2010 ACC Football: Week 1 Recap, Awards, and Things We Learned

The ACC as a whole looked good in Week 1, posting a 10-2 record overall with a number of blowout wins. Given, most of those wins were gimmes.

Virginia Tech and North Carolina were the two losses, but they should walk with their head held high. The Tar Heels were two dropped passes and a no-call on pass interference away from beating LSU, even though they were missing almost every key player on their roster. And Virginia Tech fell just short against a Boise State squad that's expected to make a run at a national title, thanks in part to seemingly endless no-calls by the refs.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist in the least bit, but I did have to raise an eyebrow to some of the officiating I witnessed this weekend.

But I digress. On with the show.

A Few Things We Learned About the ACC in Week 1

A few things we learned from Week 1

• Maryland LB Adrian Moten does a great Superman impression (see vid to the left)

• Miami and Clemson are loaded at running back

• The Florida State offense looked like the days of old

• It's clear Coach London has injected new life into Virginia

• Duke QB Sean Renfree was impressive in his debut

• Maryland played with some fire and resolve; a good sign for hot seat Coach Friedgen

• Miami looks ready for Ohio State in Week 2

• Clemson needs to gets its defense in check - FAST

• If Georgia Tech can win the ACC again, QB Joshua Nesbitt is a legit Heisman contender

ACC Awards For Week 1

Offensive Team of the Week: Duke

The Blue Devils rolled up 41 points and 542 yards of offense in a 41-27 victory over Elon.

Defensive Team of the Week: Miami

The Hurricanes pitched a shutout, beating FAMU 45-0, only allowing a TOTAL of 110 yards by the Rattlers.

Offensive Player of the Week: (TIE)

QB T.J. Yates, North Carolina (28-46, 412 Yards, four TD's, zero INT)

WR Jheranie Boyd, North Carolina (6 - 221 Yards, one TD)

I normally don't issue ties in awards but you can't ignore what took place between these two in the game versus LSU. They almost single handedly pulled out a victory against a team that should have won by three TD's.

Facing what was supposed to be a superb SEC defense, Yates went off for 412 Yards, three TD's and zero INT's in Saturday night's 30-24 loss, despite not having his top receiver. He would have capped off the evening with the game winning TD pass had TE Zack Pianalto not dropped back to back TD passes. Boyd was obviously his go to guy here, and finished up with a jaw dropping 221 yards on just six` catches, including a 97-yarder.

Defensive Player of the Week: Kenny Tate, Maryland (12 Tackles, two FF)

In a game that Navy was expected to walk away with, Tate played lights out, forcing two fumbles and racking up 12 tackles. His final tackle of the day was his most important, stopping Navy QB Ricky Dobbs on 4th and Goal with 34 seconds left to seal a 17-14 win for the Terps.

Specialist: P Dawson Zimmerman, Clemson (6 - 308, 51.3 AVG)

The Junior averaged 51 yards per punt. His long of the day was a whopping 79-yarder.

Recap: FAMU Rattlers at Miami Hurricanes

Final Score: Miami 45, FAMU 0

My Prediction: Miami 48, FAMU 10

Miami rolling up 45 points and 400 yards of offense should come as no surprise. QB Jacory Harris was nearly flawless, completing twelve of fifteen passes for 210 yards and three TD's, and the offensive line looked a little more solid than I originally thought they would.

What amazed me was the level of talent displayed at the running back position. Lamar Miller and Damien Berry are a viscous combo. I was surprised that true freshman stud RB Storm Johnson didn't see any action, but that may be an early indication that Coach Shannon might redshirt him.

There really weren't any negatives to take away from this one. I definitely didn't expect a shutout from the defense. The Canes looked great all across the board, making next week's match-up against Ohio State that much better.

Key Stat: Eight - Number of Sacks by the Cane Defense

Recap: Presbyterian Blue Hose at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Final Score: Wake Forest 53, Presbyterian 13

My Prediction: Wake Forest 34, Presbyterian 21

First and foremost, you HAVE to watch the trick play by Presbyterian on the video. Insane.

I don't think anyone in their right mind saw the Deacs dropping 50+ points in their first game of the the 'Riley Skinner-less Era'. Yes, it was Presbyterian, I know. But that many points from a squad that was expected to score maybe 20 a game isn't too shabby. They rolled up 415 yards and six TD's on the ground, with 10 different players rushing at least twice.

I'd love to talk positives all day, but there two areas that should raise some concern for Deacon fans. First, the lack of a solid passing game. It was Ted Stachitas' first game, and he only connected on seven of thirteen passes.

Wake has the misdirection down, and runs it rather effectively, but there needs be a passing threat of some sort to avoid a one-dimensional attack. Although I will say Stachitas' mobility was REALLY impressive. Secondly, the defense allowed 362 total yards to a team that on paper shouldn't have topped 200.

Key Stat: Six - Number of Rushing TD's by Wake

Recap: Samford Bulldogs at Florida State Seminoles

Final Score: Florida State 59, Samford 6

My Prediction: Florida State 52, Samford 13

The Jimbo Fisher era started off with a bang, bringing back flashes of the once dominant Seminole offense. Samford was over-matched coming in, but I don't think many people saw Florida State dropping nearly 60 points and almost 500 yards of offense.

The offense flat out looked great. RB Ty Jones topped 100 yards, and Heisman hopeful QB Christian Ponder threw for four TD's in limited action, with Jimbo likely not wanting to risk unnecessary injury with a big showdown against Oklahoma looming.

Defensively, there wasn't much to complain about. The Bulldogs only managed six points on the day, and the Nole D held them to 77 yards rushing, although they did pass for over 200.

Things are stacking up great for next weeks showdown with Oklahoma.

Key Stat: Seven - Number of players that scored a TD for Florida State Saturday.

Recap: South Carolina State Bulldogs at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Final Score: Georgia Tech 41, SC State 10

My Prediction: Georgia Tech 33, SC State 10

The reigning ACC champs kicked off their 2010 in typical fashion, running over SC State, and I do mean running over.

The Yellow Jackets amassed 372 yards on the ground in rout to a 31 point blowout of the Bulldogs. QB Joshua Nesbitt showed why he should be considered for Heisman talk if Tech can repeat this year. He ran 130 yards and three TD's.

The most impressive part of Saturday's rout was the variety of their ground game. 12 players rushed the ball, 11 of which had multiple touches. This was an area of concern coming into the '10 season when Jonathan Dwyer bolted for the NFL after last season. But like I said in my preseason analysis, Coach Johnson will be fine.

Expect a big day from RB Anthony Allen next week. He saw limited action against SC State after taking a shot to the head earlier in the week.

Key Stat: Six - Number of Rushing TD's by Tech and also the number of players that averaged better than six yards per carry.

Recap: Weber State at Boston College

Final Score: Boston College 38, Weber State 20

My Prediction: Boston College 38, Weber State 3

What buzz that stadium must have had. Mark Herzlich made his triumphant return and the Eagles rolled over Weber State. Herzlich saw limited action, but any action period is amazing in and of itself.

Offensively, the Eagles looked similar to 2009. QB Dave Shinskie was shaky, completing only 50 percent of his passes and threw two INT's. RB Montel Harris looked stellar, rushing for 115 yards on 19 carries with one TD and even tacked on 31 yards receiving.

One area of concern has the be the 20 points and nearly 400 yards of offense allowed to the Wildcats. Coming into 2010, the major areas of concern were the defensive line and the cornerback spot. The Eagles only managed one sack and aside from a INT return for a TD by CB DeLeon Gause, the passing defense of BC was subpar.

Key Stat: Five - Number of tackles for LB Mark Herzlich. Need I say more?

Recap: North Texas Mean Green at Clemson Tigers

Final Score: Clemson 35, North Texas 10

My Prediction: Clemson 41, North Texas 13

The post-CJ Spiller era began Saturday in Clemson, and the duo of Andre Ellington and Jaime Harper showed why Clemson fans aren't all that worried. The two combined for 224 yards rushing, highlighted by Ellington's 60 yard TD run on his first touch of the game.

The scoreboard is about the only place the Tigers won Saturday though.

The Mean Green racked up 462 yards of offense (39 more than Clemson) with a very well balanced, methodical attack. It was apparent all afternoon exactly how weak the linebacker spot is for the Tigers. North Texas QB Nathan Tune picked apart the middle of the field, and RB Lance Dunbar made play after play on his way to 116 yards. One positive was the incredible play of the Tiger defensive line. All afternoon they got pressure on Tune and finished the day with six sacks.

On offense, QB Kyle Parker looked rusty to start things out but a few early drops didn't help. Things finally got flowing after Parker found WR Brandon Clear for a 70 yard TD. The Tigers have one more tune up game to get things in order before a showdown with Auburn.

Key Stat: 10.75 - Average combined rush of Ellington and Harper.

Recap: Western Carolina Catamounts at NC State Wolfpack

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Quarterback Russell Wilson #16 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack drops back to pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Str

Final Score: NC State 48, Western Carolina 7

My Prediction: NC State 38, Western Carolina 24

QB Russell Wilson started his final year at NC State in typical Wilson fashion: nearly flawless. He carved up the Catamount defense for 306 yards and four TD's.

Exactly how effective the offense will be in 2010 was is an area of concern this year. The Pack doesn't have an established run game, although Dean Haynes ran for 69 yards, and the offensive line is questionable. They allowed three sacks Saturday and if not for Wilson's mobility, would have likely been more.

Defensively they put the clamps on Carolina, allowing only 189 total yards and only 86 yards rushing. Add to that four sacks, and it wasn't a bad opening weekend for a group returning no starters on the defensive line.

Key Stat: 11 - Number of receivers Wilson completed a pass to.

Recap: Richmond Spiders at Virginia Cavaliers

Final Score: Virginia 34, Richmond 13

My Prediction: Richmond 24, Virginia 21

Who are these guys? And where is the Cavalier team that supposedly had no offense at all? New head man Mike London has worked all off season to overhaul this team, and it appears to have worked, in game one at least.

RB Keith Payne came out of nowhere to lead the attack with 114 yards and four TD's on the ground, and QB Marc Verica was surprisingly accurate, going for 24-35 for 283 yards and a score. Granted this was Richmond, but the Spiders are actually a good team. Good enough I had them beats UVA.

The defense didn't exactly shut down Richmonds offense, allowing over 300 yards but they kept them quite where it counts: the scoreboard. This was a great way to get some continuity before they take on USC next week.

Key Stat: 488 - Total yards by a Virginia offense that was supposed to be non-existent.

Recap: Elon Phoenix at Duke Blue Devils

Final Score: Duke 41, Elon 27

My Prediction: Duke 34, Elon 24

I've said all preseason that Sean Renfree was good. And yes it was against Elon, but boy was he good, completing 79 percent of his passes for 350 yards and two TD's. All-ACC receiver Donovan Varner and Connor Verson put on a receiving clinic, both topping 120 yards on the day.

The Blue Devils finished the day with 542 yards of total offense.

The red flag is the 27 points, 406 yards allowed to an Elon squad that is, well, Elon. Coming into 2010, defense is the one area that looked to hold back Duke from making strides toward a bowl appearance and it's apparent that is a legitimate concern. Now's the time to make some adjustments with their first conference game next week against a Wake Forest squad that dropped 50+ on Presbyterian this weekend.

Key Stat: 79 - completion percentage of Duke QB Sean Renfree.

Recap: LSU Tigers Vs North Carolina Tar Heels

Final Score: LSU 30, North Carolina 24

My Prediction: LSU 24, North Carolina 10

Despite seemingly every starter missing, this one still ended up being one of the best games of the weekend.

I'll go ahead and throw this out there now: 1)TE Zack Pianalto needs to get his hands checked. I'm not one for calling a player out, but back to back game winning catches were dropped.

2)On the second drop, there should have been a flag. Plain and simple, it was pass interference and refs held back. The way Carolina was rolling, logic says another play, and they would have scored.

Either way, it's hard to really analyze this team considering we didn't really get to see a majority of the players that are key to this season.

I do know this: Yates has stepped his game up. BIG time. If he can keep it up throughout the year, the Tar Heels may be a player in the ACC after all. He blew up, and that's without the services of a starting WR or a starting RB to relieve some pressure. His decision making was spot on and deliver looked great.

The defense, considering the circumstances actually played well. They only allowed four TD's to the Tiger offense and kept them under 400 yards, which I'd consider a success. We'll see the UNC defense bring those numbers down if they entire crew back.

Key Stat: 23 - points by LSU in the second quarter. If UNC avoids this meltdown, they win.

Recap: Navy Midshipmen Vs Maryland Terrapins

Final Score: Maryland 17, Navy 14

My Prediction: Navy 31, Maryland 21

I have to say, I did NOT see this coming. Navy came in sporting a rushing offense that's nearly unstoppable and a QB that had darkhorse Heisman mentions. 600 combined rushing yards and a goal line stop later, a Maryland win.

The Terp offense wasn't off the charts, but they used Navy's game plan against them: run, run, run the ball. The Terps ground down the Midshipmen defense in the first quarter and jumped out to a 14-0 lead. By the end they had racked up 261 yards rushing, led by Davin Meggett with 105 yards.

On paper, the defense got worked to the tune of 485 total yards by Navy, 412 yards on the ground. But they kept them to 14 points. They sealed the deal with a goal line stop on 4th down from the 1. Why Navy didn't kick a field goal is beyond me. Circle this one as the dumbass call of the day.

Key Stat: 485-272. Navy actually outgained Maryland by this margin, yet the Terps still won.

Recap: Boise State Broncos Vs Virginia Tech Hokies

Final Score: Boise State 33, Virginia Tech 30

My Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Boise State 24

This one has been circled all off season and it lived up to the hype. Boise State jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter looked like a kill shot on the Hokies, but QB Tyrod Taylor led his squad all the way back to actually take the lead 30-26.

Unfortunately, just like the UNC-LSU game, refs likely had something to do with the outcome. The no call on block in the back on a Boise State punt return took them from being pinned deep in their own territory to having the ball close to mid field. It led to what was ultimately the game winning TD from QB Kellen Moore.

The final play of the game was a bit cloudy as well when Hokie WR Jarrett Boykin appeared to be interfered with on a deep pass on fourth down from Taylor.

Virginia Tech looked completely out coached right out of the gates but did show amazing resolve to get back in it. One thing's apparent: The defense needs some work. Moore had all night to sit back and throw and his receivers were wide open time after time.

The offensive line was a negative mark as well. Boise was constantly getting pressure when rushing only four guys. Taylor and their rushing attack simply didn't have enough time to get going.

Key Stat: 56 - Total rushing yards from Techs dynamic duo of Ryan Williams and Darren Evans.

Peace!

What a great Week 1 it was. I'm still a little mad about the ref work in some of the leagues games, but $#!^ happens I guess.

Check back in a day or so for my updated ACC Blitz Power Poll. And don't forget to head over to the forums!

Harlon Jordan

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