ACC Football Players Of The Week

Sept. 3, 2001

ACC Players Of The Week – 09/02/01

Offensive Back – Tarence Williams, TB, Wake Forest Wake Forest tailback Tarence Williams rushed 35 times for a team-high 158 yards on Saturday to lead the Demon Deacons to a season-opening 21-19 upset of East Carolina. The Wilmington, N.C., native punished the ECU defensive line in the fourth quarter to help preserve the lead, and his second quarter touchdown provided an insurmountable lead for the Deacons.

Offensive Lineman – Michael Collins, OG, Wake Forest Hickory, N.C., native Michael Collins cleared the path for Wake Forest to rush a conference-high 69 times for 290 yards against East Carolina on Saturday. The 6-6, 292 pound offensive guard provided many holes for the Wake Forest running backs, allowing the Deacons to maintain possession of the ball late in the fourth quarter. The 290 yards is a season-high for the ACC in 2001.

Defensive Lineman – E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland E.J. Henderson totaled a team-high 12 stops, marking the fifth consecutive game that he has reached double-figures in the category, as Maryland opened up conference play with a win for the first time in 42 years. In the 23-7 victory over North Carolina, the Aberdeen, Md., native was the only Terrapin to play all 63 defensive snaps against the Tar Heels, and the 6-2, 243 pound junior helped Maryland allow only four rushing first downs in the game.

Defensive Back – Brian Mance, CB, ClemsonBrian Mance notched ten tackles, including one for loss, to help Clemson to a 21-13 victory over Central Florida. The Alcolu, S.C., native helped the Tigers hold UCF to 17 points under their 2000 season average. On special teams, Mance contributed 98 yards on three kickoff returns, as well as 21 punt return yards. The defensive back led Clemson in all-purpose yardage with 119.

Specialist – Brooks Barnard, P, Maryland Brooks Barnard averaged 50.4 yards per punt on eight punts to help Maryland win the field position battle against North Carolina. The senior punter from Arnold, Md., pinned the Tar Heels inside the 20-yard line on six occasions, forcing them to an average starting field position of the 22-yard line. With seven of his eight punts distancing over 50 yards, the punter is averaging 6.6 yards more per punt than any other punter in the conference.

Rookie – Marcus McGruder, DB, Wake Forest Marcus McGruder recorded a 15 yard sack and his first collegiate interception in his first career start for Wake Forest. The 5-9, 180 pound defensive back from Fairburn, Ga., also broke up an East Carolina pass, as the Demon Deacons opened up the season with a 21-19 upset of the Pirates.