GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Top-ranked Clemson
and Virginia Tech led the way with two selections apiece as the Atlantic Coast
Conference announced its final Football Players of the Week of the 2015 season
on Monday.
Clemson center Jay Guillermo was recognized as the ACC
Offensive Lineman of the Week for the third time following the Tigers’ 37-32
road win at South Carolina that secured an undefeated regular season. Tiger
senior B.J. Goodson picked up his third Linebacker of the Week honor for his
play against the Gamecocks.
Virginia Tech’s Isaiah Ford earned ACC Receiver of the Week
accolades following his performance in a 23-20 win at Virginia that locked down
the Hokies’ 23rd consecutive bowl bid under retiring head coach
Frank Beamer. Virginia Tech cornerback Chuck Clark was named the
Defensive Back of the Week for his play in the road victory over the Cavaliers.
Eighth-ranked North Carolina, which faces Clemson in the Dr
Pepper ACC Football Championship Game this Saturday night at Charlotte’s Bank
of America Stadium, saw running back Elijah Hood recognized as the Offensive
Back of the Week. Also honored were Florida State’s DeMarcus Walker
(Defensive Lineman), Miami placekicker Michael Badgley (Specialist) and
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson (Rookie).
This week’s honor is the second of the season for FSU’s
Walker, and Louisville’s Jackson was recognized as the ACC Rookie of the Week
for the third time.
ACC Player of the Week selections are determined by a vote
of a 14-member media panel.
OFFENSIVE BACK – Elijah Hood, North Carolina, So., RB,
6-0, 220, Charlotte, N.C.
Hood recorded his first career 200-yard rushing yard game
and his seventh 100-yard game of the season in North Carolina's 45-34 win at NC
State. Hood rushed for 220 yards on 21 carries and scored two
touchdowns. The 220 yards are the most ever by a Tar Heel versus NC State
and ranks as the 14th highest single-game total in school history.
He became the first Tar Heel to rush for 200 yards since Giovani Bernard had
262 vs. Virginia Tech in 2012.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Jay Guillermo, Clemson, Jr.-r, C,
6-3, 310, Maryville, Tenn.
Guillermo played 70 of Clemson’s 74 plays and graded 93
percent in the Tigers’ 37-32 win at rival South Carolina. He added three
knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack. Guillermo had key blocks on
three of Clemson’s four rushing touchdowns, including a drive up the middle by
running back C.J. Fuller. Clemson gained 515 yards of total offense,
including 236 on the ground.
RECEIVER – Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech, So., WR, 6-2, 180,
Jacksonville, Fla.
Ford hauled in six passes for 121 yards, including a 32-yard
touchdown reception, as the Hokies posted a 23-20 win over Virginia in
Charlottesville to secure bowl eligibility for the 23rd consecutive
year. Ford’s 10 touchdown catches this fall are a Virginia Tech single-season
record and ranks first among all ACC receivers.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – DeMarcus Walker, Florida State, Jr.,
DE, 6-3, 281, Jacksonville, Fla.
Walker keyed a dominating defensive performance in the
Seminoles 27-2 road win at 10th-ranked Florida. Walker had game
highs in sacks (1.5) and tackles for loss (2.5) and had a crucial third-quarter
block of a field goal attempt – FSU’s first since 2010. Walker’s effort played
a huge role in limiting Florida to its lowest point total since 1988 and
secured the lowest output by a Top 10 opponent on the road in ACC history.
LINEBACKER – B.J. Goodson, Clemson, Sr.-r, 6-0, 240,
Lamar, S.C.
Goodson was Clemson’s top tackler with 12 in the victory
over South Carolina. The senior also had 1.5 sacks for 18 negative yards and
had three tackles for loss for 22 yards as Clemson held off the Gamecocks’
rally to win 37-32. Goodson had two of his tackles for loss in the first
half, when Clemson held South Carolina to just three points and 150 yards.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Chuck Clark, Virginia Tech, Jr., CB,
6-0, 206, Suffolk, Va.
Clark led all tacklers with 12 in Virginia Tech’s win at
Virginia and came up with a game-clinching interception on the Cavaliers’ final
possession of the game. Clark’s interception was his first of the season
and secured the Hokies’ three-point victory.
SPECIALIST – Michael Badgley, Miami, So., PK, 5-11, 180,
Summit, N.J.
Badgley scored 17 points Friday in Miami’s 29-24 win
over Pittsburgh. Badgley tied a school record with five field goals, connecting
from 33, 48, 23, 45 and 29 yards. Badgley made his sixth and seventh field
goals from between 40-49 yards this season. He also connected on two
extra points and moved to a perfect 38-of-38 in extra points this season.
Badgley has successfully converted a school-record 25 field goals this season.
ROOKIE – Lamar Jackson, Louisville, Fr., QB, 6-3, 196,
Boynton Beach, Fla.
Jackson accounted for 316 total yards versus Kentucky to set
the school’s freshman record for total offense in a season. He rushed for
a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing for 130 yards and
another TD in Louisville’s 38-24 win. Jackson has nine rushing touchdowns this
season, setting another single-season school record for rushing touchdowns by a
quarterback.
