Whitehurst Named ACC Rookie of the Week

Nov. 11, 2002

— ACC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Monday, November 11, 2002

OFFENSIVE BACK Sophomore Steve Suter who totaled 169 yards in all-purpose yardage in Maryland’s 24-21 win over NC State was named ACC Offensive Back of the Week. Suter scored on a 64-yard run on a reverse one play after NC State had taken a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. The 5-9, 187-pound Manchester, Md., native also caught a pass for a first down during Maryland’s touchdown drive which closed the deficit to 21-14. The sophomore totaled 64 yards rushing, two catches for 44 yards, 35 yards on four punt returns and 26 yards on one kickoff return.

OFFENSIVE LINE Maryland senior center Todd Wike graded out highest among Maryland offensive linemen in their win over NC State 24-21. The 6-3, 303-pounder from Lebanon, Pa., helped the Terps rush for 202 yards and three touchdowns (average 5.1 ypc). The Terrapin offensive line allowed just one sack during the game.

DEFENSIVE LINE Maryland’s defensive tackle Randy Starks totaled nine tackles, including four solos, one TFL, had two pass knockdowns and four quarterback hurries in the Terrapin’s 24-21 victory over NC State. The 6-4, 302-pound, Waldorf, Md., sophomore recorded a pair of pass knockdowns at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter that played a key role in preserving Maryland’s victory over its highest ranked opponent since 1990.

DEFENSIVE BACK Florida State junior Stanford Samuels had two interceptions, returning one 82 yards for a touchdown, in the Seminoles’ 21-13 win over Georgia Tech. The 5-10, 190-pound cornerback out of Miami, Fla., also had four tackles, including three solo efforts, a pass break-up and a team-high three third down stops.

ROOKIE Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst completed 12 of 20 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns in Clemson’s 42-12 win over North Carolina Saturday. The 6-4, 200-pound, Duluth, Ga., freshman had a 241.1 passing efficiency – an all-time Clemson record given a minimum of 20 attempts. Over the last two weeks, Whitehurst has completed 44 of 74 passes for 694 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions.

SPECIALIST Georgia Tech senior Kelley Rhino (Smyrna, Ga.) returned eight punts for 80 yards in Georgia Tech’s 21-13 loss to 17th-ranked Florida State. In doing so, the 5-7, 178-pound punt returner broke the Georgia Tech record for career punt returns and moved into second place in ACC history in both career punt returns and career punt return yards.