Five Notable ACC Performances From Week Three
The ACC put up a whole lot of points last weekend, totaling 498 points for an average of 35.5 points per team. Seven teams scored over 40 points, as the conference had a strong weekend. All eyes were obviously on Florida State and Louisville, where Lamar Jackson and the Cardinals totally demolished the Seminoles 63-20. With all 14 teams playing, there were plenty of notable performances to acknowledge.
Louisville Quarterback Lamar Jackson
This is an obvious choice, but it would be a disservice to Lamar Jackson to take his performance for granted. The leading Heisman candidate made Florida State look like a high school team, competing on 65% of his passes for 216 yards and a touchdown through the air and torching them on the ground for 146 yards and four touchdowns in the Cardinals 63-20 win. Jackson was impressive in his first two games, piling 13 total touchdowns, but many were hesitant to give Jackson his due since they were against Charlotte and Syracuse. Jackson silenced the critics with a signature performance against Florida State. If Jackson continues this torrid pace, he will easily become Louisville’s first Heisman Trophy winner.
Georgia Tech Running Back Dedrick Mills
The Yellow Jackets’ freshman running back had a big game against Vanderbilt, leading the team with 14 carries and scoring three touchdowns in the team’s 38-7 victory. Dedrick Mills ran for 58 yards on the day, including a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The 5’10” 210-pound running back was the Jackets’ weapon on the goal line, scoring two more touchdowns in the third quarter from four yards and five yards out. Mills was a key component in the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack in their win against a SEC opponent.
North Carolina Quarterback Mitch Trubisky
The Tar Heels got a huge boost of momentum in their 56-28 victory over James Madison, with the junior quarterback leading the way. Mitch Trubisky was surgical, hitting on 24 of his 27 pass attempts for a whopping career-high 432 yards and three touchdowns for UNC. Trubisky led an offense that completed seven out of eight third down conversions and a total of 635 yards. The Tar Heels hope this game gets Trubisky into a groove as they open their ACC schedule against Pittsburgh this week.
Virginia Tech Quarterback Jerod Evans
Junior quarterback Jerod Evans and Virginia Tech bullied Boston College in a 49-0 victory. Evans tied a school record with five touchdown passes, the second time this season he has thrown at least four touchdowns. Evans went 16 for 23 on the day with 263 yards in the air and an additional 48 yards on the ground. Evans was in complete control of the game as the Hokies gained 476 yards on the day and owned a 35:15 time of possession.
Miami Quarterback Brad Kaaya
The Miami signal caller finally had his breakout game against Appalachian State in a 45-10 victory. Brad Kaaya threw for 368 yards on a 77.8% completion percentage with three touchdowns. Kaaya surpassed the 300-yard mark for the eighth time in his Miami career and is now tied for third-all time in school history with 49 career passing touchdowns. Kaaya injured his knee during the game, but played through it and should be a full go against Georgia Tech in two weeks.
The Confidential 