CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week have been recognized following their standout performances in Week 11 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 – Fernando Mendoza, California, QB, Miami, Florida
Mendoza threw for a career-high 385 yards and accounted for three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush) in Cal's first-ever ACC win, a 46-36 triumph at Wake Forest. Mendoza completed a pass to 11 different receivers, including touchdown passes of 11 and 2 yards. The quarterback also ran for 51 yards, including a long of 24 yards, as he set a career-high in rushing to help lift Cal to victory.
RUNNING BACK – Kye Robichaux, Boston College, RB, Columbus, Georgia
Robichaux ran for a career-high 198 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in Boston College’s 37-31 win over Syracuse. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and posted a long of 41 yards on the day. Robichaux opened the Eagles’ scoring with a 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He later added a 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that erased the Orange's only lead of the game.
RECEIVER – Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse, TE, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Gadsden had nine receptions for 114 yards in Syracuse’s battle with Boston College. Gadsden’s day was marked by a highlight-reel one-handed touchdown grab. He was one of two 100-yard receivers for the Orange on Saturday, finishing with a game-high in both receptions and receiving yards.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Jordan Williams, Georgia Tech, RT, Gainesville, Georgia
Williams headlined the Georgia Tech offensive line as the Yellow Jackets ran for 271 yards against the No. 8 rushing defense, leading to a 28-23 victory over No. 4 Miami. The right tackle delivered key blocks on both of the Yellow Jackets’ touchdown runs, including Haynes King’s game-sealing fourth-quarter score. Williams and the Yellow Jackets did not allow a sack in the game. Behind Williams, Tech’s 271 rushing yards were 176 more than Miami had allowed per game coming in (95.2) and 65 more than the Hurricanes had surrendered in any game this season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Xavier Carlton, California, Edge, Modesto, California
In the Golden Bears’ first-ever win in ACC play, Carlton led the way for the defensive line. He finished with two sacks to cap off a five-tackle performance. The Modesto, California, native added two quarterback hurries as Cal picked up the 46-36 victory at Wake Forest.
LINEBACKER & ROOKIE – Sammy Brown, Clemson, LB, Commerce, Georgia
Brown made his first career start and was credited with a team-high eight tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack. Brown and the Clemson defense held Virginia Tech to a season-low 40 rushing yards and 1.9 yards per carry. His third-quarter sack was his fourth sack of the season, moving him into a tie for the fourth-most sacks by a true freshman in Clemson history. Brown now sits at 9.0 tackles-for-loss on the season, needing just one more to become the seventh true freshman in program history with 10.0 or more tackles-for-loss in a season.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Jonas Sanker, Virginia, S, Charlottesville, Virginia
Sanker was a dominant force in the Cavaliers’ 24-19 win at Pitt, finishing with five tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, an interception and a blocked field goal. On three consecutive plays in the third quarter, Sanker recorded a TFL to force a fourth down, blocked a field goal and recorded an interception on Pitt's first play of the ensuing drive. The Cavaliers trailed by six when Sanker blocked the kick and scored the go-ahead touchdown on the next possession. Sanker returned his interception 45 yards into the red zone to help set up what proved to be the game-winning score.
SPECIALIST – Ryan Coe, California, K, McDonald, Pennsylvania
Coe booted a pair of 54-yard field goals as Cal notched a 46-36 road win over Wake Forest. The first 54-yard field goal marked a new career-long as the first half drew to a close. Later in the evening, Coe’s second 54-yarder made it a two-score game with just 6:39 remaining.