ACC: ACC 2009 final team reviews
Once again, the Eagles proved their doubters wrong.
This year, though, there were plenty of legitimate reasons to doubt. Boston College entered the season with a first-year coach, two new coordinators, a 25-year-old quarterback who hadn’t played football since high school, and a host of new faces on defense. Star linebacker Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer before summer workouts began, and the backup quarterback and running back both decided to transfer midseason.
It’s no wonder the Eagles were picked to finish last in the Atlantic Division.
In typical BC fashion, though, they were still in the hunt to win it all in November, and for the ninth straight season, the Eagles won eight games. That’s thanks in large part to Herzlich’s inspirational story and sideline coaching, the emergence of freshman Luke Kuechly at linebacker, and the help of wide receiver Rich Gunnell and running back Montel Harris, who helped ease the transition for quarterback Dave Shinskie. Despite his age, which earned him the nickname “Uncle Dave,” Shinskie often played like a true freshman, and was inconsistent. The one constant for BC this year was the outpouring of support from ACC opponents in honor of Herzlich at each road game, as over $132,000 was raised in the “Beat Cancer Campaign.”
Herzlich never quit, and has since been declared cancer-free. His teammates, as always, followed his lead.
First-year coach Frank Spaziani’s experience on defense and long tenure with the program made for a smooth coaching transition, and BC’s defense remained one of the best in the country despite the youth and inexperience. The Eagles were 15th in rushing defense and 18th in scoring defense.
Still, there were many growing pains and it wasn’t until Nov. 14 that BC picked up its first road win of the season, a 14-10 win at Virginia. The Eagles were undefeated at home until a loss to North Carolina sealed their fate in second-place in the Atlantic Division and assured Clemson the division title.
A far cry from finishing last in the division, BC played well enough to earn its 11th straight bowl bid and will face USC in the Emerald Bowl.
Offensive MVP: Wide receiver Rich Gunnell. He was voted the team MVP by his teammates, and for good reason. Gunnell was BC’s first wide receiver captain since 1990, and ranks second on the all-time BC receptions list (175), third in receiving yards (2,329) and fourth in touchdown catches (17). He is the ACC active leader in career catches, receiving yards and punt return touchdowns. This season, Gunnell leads the team in catches (54), yards (750), touchdowns (6) and average yards per game (62.5).
Defensive MVP: Linebacker Luke Kuechly. He averaged 11.83 total tackles per game -- the highest average by any rookie since the NCAA began tracking tackles in 2003. He made 10 tackles in eight straight games, and is second in the nation in tackles.
Turning point: The overtime win against Wake Forest helped the Eagles rebound from an embarrassing loss to Clemson in which they only mustered 54 yards of total offense. It was a key Atlantic Division win, followed by another against Florida State, that kept BC in the hunt for the ACC title through November.
What’s next: The Eagles have an uphill battle in the Emerald Bowl against USC, even though the Trojans have taken a few steps back this year and aren't as intimidating as their rich history would suggest.
This year, though, there were plenty of legitimate reasons to doubt. Boston College entered the season with a first-year coach, two new coordinators, a 25-year-old quarterback who hadn’t played football since high school, and a host of new faces on defense. Star linebacker Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer before summer workouts began, and the backup quarterback and running back both decided to transfer midseason.
It’s no wonder the Eagles were picked to finish last in the Atlantic Division.
In typical BC fashion, though, they were still in the hunt to win it all in November, and for the ninth straight season, the Eagles won eight games. That’s thanks in large part to Herzlich’s inspirational story and sideline coaching, the emergence of freshman Luke Kuechly at linebacker, and the help of wide receiver Rich Gunnell and running back Montel Harris, who helped ease the transition for quarterback Dave Shinskie. Despite his age, which earned him the nickname “Uncle Dave,” Shinskie often played like a true freshman, and was inconsistent. The one constant for BC this year was the outpouring of support from ACC opponents in honor of Herzlich at each road game, as over $132,000 was raised in the “Beat Cancer Campaign.”
Herzlich never quit, and has since been declared cancer-free. His teammates, as always, followed his lead.
First-year coach Frank Spaziani’s experience on defense and long tenure with the program made for a smooth coaching transition, and BC’s defense remained one of the best in the country despite the youth and inexperience. The Eagles were 15th in rushing defense and 18th in scoring defense.
Still, there were many growing pains and it wasn’t until Nov. 14 that BC picked up its first road win of the season, a 14-10 win at Virginia. The Eagles were undefeated at home until a loss to North Carolina sealed their fate in second-place in the Atlantic Division and assured Clemson the division title.
A far cry from finishing last in the division, BC played well enough to earn its 11th straight bowl bid and will face USC in the Emerald Bowl.
Offensive MVP: Wide receiver Rich Gunnell. He was voted the team MVP by his teammates, and for good reason. Gunnell was BC’s first wide receiver captain since 1990, and ranks second on the all-time BC receptions list (175), third in receiving yards (2,329) and fourth in touchdown catches (17). He is the ACC active leader in career catches, receiving yards and punt return touchdowns. This season, Gunnell leads the team in catches (54), yards (750), touchdowns (6) and average yards per game (62.5).
Defensive MVP: Linebacker Luke Kuechly. He averaged 11.83 total tackles per game -- the highest average by any rookie since the NCAA began tracking tackles in 2003. He made 10 tackles in eight straight games, and is second in the nation in tackles.
Turning point: The overtime win against Wake Forest helped the Eagles rebound from an embarrassing loss to Clemson in which they only mustered 54 yards of total offense. It was a key Atlantic Division win, followed by another against Florida State, that kept BC in the hunt for the ACC title through November.
What’s next: The Eagles have an uphill battle in the Emerald Bowl against USC, even though the Trojans have taken a few steps back this year and aren't as intimidating as their rich history would suggest.
When there were finally no expectations, Clemson rose to the occasion.
With a new coach, new coordinators and a new quarterback, there was no No. 9 preseason ranking to live up to this year, and the Tigers were picked by the media to finish second in the Atlantic Division behind Florida State. After a 2-3 start that included an improbable 24-21 loss at struggling Maryland, the critics began to grow loud again, and many wondered whether first-year coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Billy Napier were the right men for the job.
Six consecutive wins later, they proved this was a different team under a different staff.
The Tigers' wildly entertaining 40-37 overtime win at Miami was one of the best games of the season, and gave Swinney the biggest win of his career. It was Clemson's first victory in nine tries over ranked teams, and the first road win over a top-10 opponent in more than eight years. Doubts always shadow this team, though, given its history to implode, and it wasn’t until Clemson clinched the division with a 34-21 win over Virginia that many fans were able to exhale and celebrate the program’s first appearance in the ACC title game.
The defense struggled late in the season, and was unable to stop rival South Carolina or Georgia Tech’s spread option offense in the ACC championship game. The Tigers lost to the Jackets, 39-34, to enter the postseason with back-to-back losses.
Offensive MVP: C.J. Spiller: He finished his career with one of his best games, and was named the MVP of the ACC championship game despite the loss to Georgia Tech. Spiller scored a touchdown five different ways this year, and had three 300-yard games. He finished with 1,145 rushing yards, and 11 rushing touchdowns, and a school-record 20 total touchdowns.
Defensive MVP: DeAndre McDaniel: In his first year in the secondary, McDaniel finished second in the nation and first in the ACC with a school single-season record eight interceptions in 13 games. Seven of his eight interceptions against ACC teams, and four came against top-15 teams. He also finished fourth on team in tackles with 87 and had two sacks.
Turning point: The 38-3 win over Wake Forest. The Tigers had two weeks to think about their inexplicable loss to a struggling Maryland team, but instead of sulking they pulled together to defeat Wake soundly. It was the start of a six-game winning streak that propelled Clemson into the school’s first-ever ACC title game.
What’s next: The Tigers have to regroup from their loss in the ACC championship game and disappointment in their bowl selection to try and beat Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
With a new coach, new coordinators and a new quarterback, there was no No. 9 preseason ranking to live up to this year, and the Tigers were picked by the media to finish second in the Atlantic Division behind Florida State. After a 2-3 start that included an improbable 24-21 loss at struggling Maryland, the critics began to grow loud again, and many wondered whether first-year coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Billy Napier were the right men for the job.
Six consecutive wins later, they proved this was a different team under a different staff.
The Tigers' wildly entertaining 40-37 overtime win at Miami was one of the best games of the season, and gave Swinney the biggest win of his career. It was Clemson's first victory in nine tries over ranked teams, and the first road win over a top-10 opponent in more than eight years. Doubts always shadow this team, though, given its history to implode, and it wasn’t until Clemson clinched the division with a 34-21 win over Virginia that many fans were able to exhale and celebrate the program’s first appearance in the ACC title game.
The defense struggled late in the season, and was unable to stop rival South Carolina or Georgia Tech’s spread option offense in the ACC championship game. The Tigers lost to the Jackets, 39-34, to enter the postseason with back-to-back losses.
Offensive MVP: C.J. Spiller: He finished his career with one of his best games, and was named the MVP of the ACC championship game despite the loss to Georgia Tech. Spiller scored a touchdown five different ways this year, and had three 300-yard games. He finished with 1,145 rushing yards, and 11 rushing touchdowns, and a school-record 20 total touchdowns.
Defensive MVP: DeAndre McDaniel: In his first year in the secondary, McDaniel finished second in the nation and first in the ACC with a school single-season record eight interceptions in 13 games. Seven of his eight interceptions against ACC teams, and four came against top-15 teams. He also finished fourth on team in tackles with 87 and had two sacks.
Turning point: The 38-3 win over Wake Forest. The Tigers had two weeks to think about their inexplicable loss to a struggling Maryland team, but instead of sulking they pulled together to defeat Wake soundly. It was the start of a six-game winning streak that propelled Clemson into the school’s first-ever ACC title game.
What’s next: The Tigers have to regroup from their loss in the ACC championship game and disappointment in their bowl selection to try and beat Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
For the second straight season under coach David Cutcliffe, Duke created a buzz around the football program that hadn’t been seen or heard in over a decade. For the second straight year, though, it fizzled in the end.
The Blue Devils were in contention to win the Coastal Division in the second half of the season, and were playing for bowl eligibility until late November. A four-game losing streak ended the season and those hopes, despite the consistent leadership and standout performances from senior quarterback Thaddeus Lewis.
It was even more difficult for Duke to reach the postseason this year because the team scheduled NC Central, which wasn’t even officially at the FCS level yet, and needed to reach the seven-win mark to become bowl eligible. Still, there were measurable signs of improvement in the win column, as it was Duke’s most successful season since 1994. Duke ended a 10-game losing streak against N.C. State with a 49-28 win, the first win over the Wolfpack since 1993. The Blue Devils also beat Maryland for the first time since 1999, and beat Virginia in Charlottesville for the first time since 1999.
It was the most wins since 1994, and the first time the program had won three conference games since that year. Duke’s nine victories in 22 games under Cutcliffe were one shy of the 10 wins the Blue Devils posted in the previous 93 games.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis. He ended his outstanding career with 48 school records including total offensive yards (9,987), passing yards (10,065), pass completions (877), pass attempts (1,510), touchdown passes (67), 300-yard passing games (11) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (1.68:1). In 2009, he completed 274-of-449 (.610) pass attempts for 3,330 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Defensive MVP: Linebacker Vincent Rey. He led the Blue Devils and ranks fourth in the ACC in tackles with 98. He finished with 8.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, two pass interceptions, three pass breakups, one quarterback pressure and one fumble return for a touchdown. He holds school records for fumble returns for touchdowns in both a single-season (two in 2008) and career (three).
Turning point: With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and trailing at Virginia, 17-12, Duke faced a third-and-9 from the UVA 42-yard line. Lewis completed a touchdown pass to Conner Vernon to give Duke the lead for good en route to a 28-17 win. The fourth-quarter comeback gave the Blue Devils their third consecutive ACC victory gave meaning to the month of November for the first time in 15 seasons.
What’s next: The Blue Devils need to continue to recruit more talent and speed, while transitioning to life without Lewis.
The Blue Devils were in contention to win the Coastal Division in the second half of the season, and were playing for bowl eligibility until late November. A four-game losing streak ended the season and those hopes, despite the consistent leadership and standout performances from senior quarterback Thaddeus Lewis.
It was even more difficult for Duke to reach the postseason this year because the team scheduled NC Central, which wasn’t even officially at the FCS level yet, and needed to reach the seven-win mark to become bowl eligible. Still, there were measurable signs of improvement in the win column, as it was Duke’s most successful season since 1994. Duke ended a 10-game losing streak against N.C. State with a 49-28 win, the first win over the Wolfpack since 1993. The Blue Devils also beat Maryland for the first time since 1999, and beat Virginia in Charlottesville for the first time since 1999.
It was the most wins since 1994, and the first time the program had won three conference games since that year. Duke’s nine victories in 22 games under Cutcliffe were one shy of the 10 wins the Blue Devils posted in the previous 93 games.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis. He ended his outstanding career with 48 school records including total offensive yards (9,987), passing yards (10,065), pass completions (877), pass attempts (1,510), touchdown passes (67), 300-yard passing games (11) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (1.68:1). In 2009, he completed 274-of-449 (.610) pass attempts for 3,330 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Defensive MVP: Linebacker Vincent Rey. He led the Blue Devils and ranks fourth in the ACC in tackles with 98. He finished with 8.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, two pass interceptions, three pass breakups, one quarterback pressure and one fumble return for a touchdown. He holds school records for fumble returns for touchdowns in both a single-season (two in 2008) and career (three).
Turning point: With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and trailing at Virginia, 17-12, Duke faced a third-and-9 from the UVA 42-yard line. Lewis completed a touchdown pass to Conner Vernon to give Duke the lead for good en route to a 28-17 win. The fourth-quarter comeback gave the Blue Devils their third consecutive ACC victory gave meaning to the month of November for the first time in 15 seasons.
What’s next: The Blue Devils need to continue to recruit more talent and speed, while transitioning to life without Lewis.
It’s hard to believe this team was picked by the media to win the Atlantic Division, as it unraveled early and eventually ended with the administration forcing legendary coach Bobby Bowden to retire. FSU’s 2-4 record to start the season tied the worst mark ever by a Bowden-led team since he took over the program in 1976, but the Noles were able to regroup and will send Bowden off into retirement with an appearance in the Gator Bowl.
Had Jarmon Fortson’s play in the end zone on the very last play of the season opener against Miami been ruled a catch, who knows what different turn this season might have taken for the Noles? They would have been 3-0 with a huge upset of No. 7 BYU heading into their home game against South Florida. Instead, the Noles went on a three-game losing streak heading into their Thursday night date with North Carolina, and a closed-door meeting of high-ranking university officials in October signaled a desire for change.
But Florida State’s impressive comeback win against North Carolina helped keep the postseason possibility alive. Despite one of the country’s worst defenses, the announced retirement of defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, and the season-ending injury to standout quarterback Christian Ponder, Florida State was able to beat Wake Forest on Nov. 14 to inch within one win of bowl eligibility with two games remaining. An ugly home win over Maryland sealed the deal, but the season ended on a sour note with an embarrassing 37-10 drubbing by rival Florida in the Swamp, and the announcement of Bowden’s resignation two days later.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Christian Ponder: Despite missing the final three games with a shoulder injury, Ponder still leads the ACC in passing average per game, and is fourth in passing efficiency. He completed a league-best 68.8 percent of his passes for 2,717 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is No. 18 in the country in passing efficiency and No. 3 in total offense.
Defensive MVP: Free safety Jamie Robinson: He was the most consistently good player on a defense that struggled consistently, and he put up career-best numbers. Robinson was the team’s third leading tackler with 74, had one sack, three interceptions, and eight passes defended. He also had one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Turning point: The 41-28 win at Wake Forest snapped a three-game losing streak to the Deacs, and it showed a group effort that supported the first career start of backup quarterback E.J. Manuel. The win was key in extending the Seminoles’ season.
What’s next: Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has already begun to make his staff changes, and Bowden said he will clean out his office soon. It’s Fisher’s team now, and his many tasks include recruiting, reuniting the fan base, and beat Florida. First, though, FSU will try to bid Bowden farewell with a win over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl.
Had Jarmon Fortson’s play in the end zone on the very last play of the season opener against Miami been ruled a catch, who knows what different turn this season might have taken for the Noles? They would have been 3-0 with a huge upset of No. 7 BYU heading into their home game against South Florida. Instead, the Noles went on a three-game losing streak heading into their Thursday night date with North Carolina, and a closed-door meeting of high-ranking university officials in October signaled a desire for change.
But Florida State’s impressive comeback win against North Carolina helped keep the postseason possibility alive. Despite one of the country’s worst defenses, the announced retirement of defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, and the season-ending injury to standout quarterback Christian Ponder, Florida State was able to beat Wake Forest on Nov. 14 to inch within one win of bowl eligibility with two games remaining. An ugly home win over Maryland sealed the deal, but the season ended on a sour note with an embarrassing 37-10 drubbing by rival Florida in the Swamp, and the announcement of Bowden’s resignation two days later.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Christian Ponder: Despite missing the final three games with a shoulder injury, Ponder still leads the ACC in passing average per game, and is fourth in passing efficiency. He completed a league-best 68.8 percent of his passes for 2,717 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is No. 18 in the country in passing efficiency and No. 3 in total offense.
Defensive MVP: Free safety Jamie Robinson: He was the most consistently good player on a defense that struggled consistently, and he put up career-best numbers. Robinson was the team’s third leading tackler with 74, had one sack, three interceptions, and eight passes defended. He also had one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Turning point: The 41-28 win at Wake Forest snapped a three-game losing streak to the Deacs, and it showed a group effort that supported the first career start of backup quarterback E.J. Manuel. The win was key in extending the Seminoles’ season.
What’s next: Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has already begun to make his staff changes, and Bowden said he will clean out his office soon. It’s Fisher’s team now, and his many tasks include recruiting, reuniting the fan base, and beat Florida. First, though, FSU will try to bid Bowden farewell with a win over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl.
It only took two seasons for coach Paul Johnson to do what nobody else has done since 1966 -- reach a BCS bowl. In a conference where inconsistency is the dominant trait, Georgia Tech was the most unflappable team from start to finish.
Georgia Tech, which boasted the nation’s No. 2 rushing offense, navigated its way through a tiring, five-game stretch in October that included four road games without a single blemish. There were two bookend bumps along the way -- a Sept. 17 loss to Miami and a disappointing 30-24 home loss to rival Georgia on Nov. 28. In the end, though, neither diminished the significance of the rapid success under Johnson, the ACC’s Coach of the Year.
This Georgia Tech team was able to accomplish what many others before it weren’t. Tech’s 34-9 win at Virginia on Oct. 24 marked the program’s first win in Charlottesville since 1990, breaking a string of eight straight losses in Scott Stadium. And the 28-23 win over Virginia Tech was its first win at home against a team ranked in the top five since 1962. The memorable shootout in Tallahassee against Florida State snapped an 0-6 streak to the Seminoles for the program’s first win at FSU. The Jackets also won five road games in a season for the first time since 1998.
It was the 49-10 win over Duke, though, that gave the program its first Coastal Division crown since 2006. This time, the Jackets seized the opportunity and won the program’s first outright conference title since 1990.
Offensive MVP: Jonathan Dwyer. He ranks third in the ACC and 24th nationally in rushing yards per game (103.5). He has rushed for 100 yards in a game seven times this season, including five of the past six. He is just the third player in Tech history to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
Defensive MVP: Defensive end Derrick Morgan. He finished with 12.5 sacks, which ranks first in the ACC and second nationally. He has 17 tackles for loss, which ranks first in the ACC and tied for the seventh nationally. He recorded three sacks in a game twice this season -- Wake Forest (Nov. 7) and Clemson (Sept. 10). Over the past six games, Morgan has 10 tackles for loss and 7 sacks.
Turning point: Paul Johnson’s fourth-down call in overtime against Wake Forest. It was the kind of gutsy call that will be remembered for a long time, though to Johnson, it was an easy decision. But had the Jackets lost at home to the struggling Deacs, they might not be where they are now. After failing to convert on fourth down four times during regulation, the Jackets got the first down when they needed it most. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt ended the series with a 3-yard touchdown run that pushed the Yellow Jackets one win away from the ACC championship game with a 30-27 victory over Wake Forest.
What’s next: No. 9 Georgia Tech will face a stingy Iowa defense in the Orange Bowl, but has a chance to end the season as the fourth team in ACC history to finish with 12 wins.
Georgia Tech, which boasted the nation’s No. 2 rushing offense, navigated its way through a tiring, five-game stretch in October that included four road games without a single blemish. There were two bookend bumps along the way -- a Sept. 17 loss to Miami and a disappointing 30-24 home loss to rival Georgia on Nov. 28. In the end, though, neither diminished the significance of the rapid success under Johnson, the ACC’s Coach of the Year.
This Georgia Tech team was able to accomplish what many others before it weren’t. Tech’s 34-9 win at Virginia on Oct. 24 marked the program’s first win in Charlottesville since 1990, breaking a string of eight straight losses in Scott Stadium. And the 28-23 win over Virginia Tech was its first win at home against a team ranked in the top five since 1962. The memorable shootout in Tallahassee against Florida State snapped an 0-6 streak to the Seminoles for the program’s first win at FSU. The Jackets also won five road games in a season for the first time since 1998.
It was the 49-10 win over Duke, though, that gave the program its first Coastal Division crown since 2006. This time, the Jackets seized the opportunity and won the program’s first outright conference title since 1990.
Offensive MVP: Jonathan Dwyer. He ranks third in the ACC and 24th nationally in rushing yards per game (103.5). He has rushed for 100 yards in a game seven times this season, including five of the past six. He is just the third player in Tech history to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
Defensive MVP: Defensive end Derrick Morgan. He finished with 12.5 sacks, which ranks first in the ACC and second nationally. He has 17 tackles for loss, which ranks first in the ACC and tied for the seventh nationally. He recorded three sacks in a game twice this season -- Wake Forest (Nov. 7) and Clemson (Sept. 10). Over the past six games, Morgan has 10 tackles for loss and 7 sacks.
Turning point: Paul Johnson’s fourth-down call in overtime against Wake Forest. It was the kind of gutsy call that will be remembered for a long time, though to Johnson, it was an easy decision. But had the Jackets lost at home to the struggling Deacs, they might not be where they are now. After failing to convert on fourth down four times during regulation, the Jackets got the first down when they needed it most. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt ended the series with a 3-yard touchdown run that pushed the Yellow Jackets one win away from the ACC championship game with a 30-27 victory over Wake Forest.
What’s next: No. 9 Georgia Tech will face a stingy Iowa defense in the Orange Bowl, but has a chance to end the season as the fourth team in ACC history to finish with 12 wins.
Hints of a disappointing season were revealed early when the Terps needed overtime to beat James Madison and lost for the second straight year to Middle Tennessee -- this time at home. After a still inexplicable 24-21 win over ACC-runner up Clemson, Maryland finished the season with seven straight losses and coach Ralph Friedgen’s future was in limbo.
As the losses increased, attendance decreased. According to the Washington Times, Maryland's average home crowd was 44,452, the lowest since Friedgen's first season, and Maryland's ticket revenue fell $600,000. Maryland’s 2-10 finish was the worst in Friedgen’s tenure, and he has gone 35-38 in the past six seasons. Still, athletic director Debbie Yow decided to retain Friedgen for both financial reasons and because she said she thinks he is capable of filling the seats again and a winning season in 2010.
Maryland's struggles on the offensive the line were the heart of its problems this year, as the Terps ranked 110th in the country in sacks allowed, with three per game. Quarterback Chris Turner was eventually sidelined with an injury, and Maryland finished with the nation's 105th rushing offense. The Terps finished 103rd in the nation in total offense, and 99th in scoring offense. It didn't help that leading rusher Da'Rel Scott missed most of the season with a wrist injury.
Offensive MVP: Torrey Smith. He led the Terps in receptions (61), receiving yards (824) and touchdowns (5). He also broke his own ACC single-season kickoff return yards mark (1,309) and smashed the Maryland single-season all-purpose yards record (2,192). Smith is already fifth in school history in career all-purpose yards (3,617).
Defensive MVP: Alex Wujciak. Wujciak is currently second in the ACC and eighth nationally in tackles (10.9 per game). He racked up 131 tackles to become the first Maryland defender to post more than 125 stops (133 in 2008) in back-to-back years since E.J. Henderson in ’01 and ‘02. He also made double-digit tackles in 17 of his last 22 games and set the Maryland single-season interception return yards record (152) this year.
Turning point: The injury to Nolan Carroll in the second game against James Madison had a lasting impact on a defense in transition under first-year coordinator Don Brown. Not that Carroll was going to change 2-10 to 10-2, but he was by far the Terps' best cover corner, which is key in Brown’s attacking system. Instead of playing mostly press man, Maryland ended up playing a lot of zone.
What’s next: Friedgen still hasn’t announced any staff changes, but after a two-win season, some changes need to be made. The top priority right now should be in recruiting, where the Terps have fallen short, particularly on both the offensive and defensive lines. They also need to rebuild the depth at quarterback.
As the losses increased, attendance decreased. According to the Washington Times, Maryland's average home crowd was 44,452, the lowest since Friedgen's first season, and Maryland's ticket revenue fell $600,000. Maryland’s 2-10 finish was the worst in Friedgen’s tenure, and he has gone 35-38 in the past six seasons. Still, athletic director Debbie Yow decided to retain Friedgen for both financial reasons and because she said she thinks he is capable of filling the seats again and a winning season in 2010.
Maryland's struggles on the offensive the line were the heart of its problems this year, as the Terps ranked 110th in the country in sacks allowed, with three per game. Quarterback Chris Turner was eventually sidelined with an injury, and Maryland finished with the nation's 105th rushing offense. The Terps finished 103rd in the nation in total offense, and 99th in scoring offense. It didn't help that leading rusher Da'Rel Scott missed most of the season with a wrist injury.
Offensive MVP: Torrey Smith. He led the Terps in receptions (61), receiving yards (824) and touchdowns (5). He also broke his own ACC single-season kickoff return yards mark (1,309) and smashed the Maryland single-season all-purpose yards record (2,192). Smith is already fifth in school history in career all-purpose yards (3,617).
Defensive MVP: Alex Wujciak. Wujciak is currently second in the ACC and eighth nationally in tackles (10.9 per game). He racked up 131 tackles to become the first Maryland defender to post more than 125 stops (133 in 2008) in back-to-back years since E.J. Henderson in ’01 and ‘02. He also made double-digit tackles in 17 of his last 22 games and set the Maryland single-season interception return yards record (152) this year.
Turning point: The injury to Nolan Carroll in the second game against James Madison had a lasting impact on a defense in transition under first-year coordinator Don Brown. Not that Carroll was going to change 2-10 to 10-2, but he was by far the Terps' best cover corner, which is key in Brown’s attacking system. Instead of playing mostly press man, Maryland ended up playing a lot of zone.
What’s next: Friedgen still hasn’t announced any staff changes, but after a two-win season, some changes need to be made. The top priority right now should be in recruiting, where the Terps have fallen short, particularly on both the offensive and defensive lines. They also need to rebuild the depth at quarterback.
Miami went into the 2009 season with two new coordinators and facing one of the most difficult opening four-game stretches in the country -- a road trip to Florida State followed by Coastal Division opponents Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and national title runner-up Oklahoma.
The Canes went 3-1 during that stretch, their only loss coming to the Hokies in Blacksburg, and seemed poised for big postseason possibilities. It was a remarkable start to the season, considering some thought the Canes might start 0-4, but quarterback Jacory Harris looked like a Heisman contender, and the defense showed up against Georgia Tech’s tricky spread option.
It wasn’t the nonconference opponents, though, that dropped Miami from great to good. It was an overtime loss to Clemson and an unexpected upset by North Carolina that knocked the Canes out of realistic contention for a BCS bowl. Harris struggled in the second half of the season and finished with a league-high 17 interceptions.
While it wasn’t the extraordinary season some Miami fans had been hoping for, it was still an improvement in coach Randy Shannon’s third season. Miami earned its first nine-win regular season since 2005, and Shannon has improved the program’s record by two wins in each in of the past three seasons. An accomplishment that has gone relatively unnoticed was the fact that the Canes went 4-0 during regular-season nonconference play for the first time since 2005. It was also another quiet season in regards to off-field issues, which had plagued the program in the past.
Offensive MVP: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson: He was the Canes' most consistent player on offense, as he made at least one catch in all 12 games, and he finished with a team-high 44 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. He made a catch of 20 yards or more in 10 of 11 games, and finished with the most receiving yards since Andre Johnson in 2002.
Defensive MVP: Cornerback Brandon Harris: He led the ACC in passes broken up (14) and passes defended (16). He tied for fifth nationally in passes defended per game (1.33). He is third on the team with 52 total tackles (37 solo, 15 assists), forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes.
Turning point: Miami’s loss to North Carolina. Harris threw a career-high four interceptions and the No. 14 Canes lost, 33-24, and were on the outside looking in at BCS hopeful teams.
What’s next: The Champs Sports Bowl matchup against Wisconsin gives Miami a chance to earn its first 10-win season since 2003.
The Canes went 3-1 during that stretch, their only loss coming to the Hokies in Blacksburg, and seemed poised for big postseason possibilities. It was a remarkable start to the season, considering some thought the Canes might start 0-4, but quarterback Jacory Harris looked like a Heisman contender, and the defense showed up against Georgia Tech’s tricky spread option.
It wasn’t the nonconference opponents, though, that dropped Miami from great to good. It was an overtime loss to Clemson and an unexpected upset by North Carolina that knocked the Canes out of realistic contention for a BCS bowl. Harris struggled in the second half of the season and finished with a league-high 17 interceptions.
While it wasn’t the extraordinary season some Miami fans had been hoping for, it was still an improvement in coach Randy Shannon’s third season. Miami earned its first nine-win regular season since 2005, and Shannon has improved the program’s record by two wins in each in of the past three seasons. An accomplishment that has gone relatively unnoticed was the fact that the Canes went 4-0 during regular-season nonconference play for the first time since 2005. It was also another quiet season in regards to off-field issues, which had plagued the program in the past.
Offensive MVP: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson: He was the Canes' most consistent player on offense, as he made at least one catch in all 12 games, and he finished with a team-high 44 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. He made a catch of 20 yards or more in 10 of 11 games, and finished with the most receiving yards since Andre Johnson in 2002.
Defensive MVP: Cornerback Brandon Harris: He led the ACC in passes broken up (14) and passes defended (16). He tied for fifth nationally in passes defended per game (1.33). He is third on the team with 52 total tackles (37 solo, 15 assists), forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes.
Turning point: Miami’s loss to North Carolina. Harris threw a career-high four interceptions and the No. 14 Canes lost, 33-24, and were on the outside looking in at BCS hopeful teams.
What’s next: The Champs Sports Bowl matchup against Wisconsin gives Miami a chance to earn its first 10-win season since 2003.
After an 0-3 start in conference play, the outlook seemed grim for UNC. It wasn’t just that North Carolina lost its third straight ACC game to a Florida State team that was in the midst of its own three-game losing streak, it was how the Tar Heels lost. FSU outscored North Carolina 24-3 over the final 22 minutes for a come-from-behind 30-27 win in a nationally televised Thursday night game. Following that loss, UNC’s standout defense was questioned, and a bowl appearance seemed unlikely.
Not so.
UNC pulled off a shocking 20-17 upset at No. 13 Virginia Tech the following week to start a four-game winning streak that included an upset of No. 14 Miami, and played their way back into the bowl picture. It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that had struggled mightily on offense and been dealt numerous injuries to key offensive players, including on the offensive line, their top tight end and leading rusher. The bulk of North Carolina’s success can be attributed to its defense, which finished No. 9 in the country in rushing defense, No. 6 in total defense, and No. 13 in both scoring defense and pass efficiency defense.
The one thing UNC couldn’t do was beat rival NC State in the season finale, and it was the third straight year coach Butch Davis lost to Tom O’Brien.
Offensive MVP: Ryan Houston. He led Carolina with 630 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. After teammate Shaun Draughn went down with a shoulder injury against Duke, Houston became the Tar Heels' featured back. He responded against Duke with a career-high 164 yards rushing on 37 carries. He also had nine receptions for 74 yards this season.
Defensive MVP: Robert Quinn. He finished the regular season with 49 tackles, including a league-best 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Quinn ranked first in the ACC and ninth in the country in tackles for loss and second in the league and 10th in the country in sacks. In addition, he was second in the conference and third in the country with six forced fumbles.
Turning point: Winning at Virginia Tech. Nobody saw that coming -- especially the Hokies on their home field at Lane Stadium. UNC, winless in conference play, marched into Blacksburg and earned a dramatic, fourth-quarter 20-17 win with the help of a forced fumble and a game-winning field goal. The Tar Heels got their first win against Virginia Tech since the Hokies joined the ACC in 2004 and ended a five-game skid in the series. It also changed their season and started a four-game winning streak.
What’s next: UNC’s defense will face another challenge in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against Pitt, as Dion Lewis ranks third in the nation in rushing. UNC lost to West Virginia in this bowl last year and has a chance to even the score against the Big East.
Not so.
UNC pulled off a shocking 20-17 upset at No. 13 Virginia Tech the following week to start a four-game winning streak that included an upset of No. 14 Miami, and played their way back into the bowl picture. It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that had struggled mightily on offense and been dealt numerous injuries to key offensive players, including on the offensive line, their top tight end and leading rusher. The bulk of North Carolina’s success can be attributed to its defense, which finished No. 9 in the country in rushing defense, No. 6 in total defense, and No. 13 in both scoring defense and pass efficiency defense.
The one thing UNC couldn’t do was beat rival NC State in the season finale, and it was the third straight year coach Butch Davis lost to Tom O’Brien.
Offensive MVP: Ryan Houston. He led Carolina with 630 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. After teammate Shaun Draughn went down with a shoulder injury against Duke, Houston became the Tar Heels' featured back. He responded against Duke with a career-high 164 yards rushing on 37 carries. He also had nine receptions for 74 yards this season.
Defensive MVP: Robert Quinn. He finished the regular season with 49 tackles, including a league-best 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Quinn ranked first in the ACC and ninth in the country in tackles for loss and second in the league and 10th in the country in sacks. In addition, he was second in the conference and third in the country with six forced fumbles.
Turning point: Winning at Virginia Tech. Nobody saw that coming -- especially the Hokies on their home field at Lane Stadium. UNC, winless in conference play, marched into Blacksburg and earned a dramatic, fourth-quarter 20-17 win with the help of a forced fumble and a game-winning field goal. The Tar Heels got their first win against Virginia Tech since the Hokies joined the ACC in 2004 and ended a five-game skid in the series. It also changed their season and started a four-game winning streak.
What’s next: UNC’s defense will face another challenge in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against Pitt, as Dion Lewis ranks third in the nation in rushing. UNC lost to West Virginia in this bowl last year and has a chance to even the score against the Big East.
Coach Tom O’Brien said he had never experienced a more difficult season. It started with star linebacker Nate Irving’s scary car crash this past summer, which sidelined him for the entire season, and ended with the news that offensive coordinator Dana Bible had been diagnosed with leukemia prior to the Virginia Tech game.
A total of 12 players were lost to season-ending injuries, and the Pack (2-6, 5-7 ACC) suffered a 1-6 stretch that eliminated them from postseason play for the second time in O’Brien’s three seasons. The root of the problems were with the defense, where NC State ranked 99th in the country in scoring defense, allowing 31.17 points per game. The Pack were 106th in pass efficiency defense, and injuries forced the staff to use a different starting lineup in the secondary for at least three quarters of the season.
The two positive headlines for NC State this year came when tailback Toney Baker was granted a sixth year of eligibility, and when the season ended on a triumphant note with a win over rival North Carolina. NC State also earned a marquee nonconference win against Pittsburgh, which wound up playing for the Big East title.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Russell Wilson – He completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 3,027 yards and 31 touchdowns. He threw just 11 interceptions.
Defensive MVP: Alan Michael Cash – He blocked one kick, forced a fumble and finished with 55 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and two sacks.
Turning point: In late June, Irving -- arguably the team’s top defensive player -- suffered a broken leg and a collapsed lung in a one-car crash. It was an emotional incident and a loss that set the tone for the entire defense, which struggled all season without their top player and leader.
What’s next: The coaching staff needs to continue to recruit and build depth so it's not in this position again, with virtually no upperclassmen to depend upon and too many young, inexperienced players forced into important roles. The staff also needs to find out whether Wilson plans on focusing on football or baseball, and whether Baker will enter the NFL draft.
A total of 12 players were lost to season-ending injuries, and the Pack (2-6, 5-7 ACC) suffered a 1-6 stretch that eliminated them from postseason play for the second time in O’Brien’s three seasons. The root of the problems were with the defense, where NC State ranked 99th in the country in scoring defense, allowing 31.17 points per game. The Pack were 106th in pass efficiency defense, and injuries forced the staff to use a different starting lineup in the secondary for at least three quarters of the season.
The two positive headlines for NC State this year came when tailback Toney Baker was granted a sixth year of eligibility, and when the season ended on a triumphant note with a win over rival North Carolina. NC State also earned a marquee nonconference win against Pittsburgh, which wound up playing for the Big East title.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Russell Wilson – He completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 3,027 yards and 31 touchdowns. He threw just 11 interceptions.
Defensive MVP: Alan Michael Cash – He blocked one kick, forced a fumble and finished with 55 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and two sacks.
Turning point: In late June, Irving -- arguably the team’s top defensive player -- suffered a broken leg and a collapsed lung in a one-car crash. It was an emotional incident and a loss that set the tone for the entire defense, which struggled all season without their top player and leader.
What’s next: The coaching staff needs to continue to recruit and build depth so it's not in this position again, with virtually no upperclassmen to depend upon and too many young, inexperienced players forced into important roles. The staff also needs to find out whether Wilson plans on focusing on football or baseball, and whether Baker will enter the NFL draft.
As if it couldn’t get any worse than losing to William & Mary in the season opener, Virginia suffered further embarrassment in Game 2 when mascot Cavman fell off his horse.
Talk about an omen of things to come.
It was another trying season in Charlottesville, but one that was too difficult to ignore. Virginia (3-9, 2-6 ACC) ended the season with six straight losses, a finish which cost Al Groh and all but two of his assistants their jobs. In typical Groh fashion, though, there was a point during the season when it seemed as if Virginia might rally, just as it had done so many times before. After opening the season with three straight losses, Virginia used its bye week to regroup and reeled off three straight wins to suddenly jump back into the Coastal Division race. It turned out to be a fleeting moment, and the Cavaliers were exposed once they faced better competition.
Much of this year’s struggles could be attributed to the sweeping offseason staff changes, in which offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon was hired to implement the spread offense. The change didn’t work, as Virginia didn’t have the personnel to execute it.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Jameel Sewell – He rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown against rival Virginia Tech, and finished the season with 1,848 passing yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He completed 53.8 percent of his passes. He had his 10th 200-yard passing game against BC.
Defensive MVP: Nate Collins – He finished second on the team with 77 tackles, but led the defense with 10.5 tackles for loss, had six sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Turning point: After evening their record at 3-3 following an 0-3 start, the Cavaliers surrendered an 18-play, 82-yard, 10:47 third-quarter scoring drive by Georgia Tech to allow the Yellow Jackets to pull ahead 20-6 in what had been a close game. Georgia Tech won 34-9 and UVA did not win again the remainder of the season.
What’s next: Former Richmond coach and UVA defensive coordinator Mike London has officially taken over and faces the difficult challenge of regrouping the fan base, filling the seats, recruiting and beating Virginia Tech. No pressure.
Talk about an omen of things to come.
It was another trying season in Charlottesville, but one that was too difficult to ignore. Virginia (3-9, 2-6 ACC) ended the season with six straight losses, a finish which cost Al Groh and all but two of his assistants their jobs. In typical Groh fashion, though, there was a point during the season when it seemed as if Virginia might rally, just as it had done so many times before. After opening the season with three straight losses, Virginia used its bye week to regroup and reeled off three straight wins to suddenly jump back into the Coastal Division race. It turned out to be a fleeting moment, and the Cavaliers were exposed once they faced better competition.
Much of this year’s struggles could be attributed to the sweeping offseason staff changes, in which offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon was hired to implement the spread offense. The change didn’t work, as Virginia didn’t have the personnel to execute it.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Jameel Sewell – He rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown against rival Virginia Tech, and finished the season with 1,848 passing yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He completed 53.8 percent of his passes. He had his 10th 200-yard passing game against BC.
Defensive MVP: Nate Collins – He finished second on the team with 77 tackles, but led the defense with 10.5 tackles for loss, had six sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Turning point: After evening their record at 3-3 following an 0-3 start, the Cavaliers surrendered an 18-play, 82-yard, 10:47 third-quarter scoring drive by Georgia Tech to allow the Yellow Jackets to pull ahead 20-6 in what had been a close game. Georgia Tech won 34-9 and UVA did not win again the remainder of the season.
What’s next: Former Richmond coach and UVA defensive coordinator Mike London has officially taken over and faces the difficult challenge of regrouping the fan base, filling the seats, recruiting and beating Virginia Tech. No pressure.
The season began with a No. 7 preseason ranking and high hopes for a national title, but those aspirations took an immediate dive with the news that leading rusher Darren Evans would be lost for the season before it even started because of a torn ACL. Redshirt freshman Ryan Williams was the next man up, and he exceeded almost everyone’s expectations, rushing for at least 100 yards in nine different games.
Virginia Tech represented the ACC well against its nonconference opponents with wins over Nebraska and ECU, two teams that eventually played for their conference titles, and looked good in a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the season opener. The Hokies were the only team in the ACC that didn’t schedule an FCS opponent, but it wasn’t the nonconference teams that ruined their shot at the national title.
The Hokies climbed as high as No. 4 in the polls before back-to-back losses to Coastal Division opponents Georgia Tech and North Carolina knocked them out of championship contention. It was the loss to North Carolina, though, that might go on to be remembered as the most shocking of the season, as the Hokies were at home, in the hunt for the national title and UNC was winless in the conference. Virginia Tech was held to just 95 yards rushing, and the Hokies struggled on third down and made two costly turnovers, including a fourth-quarter fumble by Williams.
Virginia Tech rebounded, though, and finished the season on a four-game winning streak to earn an invitation to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Offensive MVP: Ryan Williams -- His current total of 1,538 yards is the fourth highest in ACC history. His average of 128.16 per game stands fifth. His current total is the eighth highest by a freshman in NCAA history and he set the record for total touchdowns by an ACC freshman (20).
Defensive MVP: Linebacker Cody Grimm -- The former walk-on had 99 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks while anchoring the Hokies' defense.
Turning point: The 16-3 win over East Carolina proved that Virginia Tech hadn’t given up on its season despite back-to-back losses. It was a road game that could have been a trap just like it was in 2008, but the Hokies prevailed, and Williams ran for 179 yard to redeem himself for the fumble against UNC. That confidence infected the entire team.
What’s next: The Hokies need to beat Tennessee in their bowl game to finish with a 10-win season and build confidence and momentum heading into their offseason workouts and conditioning. They also need to figure out just how they’re going to divvy the carries when Evans returns.
Virginia Tech represented the ACC well against its nonconference opponents with wins over Nebraska and ECU, two teams that eventually played for their conference titles, and looked good in a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the season opener. The Hokies were the only team in the ACC that didn’t schedule an FCS opponent, but it wasn’t the nonconference teams that ruined their shot at the national title.
The Hokies climbed as high as No. 4 in the polls before back-to-back losses to Coastal Division opponents Georgia Tech and North Carolina knocked them out of championship contention. It was the loss to North Carolina, though, that might go on to be remembered as the most shocking of the season, as the Hokies were at home, in the hunt for the national title and UNC was winless in the conference. Virginia Tech was held to just 95 yards rushing, and the Hokies struggled on third down and made two costly turnovers, including a fourth-quarter fumble by Williams.
Virginia Tech rebounded, though, and finished the season on a four-game winning streak to earn an invitation to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Offensive MVP: Ryan Williams -- His current total of 1,538 yards is the fourth highest in ACC history. His average of 128.16 per game stands fifth. His current total is the eighth highest by a freshman in NCAA history and he set the record for total touchdowns by an ACC freshman (20).
Defensive MVP: Linebacker Cody Grimm -- The former walk-on had 99 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks while anchoring the Hokies' defense.
Turning point: The 16-3 win over East Carolina proved that Virginia Tech hadn’t given up on its season despite back-to-back losses. It was a road game that could have been a trap just like it was in 2008, but the Hokies prevailed, and Williams ran for 179 yard to redeem himself for the fumble against UNC. That confidence infected the entire team.
What’s next: The Hokies need to beat Tennessee in their bowl game to finish with a 10-win season and build confidence and momentum heading into their offseason workouts and conditioning. They also need to figure out just how they’re going to divvy the carries when Evans returns.
This was not the kind of season Wake Forest fans had grown accustomed to under coach Jim Grobe. Heading into the 2009 season, Grobe had directed the Demon Deacons to three straight bowl games for the first time in school history, and had three straight finishes with at least eight wins for the first time.
Those streaks were snapped this year, as Wake Forest (5-7, 3-5 ACC) lost five of its final six games. It was a particularly painful season, as five of those losses were by three points or fewer. It wasn’t until the season finale at Duke that Wake Forest won a road game this year. The best win came Sept. 12 against Stanford.
Wake Forest had a chance to beat Florida State for the fourth year in a row, as the Noles came to town with rookie E.J. Manuel making his first career start in place of injured starter Christian Ponder, but the Deacs’ defense caved, quarterback Riley Skinner struggled and Wake lost, 41-28.
Much of this year’s struggles had to do with the rebuilding effort on defense, where coordinator Brad Lambert had to replace seven starters. The most noticeable difference was in the turnover category, where the Deacs led the nation with 37 takeaways in 2008. This year they had 15. They also dropped from the No. 1 punt return unit in the nation to No. 56. Skinner had another record-setting season, but he was inconsistent at times and finished with 12 interceptions, compared to seven last year.
Still, this senior class finished as the winningest class in school history with a record of 33-19.
Offensive MVP: QB Riley Skinner – He threw for a school-record 3,160 yards and 26 touchdowns. With two rushing touchdowns, Skinner accounted for 28 of Wake Forest’s 39 offensive touchdowns this season. He finished his career second in ACC career completions (903) and completion percentage (.669), and fourth in ACC history in passing yards (9,762) and fourth in total offense (9,923).
Defensive MVP: DT John Russell – He was Wake Forest’s most consistent defensive player all season. Russell led all defensive linemen with 46 tackles (fifth on the team overall). He led the team with 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Turning point: On Sept. 26, Wake trailed BC 24-10 midway through the fourth quarter before Skinner rallied the Deacs to tie the game with 11 seconds to play. After holding BC to a field goal in overtime, Wake had the ball first-and-goal at the BC 4. The Deacs missed the handoff and Skinner had the ball knocked out of his hands and a sure win became a heartbreaking loss. It was the second of what would be five losses by three points or fewer during the season.
What’s next: The coaching staff needs to work hard to recruit more talent like the defenders who departed to the NFL in 2008, and maintain the commitments from the players who said they’d play for Grobe before they knew it would be a bowl-less season. A quarterback will also have to be developed to replace Skinner.
Those streaks were snapped this year, as Wake Forest (5-7, 3-5 ACC) lost five of its final six games. It was a particularly painful season, as five of those losses were by three points or fewer. It wasn’t until the season finale at Duke that Wake Forest won a road game this year. The best win came Sept. 12 against Stanford.
Wake Forest had a chance to beat Florida State for the fourth year in a row, as the Noles came to town with rookie E.J. Manuel making his first career start in place of injured starter Christian Ponder, but the Deacs’ defense caved, quarterback Riley Skinner struggled and Wake lost, 41-28.
Much of this year’s struggles had to do with the rebuilding effort on defense, where coordinator Brad Lambert had to replace seven starters. The most noticeable difference was in the turnover category, where the Deacs led the nation with 37 takeaways in 2008. This year they had 15. They also dropped from the No. 1 punt return unit in the nation to No. 56. Skinner had another record-setting season, but he was inconsistent at times and finished with 12 interceptions, compared to seven last year.
Still, this senior class finished as the winningest class in school history with a record of 33-19.
Offensive MVP: QB Riley Skinner – He threw for a school-record 3,160 yards and 26 touchdowns. With two rushing touchdowns, Skinner accounted for 28 of Wake Forest’s 39 offensive touchdowns this season. He finished his career second in ACC career completions (903) and completion percentage (.669), and fourth in ACC history in passing yards (9,762) and fourth in total offense (9,923).
Defensive MVP: DT John Russell – He was Wake Forest’s most consistent defensive player all season. Russell led all defensive linemen with 46 tackles (fifth on the team overall). He led the team with 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Turning point: On Sept. 26, Wake trailed BC 24-10 midway through the fourth quarter before Skinner rallied the Deacs to tie the game with 11 seconds to play. After holding BC to a field goal in overtime, Wake had the ball first-and-goal at the BC 4. The Deacs missed the handoff and Skinner had the ball knocked out of his hands and a sure win became a heartbreaking loss. It was the second of what would be five losses by three points or fewer during the season.
What’s next: The coaching staff needs to work hard to recruit more talent like the defenders who departed to the NFL in 2008, and maintain the commitments from the players who said they’d play for Grobe before they knew it would be a bowl-less season. A quarterback will also have to be developed to replace Skinner.
BACK TO TOP
Page: 1
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
ACC SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 12/17
Final Temple 37 Wyoming 15 Final Ohio 24 Utah State 23 Final San Diego State 30 Louisiana-Lafayette 32
Tuesday, 12/20
Wednesday, 12/21
Final 18 TCU 31 Louisiana Tech 24
Thursday, 12/22
Saturday, 12/24
Final Nevada 17 21 Southern Miss 24
Monday, 12/26
Tuesday, 12/27
Final Western Michigan 32 Purdue 37 Final Louisville 24 North Carolina State 31
Wednesday, 12/28
Final Toledo 42 Air Force 41 Final California 10 24 Texas 21
Thursday, 12/29
Final Florida State 18 Notre Dame 14 Final Washington 56 12 Baylor 67
Friday, 12/30
Final Brigham Young 24 Tulsa 21 Final Rutgers 27 Iowa State 13 Final Mississippi State 23 Wake Forest 17 Final Iowa 14 14 Oklahoma 31
Saturday, 12/31
Final Texas A&M 33 Northwestern 22 Final/OT Georgia Tech 27 Utah 30 Final Illinois 20 UCLA 14 Final Cincinnati 31 Vanderbilt 24 Final Virginia 24 25 Auburn 43
Monday, 1/2
Final 19 Houston 30 22 Penn State 14 Final Ohio State 17 Florida 24 Final/3OT 17 Michigan State 33 16 Georgia 30 Final 20 Nebraska 13 9 South Carolina 30 Final 10 Wisconsin 38 5 Oregon 45 Final/OT 4 Stanford 38 3 Oklahoma State 41
Tuesday, 1/3
Final/OT 13 Michigan 23 11 Virginia Tech 20
Wednesday, 1/4
Final 23 West Virginia 70 15 Clemson 33
Friday, 1/6
Final 8 Kansas State 16 6 Arkansas 29
