Miller, Mance Named ACC Players of the Week

OFFENSIVE BACK Maryland’s Chris Downs, a senior tailback from Philadelphia, Pa., rushed for a career-high 212 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Terps to a 34-10 win over Georgia Tech last Thursday. In the third quarter alone, Downs rushed 14 times for 109 yards and 2 TD’s as Maryland turned a 6-3 lead into a 20-3 margin. In the second half, Downs totaled 183 rushing yards and three touchdowns. His 212 rushing yards is the 12th-best single-game performance in Terp history.

OFFENSIVE LINE Maryland’s C.J. Brooks a 6-6, 309-pound tackle from Rex, Ga., spearheaded Maryland’s up-front blocking for Chris Downs (212 rushing yards). He was the Tyerps’ top-graded offensive lineman versus Georgia Tech. The sophomore registered six “big blocks” and helped key Maryland’s second-half offensive outburst (28 points, 189 rushing yards). He made his first start at tackle this season after having played almost exclusively at guard.

DEFENSIVE LINE A senior middle linebacker from Warner Robbins, Ga., NC State’s Dantonio Burnette had 12 tackles in the Wolfpack’ 24-22 win over Duke. His 12 tackles included five tackles for losses, three of which were quarterback sacks that totaled 24 yards. With his five TFLs, Burnette has moved past Levar Fisher (1998-2001) and has tied Tyler Lawrence (1990-93) for second place in school history with 38 for his career.

DEFENSIVE BACK Clemson’s Brian Mance, a senior from Alcolul, S.C., had an interception and a caused fumble in the Tigers’ 31-23 win over visiting Wake Forest. Mance had an interception in the third period to thwart a Deacon drive – his fourth interception of the year and 10th of his career. With under 90 seconds left, Wake Forest had the ball at the Clemson 18. A Wake Forest running back burst into the clear at the Clemson eight-yard line and appeared to be headed for the touchdown that would bring the Deacs to within two points. But, Mance came from behind and stripped the ball loose. The ball eventually was batted out of the endzone, giving Clemson possession with 1:15 left. Mance had five tackles, including four first hits in the victory.

SPECIALIST Virginia’s Marquis Weeks, a sophomore tailback from Berwyn, Pa., returned three kickoffs for 172 yards in Saturday’s 37-27 win over North Carolina. His kick returns were highlighted by his school record 100-yard return to open the third quarter and give the Cavaliers their first touchdown in the come-from-behind win over the Tar Heels. Weeks also had returns of 33 and 39 yards. In addition, he also made two tackles on kickoff coverage, as the Cavaliers held North Carolina inside the 22-yard line on six of seven kickoffs.

ROOKIE Clemson’s Justin Miller had 10 tackles, an interception and a pass deflection in Clemson’s 31-23 victory over Wake Forest. The freshman cornerback from Owensboro, Ky., made his first career start on defense and he became the first freshman defensive back in 16 years to record at least 10 tackles in a single game. Miller had seven first hits and three assists. His interception turned the momentum of the game in Clemson’s favor in the second half, one of five second-half turnovers forced by the Clemson defense. Miller is now 34th in the nation in interceptions and his seven passes deflected rank second on the Clemson team.