ACC Rewind: Week 1

Aug 31, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers fans during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8 Clemson hangs on to defeat No. 5 Georgia 38-35

Chants of A-C-C rained from the throng of orange and purple-clad mob following No. 8 Clemson’s 38-35 victory over No. 5 Georgia. And after two straight wins over powerful SEC opponents (beat LSU in last year’s Chick Fil-A Bowl), the Tigers have now officially moved from the ‘outside looking in’ class, to ‘college football’s top tier’ class.

The Clemson star players all showed up and had large contributions in the win over one of the SEC’s elite programs. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd showed why he is on everyone’s short list for 2013 Heisman trophy candidates. The senior had a hand in all five Tiger touchdowns, throwing three to receivers and running for two himself. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins showed why is among the nation’s most explosive players getting the ball in a number of ways. Whether he was going deep, catching a screen or on a quick jet sweep, Watkins presence was clutch last night in Death Valley. The junior caught six passes for 127 yards including a scintillating 77-yard touchdown. Running back Roderick McDowell, playing in his first game as the featured back, paced the Tigers, rushing 22 times for 132 yards.

Special teams, big plays doom Virginia Tech against defending Alabama
Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) throws under pressure from Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Nigel Williams (95) during the fourth quarter of the 2013 Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
On one of the weekend’s biggest stages, it was Christion Jones show for the Crimson Tide. The junior wide receiver played ‘Beamer Ball’ to it’s finest, becoming the first Alabama player since the 1940s to score a touchdown on a kickoff return and a punt return. He also scored on a 36-yard touchdown pass from AJ McCarron to lead the defending national champion over Virginia Tech.

The Hokie defense did an admirable job playing with the Bama offense, who was playing with a revamped offensive line. They wer able to corral the likes of TJ Yeldon, Amari Cooper and company to only 206 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, the big play led to the demise of Virginia Tech. Jones’ two special teams touchdowns, combined with safety Vinny Sunseri’s pick six in the first half, Alabama had more than enough to put away the Hokies

New offensive weapons shine for Maryland

Normally its wide receiver Stefon Diggs  carrying the Terps on his back, but  a couple of newcomers did the heavy lifting for Maryland this Saturday. Playing in his first game since 2011, Maryland quarterback CJ Brown did his best Tajh Boyd impression Saturday afternoon in College Park. Brown returned from a torn ACL in grand fashion accounting for five touchdowns in the Terrapins’ 43-10 stomping on Florida International yesterday. JUCO transfer Deon Long caught nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Diggs started his 2013 the same way he ended 2012; with a series of impressive and explosive plays, displaying why he is one of the most dynamic players in the conference. The sophomore stud amassed 194 total yards and scored a touchdown for Maryland, including an impressive 66-yard catch-and-run through the Panther defense.

Georgia Tech beats Elon by 70

In the weekend’s most lopsided game, Georgia Tech pounded Elon early and often, rolling up 42 points by halftime en route to a 70-0 win. Four different Tech players ran for touchdowns in the first quarter Saturday, and the Yellow Jackets rung up 173 interception return yards, a school record. It was also the largest margin of victory by an ACC school ever ( the previous high was Florida State’s 69-0 win over Western Carolina in 2008.)

Quick Notes

– Sophomore Miami running back Duke Johnson tallied career highs in carries (19) and yards (186) in only three quarters as the Hurricanes topped Florida Atlantic 34-6

– Despite a broken foot to starting quarterback Brandon Mitchell, NC State had enough firepower to dominate Louisiana Tech 40-10 in Dave Doeren’s first game as head coach.  Frosh running back Matt Daynes ran for 84 yards to lead the offense.