Phillip Merling Named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week

Nov. 19, 2007

GREENSBORO, NC – Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling was named Defensive Lineman of the Week as announced by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Monday, November 19. This is Merling’s third ACC Player of the Week honor this season.

In Saturday evening’s game against Boston College, Merling registered six tackles, including two sacks for 22 yards. The junior from St. Matthews, SC also was credited with three quarterback pressures on the night, and drew two holding calls against the BC offensive line. In 67 defensive snaps, Merling graded at 88 percent as the Clemson defense held the Eagles to just 60 yards rushing.

Other ACC Players of the Week:

OFFENSIVE BACK-Matt Ryan, Boston College, Quarterback, 6-5, 220, Sr., Exton, Pa. Playing for a spot in the 2007 league championship game at Clemson on Saturday night, Ryan once again led the Eagles to a come-from-behind win. Down 17-13 with the fourth quarter winding down, Ryan orchestrated an eight-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Rich Gunnell for the game’s winning points. In total, Ryan completed 31-of-47 pass attempts for 315 yards and a touchdown in the game.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN-Steve Justice, Wake Forest, Center, 6-4, 284, Sr., Port Orange, Fla. Justice played in 76 of 77 offensive plays in Wake Forest’s 38-18 win over NC State on Saturday, and graded out at 92 percent for the game. Leading the Deacons’ line, Justice recorded 4.5 knockdown blocks as the Wake Forest offense piled up 137 rushing yards and 353 total yards against the Wolfpack.

DEFENSIVE BACK-Aaron Curry, Wake Forest, Linebacker, 6-3, 240, Jr., Fayetteville, N.C. Against NC State on Saturday, Curry led the Demon Deacons with eight total tackles, including six solo stops and two assists. Curry also grabbed his fourth interception of the season, which he returned 57 yards for a touchdown. With three interception returns for touchdowns this season, Curry is now tied for the single-season NCAA record for linebackers.

SPECIALIST-Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech, Punter, 6-0, 202, Sr., Macon, Ga. Brooks averaged 60.0 yards per punt with four attempts in Saturday’s 27-25 win over North Carolina in Atlanta, Ga. With one attempt, he recorded a 77 yard kick, the longest in the league all season. In the process, Brooks moved into first-place in ACC history in career punting average.

ROOKIE-DeLeon Gause, Boston College, Cornerback, 5-11, 179, Fr., Miami, Fla. Starting in place of the injured DeJuan Tribble for the first time in his career on Saturday, Gause led the Eagles with nine total tackles against Clemson. He also contributed one tackle for loss, as the Boston College defense held the high-powered Clemson offense to 273 yards in the Eagles’ 20-17 win.