CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week have been recognized following their standout performances in Week 3 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 & ROOKIE – Eli Holstein, Pitt, QB, Zachary, Louisiana
For the second consecutive week, redshirt freshman Eli Holstein rallied Pitt to victory by erasing a fourth-quarter double-digit deficit. With the Panthers trailing rival West Virginia, 34-24, with less than five minutes remaining, Holstein engineered touchdown drives of 75 and 77 yards to lead Pitt to a heart-pounding 38-34 triumph. He completed 21-of-30 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns, while also leading the Panthers with 59 rushing yards. He became the first freshman quarterback in Pitt history to throw for 300-plus yards in three consecutive games while becoming the first Panther to do so since Kenny Pickett in 2021.
RUNNING BACK – Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, RB, Clayton, North Carolina
Hampton led the North Carolina offense to 45 points in a win this weekend, rushing for 210 yards and three touchdowns, while catching one pass for seven yards. Hampton didn't lose yardage on any of his 25 rushes on Saturday, and 181 of his 210 yards came after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. Hampton now leads the ACC and ranks fourth in the nation with 416 rushing yards through three games. His 210 yards on the ground were the second most of his career. The victory over North Carolina Central was his 11th career game rushing for 100 or more yards.
RECEIVER – Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech, WR, Clover, South Carolina
Lane registered seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown in a 37-17 against Old Dominion. It was the seventh 100-yard receiving game of his career and second at Virginia Tech. The Clover, South Carolina, native also returned three punts for 29 yards. Lane was one of three players throughout the ACC to eclipse 100 yards of receiving in Week 3. His 135 yards of total offense was the most among ACC wide receivers.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Francis Mauigoa, Miami, OT, Ili'ili, American Samoa
Behind Mauigoa and the Hurricanes' offensive line, Miami mounted a program-record 750 yards of total offense in a 62-0 win over Ball State. The Hurricanes' 507 passing yards marked the second-most in a game in program history, trailing only the 513-yard output against UCLA on December 5, 1998. Apart from time expiring in both halves, the Hurricanes scored on 10 of their 11 offensive possessions. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive tackle graded out among Miami’s top performers on a unit that did not allow a sack in 71 plays.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech, DL, Portsmouth, Virginia
Powell-Ryland matched the Virginia Tech school record with four sacks against Old Dominion. Powell-Ryland split the Hokies’ team lead with seven total tackles against the Monarchs, as well as recording two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The redshirt senior also recorded four sacks last season against Wake Forest, joining Bruce Smith, Morgan Roane, and J.C. Price as the only players in Tech history to record at least four sacks in a game. Powell-Ryland and Smith are the only two to have done it multiple times.
LINEBACKER – Kyle Louis, Pitt, LB, East Orange, New Jersey
Louis tied for the game high in tackles during the Backyard Brawl with 13, while also clinching a game-ending interception with 11 seconds left in regulation. The sophomore added a tackle-for-loss assist, pass breakup and a quarterback hurry to help Pitt rally from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to beat West Virginia. His 13 tackles are a career-best, while also making five solo stops.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Donovan McMillon, Pitt, S, McMurray, Pennsylvania
McMillon also logged 13 tackles for Pitt in the Backyard Brawl, splitting the game high with teammate Kyle Louis. In the dramatic, come-from-behind victory, McMillon also added a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
SPECIALIST – Kanoah Vinesett, NC State, K, Rock Hill, South Carolina
Vinesett kicked three field goals and three PATs in NC State’s 30-20 win over Louisiana Tech. The redshirt sophomore scored 12 of the Wolfpack’s 30 points, connecting on field goals from 39, 35 and 52 yards. His 52-yard field goal was tied for the 10th-longest in NC State history. The three made PATs also extended NC State’s national-leading made extra-point attempts streak to 257.