GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week have been recognized following their standout performances in last weekend’s games.
The selections are determined by a vote of a select media panel. The following are this week’s honorees:
QUARTERBACK – Brennan Armstrong, Virginia, Jr., QB, Shelby, Ohio
Earned his third ACC Quarterback of the Week honor of the season after leading the Cavaliers to a 34-33 come-from-behind victory at Louisville • Trailing 30-13 entering the fourth quarter, Armstrong directed UVA to three touchdowns, including his game-winning 1-yard toss to TE Grant Misch with 22 seconds remaining • Twice converted fourth-down throws (16 and 17 yards) • Threw for 183 yards during the fourth quarter • Completed 40 of 60 passes on the day for 487 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions • Passing total was the second-highest in school history and marked the fourth time this season he passed for more than 400 yards in a game • Finished with 518 yards of total offense, second in UVA record books only to his school-record 538 yards at North Carolina earlier this season.
RUNNING BACK – Sean Tucker, Syracuse, Fr., RB, Owings Mills, Md.
Tucker found the end zone three times in Saturday’s 40-37 loss to No. 19 Wake Forest, rushing for two touchdowns and catching one touchdown pass • The touchdown reception resulted in the game-tying score with 21 seconds left that sent the game into overtime • Rushed for more than 100 yards for the fourth-straight game and fifth time in six weeks, carrying the ball 26 times for 153 yards (5.9 avg.) • With three receptions out of the backfield, he was the Orange’s second-leading receiver in Saturday’s game.
RECEIVER – A.T. Perry, Wake Forest, So., WR, Lake Worth, Fla.
Enjoyed a career day in Saturday’s 40-37 overtime win at Syracuse with three catches for a career-high 137 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime • He now has seven touchdown receptions on the season • Touchdown receptions covered 46, 69 and 22 yards, giving him eight receptions this season of 20-plus yards and four of 40-plus yards.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Dillan Gibbons, Florida State, Jr., LG, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Standout on a Florida State offensive line that paved the way for QB Jordan Travis and the FSU running backs to pile up 238 rushing yards in Saturday’s 35-25 win at North Carolina • Played all 54 offensive snaps in helping Travis run for career highs of 121 yards and two touchdowns • FSU did not allow a sack or commit a turnover for the first time since 2019.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State, Sr., DE, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Johnson led FSU’s defensive line with six tackles in the 35-25 win at UNC, including a pivotal sack late in the fourth quarter • Johnson’s sack was the only one for either side in Saturday’s game • Second ACC weekly honor for Johnson, who leads the conference with 7.0 sacks and is second with 9.0 tackles for loss • Leads all defensive linemen in the ACC with 44 tackles on the season.
LINEBACKER – Ayinde Eley, Georgia Tech, Jr., LB, Olney, Md.
Registered a game-high and career-high 13 tackles in Georgia Tech’s 31-27 win over Duke • The 13 tackles tied for the fifth-most by an ACC player in a game this season • Key stops included teaming with DE Jordan Domineck for a third-down sack that forced a punt and led to a Georgia Tech field goal early in the second quarter.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Juanyeh Thomas, Georgia Tech, Jr., S, Niceville, Fla.
Registered a career-high 11 tackles and made the game-sealing interception with 15 seconds remaining in Georgia Tech’s 31-27 win at Duke • The interception at the Georgia Tech 20-yard line with 15 seconds remaining ended Duke’s final drive after the Yellow Jackets had taken a 31-27 lead with 51 seconds left in the game • The interception was Duke’s only turnover of the game • Thomas’ 11 tackles topped his previous career best of 10, set last season at Syracuse (Sept. 26, 2020).
SPECIALIST – Nick Sciba, Wake Forest, Jr., PK, Clover, S.C.
Connected on field goal attempts of 22 and 40 yards in Saturday’s 40-37 overtime win at Syracuse, marking his 23rd and 24th straight successful tries, the longest active streak in the NCAA • Owns a .908 career field goal percentage (69-of-76), the highest in NCAA history • Second ACC weekly honor of this season for Sciba, who increased his career point total to 359 with two field goals and two extra points against the Orange • Now ranks 12th on all-time ACC scoring list.
ROOKIE – Malik McClain, Florida State, Fr., WR, Daphne, Ala.
Five-yard touchdown reception accounted for Florida State’s first score as the Seminoles rallied from an early 10-0 deficit to win 35-25 on Saturday at North Carolina • First career touchdown reception for McClain, who has started the Seminoles’ last five games at wide receiver.