ACC Football, Week 9: No. 16 FSU And No. 22 Miami Fall, Duke Gets Out-Of-Conference Win, UNC Survives

If there's one thing ACC football has ever done right, it's scheduling its big divisional matchups for the end of the season. Virginia Tech has a multi-game lead on a three-team pileup in the Coastal Division, but has a game remaining against each of those teams. The Hokies have road games against Miami and North Carolina, and get the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at home this Thursday.

If the Jackets can salvage their season by shocking the Hokies, they'll still need to beat the Canes at home and hope for another Virginia Tech loss. Oh, and beat Duke, who just beat Navy. You know, Navy? The team that runs Tech's offense with a better quarterback and has the same record as Tech, plus a more disciplined defense?

Carolina has four conference games left, including a tough road trip to Florida State and home games against Virginia Tech and N.C. State. Miami has the easiest path of the four, with Maryland and VT at home, but has been perhaps the most inconsistent team in the nation's most inconsistent conference. Actually, the ACC has been pretty consistent this year. NEW TOPIC.

Florida State still leads in the Atlantic, with three winnable games left against UNC, Maryland, and Clemson. Those last two, plus N.C. State, remain in the running, and they all play each other in very confusing configurations. It looks like Maryland has the toughest remaining schedule, and FSU has the easiest.

Pencil in Virginia Tech and Florida State for Charlotte, but keep your eraser poised above the Noles.

Duke’s halftime lead of 24-0 raised a lot of eyebrows around the league. It wasn’t just the score that was surprising, but how well their defense had stopped Navy’s 9th ranked rushing offense. The game appeared headed for a blowout, but Navy outscored the Blue Devils 24-3 in the fourth quarter to make it interesting.

The Midshipmen got the ball back with 1:02 remaining, but were stopped to end the game.

The two teams combined for 831 yards and 43 first downs. Navy was limited to 148 on the ground, and made the game interesting on the strength of Ricky Dobbs’ arm. The Navy quarterback finished 13/27 for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Sean Renfree had an incredible game for Duke, completing 28/30 for 314 yards and 1 touchdown.

Georgia Tech fans will take notice of this game, as Duke visits Atlanta in a couple of weeks. The Blue Devils stopped the option offense dead in its tracks, and forced Navy to throw. Renfree’s 93% completion percentage is also a key note from the game, and Duke’s performance on both sides of the ball should make the Jackets more aware of the upcoming matchup.  

In a day full of upsets in the ACC, Maryland did what it was supposed to, beating Wake Forest 62-14. They led 10-7 after the first quarter, and then outscored the Demon Deacons 45-0 in the second and third quarters.

Maryland made a statement today that they are solidly in the tight Atlantic Race and will be a player down the stretch. In the process, the Terps gained bowl eligibility, the fourth ACC team to do so.

Maryland had a big day from its defense, getting two interception returns for touchdowns and limiting Wake Forest to 155 total yards and just 9 first downs.

Rushing stats were very lopsided, with Maryland gaining 261 on the ground and Wake getting -3 yards in 21 attempts.

Maryland heads to Miami next weekend, and will try to build off the momentum from the blowout win over Wake Forest.  

For more on the two teams, head over to Testudo Times and Blogger So Dear.

The game was supposed to be a rest in a tough stretch of games for North Carolina. William & Mary apparently didn’t get the memo.

The Tribe showed up in Chapel Hill ready to play, and led 17-7 heading into the fourth quarter. William & Mary had controlled the game, and didn’t play like an FCS team. UNC woke up in the fourth quarter, and outscored the Tribe 14-0 in the fourth quarter to win by four.

One of the main storylines of the game was Michael Paulus’s return to Chapel Hill. The William & Mary backup quarterback transferred from UNC, and ended up playing most of the game after starting quarterback Mike Callahan left with an injury.

Paulus finished the game 24/35 for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns, while his counterpart T.J. Yates was 23/33, 238 yards, and a touchdown and interception.

North Carolina avoids the embarrassment, and needs to learn some lessons before heading to Tallahassee to face Florida State next weekend.  

For more about UNC, head over to Carolina March. 

Harris did not return after this hit, and threw an interception on the play. 

Another embarrassing ACC loss could be on the horizon, as North Carolina is trailing William & Mary 17-7 at home midway through the third quarter. 

Statistically, the game is close on all measures other than turnovers, where UNC has lost two and William & Mary has not turned it over. 

At quarterback for William & Mary is Michael Paulus, a former Tar Heel who transfered. 

The only bright spot is that William & Mary is a highly ranked FCS team, placed at #3 behind Appalachian State and Jacksonville State. 

The Miami Hurricanes came into today controlling their destiny in the ACC Coastal Division and were facing a Virginia team that had yet to win a conference game this season, going 0-3 in the ACC. Things were looking great for the Hurricanes, but they destroyed their chances with, count them, 5 interceptions.

With 11:56 remaining in the game, Virginia led 24-0. Miami managed to get on the scoreboard, and made it interesting, scoring three straight touchdowns to make it 24-19 with just under five minutes left. Virginia got the ball back, but Miami was unable to come up with a stop. Ballgame.  

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris was hit hard three minutes into the second quarter, and did not return. He finished 7/13 for 85 yards, but threw an interception on the play that knocked him out of the game. Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple's son Spencer Whipple finished the second quarter, but only completed 2 passes for 22 yards and 2 interceptions.

True freshman Stephen Morris made his collegiate debut for Miami coming out of the locker room to start the second half. It took some time for him to get into rhythm, but he led the Hurricanes in the comeback. He finished the game 9/22, had 162 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Definitely was not a terrible showing for a true freshman quarterback in a road game.

Virginia was 0-6 against ranked teams going back to 2008 (against Georgia Tech), and broke that streak today. The game was the most interceptions for a Virginia defense since 1994.

A takeaway for Georgia Tech fans would be to not let up on the gas pedal in two weeks when the teams meet. Miami showed its athleticism and explosive scoring power, putting up 19 points in just under 6 minutes. Another thing to watch is Jacory Harris's injury. He took a huge hit, and there is the chance he might not be able to play in two weeks.

For more on the two teams, visit The 7th Floor and Streaking The Lawn.

Clemson finally was able to get a Paul Johnson sized monkey off of its back last week, and was facing a Boston College team that had yet to win a conference game this season and hadn’t won a game since September 11^th.

Is anyone surprised that Boston College won? Final score: Boston College 16, Clemson 10.

This is Clemson's third conference loss, and is a killer for the Tigers. They are now two games behind three other teams, all but eliminating Clemson from the ACC race.

All 26 points were scored in the first half, and Clemson had leads of 7-0 and 10-3, but were not able to extend the lead. The Boston College defense held Clemson without an offensive touchdown, with the Tigers’ one end zone trip coming on an interception return.

Kyle Parker finished 21 of 39 for 176 yards, but threw two interceptions. As for Boston College’s Chase Rettig, he only completed 9 passes but threw for 136 yards and had 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

On the ground, Andre Ellington was limited to 44 yards and the Tigers combined only had 88. Boston College had more success, with Montel Harris gaining 144 yards  by himself and the team had 169.

For more on the two teams, visit Shakin the Southland and BC Interruption. 

With QB Jacory Harris locker roomed, the Miami Hurricanes are having a tough time in Charlottesville. The Virginia Cavaliers lead 14-0 at halftime after converting two interceptions, including one by backup QB Spencer Whipple, and a springing defender nabbed an additional whipped Whipple flip to kill the flub-riddled second inning as an official signaled.

A Miami loss to Virginia would be the most ACC thing that could happen in any ACC game today. The Canes have both outrushed and outpassed the Cavs, though that passing thing isn’t going to last unless Whipple stiffens his upper lip, tips his cap, and gets to ripping pigskin into the fingers of the proper people.

After so many Whipple miscues, it’s simple: Spencer Whipple lacks Harris' swag and tends to waffle a little when battling odds stacked against him. Many of struggling Whipple’s ugly, hovering missiles have hit turf or gone inches from being gripped by the fists of Cavs.

Here’s hoping Jacory Harris returns so our next update is actually legible.

Miami Hurricanes QB Jacory Harris took a serious pop in the second quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers. He left the game after lingering on the field for some time. He was slammed to the ground while hurling a deep interception, which probably shouldn't be attributed to the injury as it's something he does frequently:

Via .com.

He landed on what appeared to be his neck and was taken into the locker room. The Canes are crumbling without him, as Virginia put together a touchdown drive and his backup just threw another pick of his own.

The reaction of Cavs fans in attendance is up for debate.

We’ll take the word of SB Nation’s college football editor over the mouthpiece of the bowl Miami will probably end up playing in as long as they stop doing silly stuff like losing to Virginia, but nice try, The Man. That Twitter is obviously run by an especially Soviet EET MOR CHIKIN cow anyway.

Clemson (4-3, 2-2) at Boston College (2-5, 0-4), 12:00 p.m. ESPN3

Clemson heads to Boston College for a noon kickoff and will be trying to avoid a letdown after the big win over rival Georgia Tech last week. There are three teams in the Atlantic Division that have 1 loss and are ahead of Clemson, so the Tigers cannot afford an upset loss in Boston.

Boston College might have a bad record, but they have been very good stopping the run this year. The Eagles have only allowed 83.57 yards per game on the ground, ranking them 4^th in the nation. Their pass defense is lacking however, ranking 80^th at 230.6 yards per game. So look for Dabo Swinney’s Tigers to move the ball through the air with Kyle Parker at least initially, and try to work in Andre Ellington as the game progresses.  

Clemson is a 7 point favorite, which they should cover.

#22 Miami (5-2, 3-1) at Virginia (3-4, 0-3), 12:00 p.m. ESPN/ESPN3

This is definitely a trap game for the Hurricanes, who cannot afford a loss in the tight Coastal Division race. Miami is only 1 game behind Virginia Tech, and the two teams still have to play each other. Virginia on the other hand has come up short in 9 straight conference games, and will be looking to avoid the 10^th straight on Saturday.

An obvious mismatch on paper is Miami’s running game against the Virgina defense. The Canes have averaged 169 yards per game, but the Cavaliers rank 114^th allowing 211 yards.

Miami is a 15 point favorite. I think that the game will be close at half, but the Canes will pull away late.

Wake Forest (2-5, 1-3) at Maryland (5-2, 2-1), 3:30 p.m. ESPNU

Maryland is the surprise in the Atlantic Division race this year, with the only one conference loss coming against Clemson.  Their standing may be inflated however because their only two wins have come against Duke and Boston College.

Wake Forest, after winning their first two games, has now lost five in a row. They are 6 point underdogs on the road. I am not convinced in Maryland, but Wake has struggled in a few close games during the losing streak so take the points but Maryland gets a home win.

William & Mary (6-1, 4-1 CAA) at North Carolina (4-3, 2-2), 3:30 p.m. ESPN3

North Carolina plays an out-of-conference game against William & Mary in Chapel Hill at 3:30. The Tar Heels last three weeks have been Clemson, @ Virginia, and @ Miami. Next week, they start a tough stretch and head to Florida to take on #16 FSU and then host #23 Virginia Tech the following week. UNC hopes to be able to get an early lead and give the starters the second half off.

UNC is a 21.5 point favorite, and should cover.

Duke (1-6, 0-4) at Navy (5-2), 3:30 p.m.

The Blue Devils travel to Annapolis to take on the Midshipmen in the last afternoon game. Navy is looking to win their 6th game and become bowl eligible, while Duke has lost six in a row. Duke has allowed 203 yards per game (107th⁾ on the ground this season, and is going up against Navy’s triple option offense, the nation’s 9th ranked rushing offense at 274 per game.

Duke travels to Georgia Tech, another triple option team, in three weeks, so Jacket fans will be able to have an idea how the Blue Devils may fair come November 20^th.

Navy is a 13 point favorite. I see no way that Duke will be able to stop Navy, nor score enough. 

Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Russell Wilson's touchdown pass to George Bryan with 2:40 left put North Carolina State in front, and the Wolfpack recovered a Christian Ponder fumble inside the final minute to secure a 28-24 victory over 16th-ranked Florida State.

The Seminoles drove down the field following Bryan's catch and got into scoring position, as Ponder's eight-yard rush set up a 1st-and-goal. But on second down, Ponder brushed his running back's side as he dropped back on a play-fake and lost control of the ball. Linebacker Nate Irving recovered with 49 seconds left, and NC State ran out the clock from there.

"It was a man-to-man play where we had a blitz on one side and coverage in the back," Irving said. "They came out in a formation. I saw the quarterback play- action fake, so I stepped up and I saw he had a loose grip on the ball. So I just kept going and it popped out."

Wilson completed 18-of-28 passes for 178 yards, with one interception. He also ran for 69 yards and three touchdowns for the Wolfpack (6-2, 3-1 ACC), who rebounded from an overtime loss at East Carolina two Saturdays ago.

Ponder threw for 196 yards and a score, while running for two more touchdowns for the Seminoles (6-2, 4-1), who had won their last five.

"We came out sloppy in the first quarter and had too many penalties and a lack of execution," said Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher. "It was a hard- fought game and they made the last play."

Florida State used a big second quarter to take a 21-7 halftime lead, but NC State began its comeback shortly into the third. The Wolfpack began the quarter with the ball and went on a 13-play, 68-yard drive that lasted nearly five minutes, and which Wilson ended with a 10-yard run across the goal line.

Ponder fumbled two plays into the Seminoles' ensuing drive, allowing NC State to take over at the FSU 22. On third down, Wilson ran it in from the 20 to suddenly create a 21-21 tie.

The Wolfpack threatened again on a drive that spanned into the fourth quarter, but on 2nd-and-10 from the FSU 11, Wilson was picked off by Xavier Rhodes. The Seminoles drove 59 yards the other way, reaching the NC State 13 for a 4th- and-1. They elected to attempt a 31-yard field goal, which Dustin Hopkins booted through the uprights with 9:07 left.

But NC State followed with a lengthy and daring drive, which started at its own 30. The Wolfpack got across midfield before facing a 4th-and-4 at the FSU 36, and Wilson converted it with a 35-yard strike to Darrell Davis.

The touchdown was not a foregone conclusion, though, as Wilson was stuffed twice before James Washington was held to no gain. But on 4th-and-goal from the one, Wilson found Bryan open in the end zone, capping a drive that lasted more than six minutes.

The Seminoles began their last-chance drive at their own 29 and made it downfield in big gains. Ponder's 18-yard pass to Willie Haulstead moved the ball near midfield, and his 29-yard completion to Taiwan Easterling later in the drive put the ball at the 21 for a fresh set of downs, setting up the final dramatics.

After FSU punted on the game's opening possession, the Wolfpack drove 51 yards for a score, as Wilson got into the end zone from a yard out.

Neither team scored again until the second quarter, when the Seminoles quickly got three touchdowns. Ponder's three-yard rush with 7:12 left ended an eight- play, 75-yard drive to tie the game, and Florida State got another chance after Dean Haynes fumbled on the first play of the next drive.

The 'Noles set up at the NC State 18 and needed five plays to score, getting into the end zone on Ponder's two-yard run with 4:54 on the clock.

Florida State went 72 yards on its next touch, and Ponder's 11-yard TD pass to Haulstead made it a 21-7 game with 47 seconds remaining.

Ty Jones ran for 108 yards for Florida State, while Ponder completed 17-of-28 passes. He was also sacked three times. Bert Reed had six receptions for 87 yards to lead FSU receivers...Mustafa Greene led NC State with 76 rushing yards on 17 carries...Both teams are back in action on November 6. NC State plays at Clemson, while FSU hosts North Carolina.

In a battle to determine the Atlantic Division front runner, and to maybe find out who is the best quarterback in the conference, N.C. State took the early lead midway through the first quarter on a rushing score by N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson. The Seminoles were held off of the scoreboard until 7:12 left in the half, when Christian Ponder led an 8 play, 75 yard drive and scored on an athletic dive that had to go to review first.  

On the Wolfpack’s next possession, Dean Haynes fumbled the ball on the drive’s first play, and Ponder scored another touchdown on the ground, only 2:18 after the first touchdown.

The Seminole defense forced a punt, and Ponder continued to make a case as the best quarterback in the ACC by leading the offense 72 yards down the field in 2:29. He picked up his first throwing touchdown of the day, completing it to Willie Haulstead for the 21-7 lead.

Both teams are 5 for 9 on third downs, but FSU leads total yards 208-116. The Seminoles scored all three touchdowns in 6 minutes and 26 seconds. 

The dynamic Russell Wilson looked out of sync for most of the half, and the Wolfpack will need him to figure out the problems for a chance at a victory.