Football

Week 5 ACC Football Players of the Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference has announced its Football Players of the Week following standout performances in Week 5. Honorees were selected by a vote of a select media panel.
 
QUARTERBACK – Chandler Morris, Gr., QB, Virginia (Highland Park, Texas)
  • Was responsible for five touchdowns (3 rush, 2 pass), including the go-ahead score on a four-yard scramble in the second overtime of Virginia's upset victory over No. 8 Florida State.
  • Was 26-for-35 and threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the passing game.
  • Added 37 yards on the ground and became the first Cavalier quarterback since 2019 to rush for three touchdowns in a game.
  • Became just the third quarterback since 1995 with two passing TDs, three rushing TDs, and at least a 74 % completion percentage against a ranked team.
  • Has been responsible for 10 touchdowns in his last two games and ranks No. 1 in the ACC and No. 8 in FBS with 86 points responsible for.
  • Second straight ACC Quarterback of the Week honor.
 
RUNNING BACK & ROOKIE – Nate Sheppard, Fr., RB, Duke (Mandeville, Louisiana)
  • Made his first career start at Syracuse and rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
  • His 169 rushing yards are the fourth most by a Duke freshman in a game in program history and the most nationally by a freshman in a game this season.
  • Averaged 11.2 yards per rush, the highest by a Duke freshman (minimum 15 attempts) in a single game.
  • Rushed for two touchdowns at Syracuse to become one of 11 true freshmen in the country to rush for multiple scores in a game this season and just the second true freshman to do so against a Power Four opponent.
  • Finished the game with 201 all-purpose yards, which is tied for the fifth most by a Duke freshman in a game and the second most nationally by a freshman in a game this season.
  • Averaging 8.09 yards per carry this season, which is second in the ACC overall and the fifth-highest mark among freshmen, true or redshirt, nationally with at least 20 carries.
 
RECEIVER – Chris Bell, Sr., WR, Louisville (Yazoo City, Mississippi)
  • Led Louisville’s receivers with 135 yards on 10 receptions, including a 25-yard TD for his seventh career TD in the road win over Pitt.
  • Logged the third 100-yard receiving game of his career.
  • Was targeted 16 times in the ACC-opening win.
 
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Brian Parker II, R-Jr., RT, Duke (Cincinnati, Ohio)
  • Started at right tackle and helped pave the way for Duke to reach 503 yards of total offense while rolling to a 38-3 victory at Syracuse.
  • Posted an 88.2 PFF offensive grade for Week 5, the highest among tackles nationally.
  • Recorded an 88.1 PFF run blocking grade, the highest among tackles nationally.
  • Helped Duke surpass 500 yards of total offense for a fifth consecutive game, the most for the program since the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl and the first four contests of the 2014 season.
  • Duke’s offense remained explosive at Syracuse, adding seven more plays of at least 20 yards, including four plays that went for at least 30 yards. The Blue Devils are up to sixth nationally in offensive plays of 20+ yards this season and third in plays of 30+ yards.
  • Helped to provide running lanes for true freshman Nate Sheppard to have a record-setting day with an 11.2 yards per carry average, the highest by a Duke rookie in program history.
  • Opened holes for three rushing touchdowns, including two by Sheppard.
  • Named to the Pro Football Focus (PFF) National Team of the Week for his efforts.
 
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Mitchell Melton, Gr., DE, Virginia (Silver Springs, Maryland)
  • Recorded a career-high seven tackles from his defensive end position in Virginia's thrilling double-overtime win over No. 8 Florida State.
  • Forced the first fumble of his career and recorded a team-best fourth tackle-for-loss this season.
 
LINEBACKER – T.J. Quinn, Sr., LB, Louisville (Valdosta, Georgia)
  • Recorded his first two interceptions of the season and the third of his career to go along with five tackles in the 34-27 win over Pitt.
  • His first interception set Louisville up for its go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
  • His second interception ended Pitt’s final drive, clinching the win with four seconds left in the contest.
  • Posted his first pass breakup and quarterback hurry of the season on the same 4th-and-7 play late in the fourth quarter.
  • His second ACC Linebacker of the Week honor this season.
 
DEFENSIVE BACK – Ja’son Prevard, Jr., DB, Virginia (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
  • Recorded two interceptions, including one on the final play of the game to seal Virginia's 46-38 double-overtime victory over No. 8 Florida State.
  • His interception in the first quarter came on an incredibly athletic effort where he tipped the ball to himself while blitzing off the edge.
  • Added two tackles and a pass breakup to help Virginia to its first win over a top-10 opponent at home in 20 years.
 
SPECIALIST – John Love, R-Jr., PK, Virginia Tech (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
  • Connected on three field goals in a 23-21 road win over NC State.
  • Made the game-winner from 49 yards out.
  • Also made good on field goals of 39 and 32 yards and made both of his extra points.
  • 9-of-10 in field goals and 10-of-10 in PATs this season.
  • Moved into eighth place on the all-time scoring list at Virginia Tech.