Freshman Justin Miller Tabbed ACC Rookie Player of the Week

Sept. 9, 2002

ROOKIE Clemson freshman Justin Miller had an huge impact on Clemson’s 33-13 win over Louisiana Tech on both sides of the ball. Miller opened the game by catching a nine-yard pass on Clemson’s opening drive, which later resulted in a Tiger touchdown. Later in the fourth period, Miller made a diving interception in the end zone of a Luke McCown pass to thwart a Bulldog drive. The Owensboro, Ken., native became the first Clemson player to record a reception and an interception in the same game since 1964 (Pat Crain vs. Virginia).

OFFENSIVE BACK NC State’s Philip Rivers, a junior quarterback from Athens, Ala., had a record-setting day against the Midshipmen, completing 10 of 15 passes for 309 yards and five touchdowns. The nation’s leading passer, Rivers tied his own school record for touchdown passes and also rushed for a touchdown, giving an NC State record for touchdown responsibility in a game with six. On the season, Rivers has thrown for eight touchdowns with only two interceptions while completing 68.6 percent of his passes.

OFFENSIVE LINE Virginia’s Elton Brown a sophomore guard from Hampton, Va., graded out at 90 percent in UVa’s 34-21 upset of No. 22 South Carolina Saturday night in Charlottesville. Brown recorded 10 knockdown blocks against the Gamecocks and did not allow a quarterback sack.

DEFENSIVE LINE Virginia Angelo Crowell, a senior linebacker from Winston-Salem, N.C., had 12 tackles in Virginia’s upset of No. 22 South Carolina. Crowell, a second-team All-ACC selection as junior, also recovered a fumble, caused a fumble and had two tackles for loss. Crowell leads the Cavaliers and is third in the ACC with 33 tackles in three games.

DEFENSIVE BACK Wake Forest sophomore cornerback Eric King came up with some big plays as the Demon Deacon defense held off a late rally to defeat visiting East Carolina, 27-22. The Woodstock, Md., native came up with the first two interceptions of his career and forced a fumble as the Deacs evened their record at 1-1. King was also credited with three tackles (two solo) and a pass breakup.

SPECIALIST North Carolina placekicker Dan Orner , a junior from Warwick, N.Y., kicked field goals of 51, 52 and 55 yards in the Tar Heels’ 30-22 victory over Syracuse. Orner’s three field goals came on his first three career college field goal attempts and tied an NCAA single-game record with three field goals of 50 yards or more. In addition, Orner’s 55-yard kick was a school record.