CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week have been recognized following their standout performances in Week 6 of the 2024 college football season. The selections are determined by a vote of a select media panel. The following are this week’s honorees:
QUARTERBACK – Cam Ward, Miami, QB, West Columbia, Texas
In the Hurricanes' historic comeback victory at Cal, Ward completed 35-of-53 passes for a season-best 437 yards and two touchdowns. Ward also added a 24-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter, leading Miami to its second-largest come-from-behind victory in program history. The Hurricanes trailed 35-10 in the third quarter, before finding the end zone on each of their final four drives. As of Sunday, October 6, Ward leads the country in passing yards (2,219) and passing touchdowns (20).
RUNNING BACK – LeQuint Allen, Syracuse, RB, Millville, New Jersey
Allen scored four touchdowns in Syracuse's 44-41 road win over No. 25 UNLV on Friday - two rushing and two receiving. The Millville, New Jersey, product racked up 129 all-purpose yards in the game, 71 rushing and 58 receiving. He also caught a season-high nine passes and moved into second place on Syracuse’s all-time receptions list by a running back. Allen's two biggest plays came late in the game, breaking a tackle in the backfield on a fourth-down run that setup the Orange's game-tying score with 23 seconds remaining, and bulldozing his way into the end zone after again being contacted in the backfield on the game's final play to win the game in overtime.
RECEIVER – Desmond Reid, Pitt, RB, Miami Gardens, Florida
In the Panthers’ 34-24 win at North Carolina, Reid posted a game-high 11 receptions for 155 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown reception. Additionally, the Pitt running back ran for 55 yards and finished the road win with 210 all-purpose yards. Reid is the first running back in Pitt history to record two 100-yard receiving games in a season, previously logging 106 in the win at Cincinnati on September 7. He leads the ACC and ranks second nationally with 193.5 all-purpose yards per game this season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Marcus Tate, Clemson, OL, Sunrise, Florida
Tate helped Clemson throw for 235 yards and rush for 265 yards as the Tigers have now exceeded 200 yards in both categories in three separate games this season. Behind Tate and his counterparts, Clemson’s 265 rushing yards were the second-most on the season, trailing just the 269 yards the Tigers logged against Appalachian State on September 7. He helped pave the way for a season-high 154 rushing yards from Phil Mafah as the Tigers averaged 6.6 yards per carry in the road win over Florida State.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Fadil Diggs, Syracuse, DE, East Camden, New Jersey
Diggs had two sacks in Syracuse’s road victory over No. 25 UNLV, including a crucial third-down sack in overtime that forced the Rebels to settle for a field goal. Following the field goal, the Orange converted on offense, finishing off the 44-41 win on the road. The senior finished second on the team with six tackles, including four solo stops, in the contest.
LINEBACKER – Kyle Louis, Pitt, LB, East Orange, New Jersey
For the second time this season, Louis clinched a victory for the Panthers with a game-ending play. This time, Louis sacked North Carolina’s quarterback for a turnover on downs with 43 second left in the fourth quarter, securing a 34-24 win on the road. The East Orange, New Jersey, native logged nine total tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss, and the game-ending sack as Pitt moved to 5-0 on the season.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Jonas Sanker, Virginia, DB, Charlottesville, Virginia
Sanker made six tackles, including four solo stops, and logged a 40-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in Virginia’s come-from-behind win over Boston College. His fourth-quarter fumble return put the game out of reach and marked the first career touchdown for Sanker. The scoop-and-score marked Virginia’s first fumble recovery for a touchdown since the 2019 season.
SPECIALIST – Nolan Hauser, Clemson, K, Cornelius, North Carolina
Hauser made five field goals and accounted for 17 points in Clemson’s 16-point victory over Florida State. His five field goals were the most by a Clemson kicker since 2011. On the season, Hauser has made 10-of-12 field goal attempts and 23-of-24 PATs as a true freshman.
ROOKIE – Eli Holstein, Pitt, QB, Zachary, Louisiana
Holstein helped lead Pitt to its first 5-0 start since the 1991 season with a 34-24 at North Carolina. Holstein compiled 457 yards of total offense, including a Pitt freshman record 381 passing yards, while adding four total touchdowns. He was also Pitt’s leading rusher with 76 yards and a touchdown on 10 carriers. This season, the Zachary, Louisiana, native has four 300-yard passing games, which ties him with Alex Van Pelt (1989) for the most by a Panther freshman.