick Towles struggled to fully get on track completing just 12 of 22 passes for 191 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also had a game-high 66 yards rushing on 12 carries. Jon Hilliman gained just 2.5 yards per carry, but did manage to chip in a rushing score. Kicker and punter Mike Knoll is off to a nice start for BC with two field goals and had nine punts for an average of 41.9 yards per kick. The Eagles play at Virginia Tech next week.

 

(1-1) N.C. State 30
(1-1) East Carolina 33

East Carolina has now beaten ACC teams in six consecutive contests and are looking like a strong early frontrunner to win Conference USA. ECU won on a decisive 14-play drive to take the lead with 5:49 left to play in the fourth quarter. The Pirates have defeated N.C. State, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech twice each during the current ACC winning streak. Matthew Dayes gained 103 yards on just 14 carries for the Wolfpack while Reggie Gallaspy II, Ryan Finley, and Jaylen Samuels all scored rushing touchdowns. State hosts Old Dominion (1-1) next week.

 
(1-1)Penn State 39
(2-0) Pittsburgh 42

Pitt fans are starting to believe that a special season is in store for year two under Pat Narduzzi. Quadree Henderson had plenty to be happy about with an 84-yard kickoff return plus 58 receiving yards and 47 on the ground. He also caught a touchdown pass. James Conner was impressive yet again with 117 yards rushing and a score for the improving Panthers. The Pitt defense allowed just 70 yards on the ground, but were gouged in the passing game for 332 yards by Penn State sophomore Trace McSorley. They head to Oklahoma State next weekend.

 

(1-2) Charleston Southern 8
(2-0) No. 3 Florida State 52

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The biggest news out of this game was a knee injury to versatile safety Derwin James suffered in the third quarter of Saturday’s romp. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out after surgery, but that’s definitely a considerable blow to a very impressive FSU secondary. Dalvin Cook finished the day with 83 yards and two touchdowns against CSU while quarterback Deandre Francois was strong again with 262 yards and three passing scores. Two of those were to Travis Rudolph who pulled down seven catches for 105 yards. The Seminoles travel to Louisville next week in another major early-season test.

 
(1-1) Troy 24
(2-0) No. 2 Clemson 30

The play above by Ray-Ray McCloud was representative of the whole day as Clemson struggled against Troy. DeShaun Watson threw for 292 yards and three touchdown passes, but also tossed two interceptions. Watson was the leading rusher (55 yards) for a Tiger ground game that simply couldn’t get going. The rest of the team combined for 20 carries for just 69 yards. Clemson did intercept three passes on defense with one each from Jalen Williams, Dorian O’Daniel, and Kendall Joseph. A return to form against South Carolina State next week would ease many minds down at Clemson.

 

(0-2) Mercer 10
(2-0, 1-0) Georgia Tech 35

Justin Thomas ran for 69 yards and passed for 80 yards in a comfortable win for the Yellow Jackets. Thomas ran for a touchdown as did Marcus Marshall. Backup quarterback Matthew Jordan ran for 44 yards and two scores. Mercer QB John Russ passed for 235 yards and a touchdown but the Bears managed just 85 rushing yards as a team. Georgia Tech takes on SEC foe Vanderbilt in another very winnable game in what Paul Johnson hopes is a rebound season.

 

(2-0) Wake Forest 24
(1-1) Duke 14

Two weeks in and we’ve had our first surprise in conference play. Wake Forest finally found some offense and possibly a starting QB in the form on Kendall Hinton. He completed 6 of 11 passes for 133 yards and an interception and ran for 63 yards while moving the offense efficiently. Freshman running back Cade Carney finished with 108 and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Duke reverted to last season when they absolutely could not run the ball. Saturday ended with 30 carries for 37 yards including 19 carries for just six yards from quarterback Daniel Jones. Wake hosts Delaware next week and is suddenly thinking about qualifying for a bowl game this season. Duke travels to Northwestern for a game of huge importance for both programs.

 
(1-1) Florida Atlantic 10
(2-0) No. 25 Miami 38

Miami had an easy win but it wasn’t the cleanest effort. Brad Kaaya tossed two interceptions and the Canes instead rode the running game to victory. Mark Walton had 155 yards and four touchdowns on the day while Joseph Yearby added 121 yards and a score of his own. Miami certainly appears to have one of its deepest offensive backfields since the early 2000s, but it’s worth noting that the competition hasn’t been daunting. That changes next week for Miami with a road trip to Appalachian State.

 

(1-1) North Carolina 48
(1-1) Illinois 23

The first half was close and UNC didn’t completely pull away until the fourth quarter, but it’s a nice win after a tough loss last week to Georgia. Mitch Trubisky was improved and completed 19 of 24 passes for 265 yards and two scores. He also gained 42 yards and scored twice on the ground. Elijah Hood added 88 yards and two more touchdowns. The Carolina run defense gave up 187 yards rushing including 116 to Ke’Shawn Vaughn. That won’t make Gene Chizik happy, but the pass defense continues to be a strength allowing just 3.6 yards per pass completion against the Illini. James Madison visits Chapel Hill next weekend.

 

(1-1) Virginia Tech 24
(2-0) No. 17 Tennessee 45

The Hokies raced out to a 14-0 first quarter lead before lost fumbles and a strong Tennessee squad turned the game into a laugher. That’s been an unreal issue for Tech and through two games, the Hokies have lost nine fumbles. Travon McMillian had 127 yards and a touchdown for Tech, but lost one of the fumbles. The Hokies were also torched for 239 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs rushed for 106 yards and two TDs and threw for 91 yards but three touchdowns. Tech routinely gave Tennessee short fields to work with after turnovers. That will have to be cleaned up before Boston College comes calling next week.

 

(0-2) Virginia 26
(2-0) No. 24 Oregon 44

The Wahoos found a running game on the west coast, but they forgot to pack a defense. Albert Reid ran for 126 yards and a touchdown to add to his 42-yard kickoff return. Smoke Mizzell also gained 48 yards and a touchdown rushing. Kurt Benkert threw two interceptions for the ‘Hoos and managed a quarterback rating of just 40.5. Oregon’s Dakota Prukop passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns and Royce Freeman ran for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Virginia travels to take on Connecticut next weekend.

 

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