GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Florida State and Georgia Tech each saw an offensive and defensive player earn an Atlantic Coast Conference weekly football honor for their play in key league division wins on Saturday.
FSU’s Rashad Greene was recognized as the ACC Receiver of the Week, and Seminole defensive tackle Eddie Goldman was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week following Saturday night’s 23-17 overtime Atlantic Division victory over visiting Clemson.
Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas was tabbed the ACC Offensive Back of the Week following the Yellow Jackets’ 27-24 win at Coastal Division rival Virginia Tech, while teammate Paul Davis earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors.
Duke’s Takoby Cofield was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, and Louisville safety Gerod Holliman earned the ACC Defensive Back of the Week honor. ACC Specialist of the Week accolades went to Virginia place-kicker Ian Frye, and Clemson freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson was named the ACC Rookie of the Week.
FSU’s Greene and Virginia’s Frye were both honored for the second time this season, with Frye being recognized for the second week in a row.
OFFENSIVE BACK Justin Thomas, Georgia Tech, So-r., QB, 5-11, 185, Prattville, Ala.
Thomas engineered Georgia Tech’s second straight comeback on the game’s final drive as the Yellow Jackets knocked off Virginia Tech 27-24 in Blacksburg. Thomas rushed for a career-high165 yards on 22 carries and scored one touchdown, becoming the first Georgia Tech quarterback since 2011 to post back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. He is averaging a team-leading 110.8 rushing yards per game (443 in four contests) and has rushed for 302 yards on 42 carries in the last two games. Thomas also completed 7-of-18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Hokies.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Takoby Cofield, Duke, Sr.-r, OT, 6-4, 310, Tarboro, N.C.
Cofield helped lead the way for a Duke offense which totaled 437 yards on just 70 snaps – a 6.2 yards per play average – in Saturday’s 47-13 win over visiting Tulane. The Blue Devils’ balanced offensive day included 256 rushing yards and 181 passing yards. Takoby and his fellow offensive linemen opened holes for a rushing attack that averaged 6.1 yards per attempt and had four different players score a rushing touchdown.
RECEIVER – Rashad Greene, Florida State, Sr., WR, 6-0, 180, Albany, Ga.
Greene totaled nine receptions for 135 yards and a 72-yard touchdown in top-ranked FSU’s 23-17 overtime win over No. 22 Clemson on Saturday night. Greene’s 74-yard score tied the game 17-17 with 6:04 left in regulation. Greene had eight receptions for 132 yards in the second half as the Seminoles battled back. He leads the ACC in receptions (24), receiving yards (418) and receiving yards per game (139.8).
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Eddie Goldman, Florida State, Jr. DT, 6-4, 320, Washington, D.C.
Despite nursing an injured ankle that knocked him of the previous game, Goldman was dominant when the Seminoles needed him most in FSU’s 23-17 overtime victory over Clemson. With the score tied 17-17 and under two minutes remaining, Goldman forced a fumble that the Seminoles recovered after Clemson had driven to the FSU 18-yard line. Goldman then sacked Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson for a 4-yard loss on the first possession of overtime and, two plays later, led the way in making the stop on a fourth-and-1 play that went for no gain and turned the ball over to the Seminoles for the winning score.
LINEBACKER – Paul Davis, Georgia Tech, So., LB, 5-11, 218, Cairo, Ga.
Davis recorded a career-high nine tackles and his career-first interception return for a touchdown to help Georgia Tech to a 27-24 road win at Virginia Tech. Davis finished second on the team with nine stops (his previous high was seven vs. Georgia Southern). With the Yellow Jackets trailing 16-10, Davis picked off a Virginia Tech pass, and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. It marked the second interception return for a TD this season by the Georgia Tech defense, which has seen all seven of its takeaways through the first four games result in a score.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Gerod Holliman, Louisville, So., S, 6-0, 206, Miami, Fla.
Holliman recorded a pair of interceptions for the second straight week to add to his national lead of five as Louisville posted a 34-3 road win at FIU. Holliman returned one of his interceptions 32 yards for a touchdown and led a Cardinals secondary that yielded only 117 yards through the air.
SPECIALIST – Ian Frye, Virginia, Jr., PK, 6-6, 200, Bristol, Va.
Frye converted on all four of his field goal attempts and three PATs in the Cavaliers’ 41-33 road loss at No. 21 BYU. Frye connected on field goal attempts of of 23, 41, 22 and 46 yards. He is now 10-of-11 on field goal attempts this season.
ROOKIE - Deshaun Watson, Clemson, Fr., QB, 6-3, 200, Gainesville, Ga.
Watson came off the bench to complete 19 of 28 passes for 266 yards and ran for 30 yards on 12 carries to finish with 296 total yards versus top-ranked Florida State in Saturday night’s 23-17 overtime loss. His 296 yards of total offense were the most ever by a Clemson true freshman, and his 266 passing yards ranked as the second highest. Watson took over on the fourth possession of the game and went the rest of the way for as the Tigers played into overtime before a crowd of nearly 83,000 at Doak Campbell Stadium. Watson took the snap on 40 total plays and did not commit a turnover.
