Around the ACC: Week Three Recap

No. 2 Florida State 20
No. 10 Louisville 48

There’s a new sheriff in the ACC and his name is Lamar Jackson. The dazzling sophomore passed for 216 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the romp over Florida State (2-1, 0-1), but he saved most of his magic for the ground. Jackson ran for 146 yards and four touchdowns in a performance that left Seminole defenders grasping at air. Brandon Radcliff added 118 yards and another rushing score for Louisville (3-0, 1-0) while James Quick caught seven passes for 122 yards. Jaire Alexander completed the total domination with a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Cardinals have a road date with Marshall next weekend while FSU returns to the drawing board against South Florida.

 

No. 5 Clemson 59
South Carolina State 0

Clemson (3-0) outgained South Carolina State 555-102 in total yards and amassed 27 first downs to nine. Deshaun Watson was a tidy 12-of-15 for 152 yards and three scores before things got out of hand. It was total domination for a Tigers squad still looking to firmly gain its footing in 2016. They did lose two fumbles on the day, so even in a blowout there were things to clean up. The good news is that Clemson started slowly last season too and that worked out just fine. Clemson travels to Georgia Tech next Thursday.

 

No. 25 Miami 45
Appalachian State 10

Brad Kaaya finally went off to the tune of 368 passing yards and three touchdowns for the Hurricanes (3-0). Mark Walton continued his early-season success with 132 yards and two more scores including a long touchdown on Miami’s first offensive play of the game. The Miami defense stifled the Mountaineers on third down in particular, where App. State converted just twice in 13 tries. It was a strong road win and a major confidence boost for a Miami team that still hasn’t been challenged. They have a week off before traveling to Georgia Tech to begin ACC play.

 

Vanderbilt 7
Georgia Tech 38

The Yellow Jackets (3-0, 1-0) cruised to an easy win over lowly SEC foe Vanderbilt. The ground game got rolling with 289 yards which was good for 6.28 yards per carry. Justin Thomas ran for 84 yards and threw for 184 yards and a touchdown during a relatively brief outing. Clinton Lynch finished with 77 yards rushing, 84 yards receiving and caught one touchdown pass. Georgia Tech steps up the level of competition when they host Clemson this Thursday.

 

Virginia 10
UConn 13

Virginia finished with more total yards and first downs, but Connecticut had more points and as Metallica would say, nothing else matters. On paper most of the numbers were serviceable for the Cavaliers (0-3) aside from 10 penalties for 91 yards. That made the difference in a game Virginia probably should have won and had a chance to tie, but an Alex Furbank field goal missed wide left at the end of regulation. These are the kinds of growing pains you just hope pay dividends come years two and three for Bronco Mendenhall. Central Michigan comes calling next weekend in Charlottesville.

 

Pittsburgh 38
Oklahoma State 45

The Pitt defense has been good but it looked like just another Big 12 group against OSU. The Cowboys racked up 640 total yards, 540 of which came through the air. The Panthers (2-1) saw a similar offensive explosion with 527 total yards. James Conner ran for 111 yards and a touchdown while Nate Peterman passed for 237 yards and a score. The secondary needs to tighten up for Pitt, but there’s no need to panic especially if they can sustain the improved offense. The Panthers open ACC play at North Carolina next week.

 

South Florida 45
Syracuse 20

The Orange raced out to an early 17-0 lead before a run from USF put the game firmly in the win column for the Bulls. The Orange (1-2, 0-1) still moved the ball quite successfully despite the loss. The Dino Babers attack churned up 549 total yards and picked up 30 first downs. Eric Dungey passed for 350 yards with two scores but also tossed two interceptions. Dontae Strickland gained 127 yards on 30 carries, but turnovers and mistakes continue to hold the offense back. Syracuse travels to take on UConn next weekend.

 

Boston College 0
Virginia Tech 49

BC’s stout defense had quite a few holes poked in it Saturday in Blacksburg. Jerod Evans completed 16 of 23 passes for 253 yards and five touchdowns for the Hokies (2-1, 1-0). Isaiah Ford continued to prove he’s one of the best receivers in the country with four catches for 91 yards and two marvelous touchdowns. The Boston College (1-2, 0-2) offense was held to just 124 yards and the Eagles were flagged 12 times for 93 yards. Not many positives on that side but BC hopes to return to the win column next week at home against Wagner. Virginia Tech will host East Carolina.

 

James Madison 28
North Carolina 56

JMU gave North Carolina lots of trouble in Chapel Hill, but the Tar Heels pulled things together to avoid a loss against the FCS foe. James Madison led 21-14 after the first quarter, but a 21-0 run in the second period salted things away for Carolina. Mitch Trubisky threw for a career-high 432 yards and three touchdowns with just three incomplete passes on the day. Elijah Hood ran for 106 yards and two scores while T.J. Logan pitched in three touchdowns for the Tar Heels (2-1). Carolina hosts Pittsburgh next weekend.

 

Old Dominion 21
N.C. State 49

State dominated with seven touchdowns in the red zone and made quick work of the Monarchs. Ryan Finley was nearly perfect completing 24 of 28 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. Even Jalan McClendon got in on the act with a touchdown toss in mop-up duty. The defense recorded five sacks for the Wolfpack (2-1)and held ODU to under 4 yards per carry (3.6). State next hosts Wake Forest October 1.

 

Delaware 21
Wake Forest 38

The Demon Deacons are 3-0 for just the 10th time in program history and this win came with tough work on the ground. Wake finished with 302 rushing yards led by Matt Colburn who has taken charge of the lead backfield duties. He ran 24 times for a career-high 118 yards and a score. Kendall Hinton sprained his knee, but John Wolford played well in relief scoring once in the air and once on the ground. Wake travels to play the Indiana Hoosiers next weekend.

 

Duke 13
Northwestern 24

A special teams miscue cost Duke dearly in a road loss that puts the Blue Devils in a tough spot. With the game tied at seven, Duke punter Austin Parker was unable to field a snap and get a kick off, giving Northwestern great field position which was quickly turned into a long touchdown. Duke (1-2, 0-1) was unable to finish several drives with points and the secondary gave up multiple big plays. With a road trip to Notre Dame next up for Duke, things won’t get any easier.

 

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

Leave a Reply