ESPN College Football

It was a busy weekend in the ACC. Here's a look back at the highlights from the scrimmages, according to the sports information departments of the teams that provided reports:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Coach Frank Spaziani told reporters after the 70-minute scrimmage that there were some good things, but "it's like a jigsaw puzzle with all the pieces in the box; they're not connected yet."

Offensive highlights:

• Quarterback Chase Rettig completed 12 of 19 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. “I think Chase showed the progress he's been making,” Spaziani said. “The obvious things were fine; there were some subtle things he needs to work on.”
• Rettig connected on passes of 10 yards six times, including a 30-yard pass to Colin Larmond, Jr., a 24-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field to receiver Bobby Swigert and a 3-yard touchdown pass to senior captain Ifeanyi Momah.
• Larmond (3 receptions for 53 yards), Swigert (3-for-33), junior receiver Donte Elliott (3-for-37) and redshirt freshman tight end Jarrett Darmstatter (3-for-16) led a total of 12 receivers that registered at least one reception each.
• Rettig and fellow quarterbacks Mike Marscovetra and Dave Shinskie combined for four touchdowns as Marscovetra went 6-for-9 for 30 yards and a touchdown pass of five yards to junior receiver Hampton Hughes and Shinskie connected on 4-of-5 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown to sophomore tight end Mike Naples.
• Tailback Rolandan Finch carried the ball 10 times for a total of 30 yards to lead all running backs while sophomore Andre Williams broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run during red zone drills. Williams finished with five attempts for 21 yards and redshirt freshman Tahj Kimble accounted for 20 yards on five carries.

Defensive highlights:

• Linebacker Nick Clancy and defensive back Sean Sylvia led the team with four tackles each.
• Sophomore linebacker Jake Sinkovec had one interception and one fumble recovery.

CLEMSON

Quarterback Tajh Boyd had an impressive performance, as he completed 10 of 12 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown to highlight the new offense in Clemson’s 75-play scrimmage in Memorial Stadium on Saturday morning.

Offensive highlights:

• Boyd completed each of his final eight passes to six different receivers. He threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to receiver DeAndre Hopkins, then connected on a 3-yard score to Dwayne Allen in a goal-line situation.
• Allen had three receptions for 66 yards, including a diving catch over the middle for 14 yards and a first down. Brandon Ford had three receptions for 37 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass from Cole Stoudt.
• Stoudt was 4-of-14 passing, but threw for 71 yards and two touchdowns, one to Ford and one to Bryce McNeal (23 yards).
• Rod McDowell was the leading rusher with four carries for 68 yards, including a 39-yarder on his first carry of the day. Andre Ellington had five rushes for 41 yards and added two receptions, while freshman Mike Bellamy had five carries for 40 yards.

Defensive highlights:

• The first-team defense did not allow a scoring drive.
• Martin Jenkins led the team with seven tackles, including a tackle for loss.
• Corico Hawkins had five tackles and a fumble recovery, while freshman defensive end Corey Crawford had five stops, including a sack.

Special teams highlights:

• Clemson’s three kickers, Chandler Catanzaro, Ammon Lakip and Brian Symmes were a combined 16-of-16 on the day in field goal attempts and extra points against a live rush.

Notable:

• Three Tigers missed the scrimmage because they were going through graduation exercises across the street from Memorial Stadium in Littlejohn Coliseum. Starting offensive tackle Landon Walker, starting safety Rashard Hall and reserve defensive end Kourtnei Brown all graduated from Clemson on Saturday. It was especially noteworthy for Hall, who has been at Clemson just three years. He joins Nick Eason (now in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals) as the only scholarship football players to graduate with two years of athletic eligibility remaining.
• Four players missed the scrimmage due to injury. Those players were defensive back Xavier Brewer (sprained foot), defensive back Garry Peters (bruised calf), Andre Branch (head injury), DeShawn Williams (sprained ankle).

GEORGIA TECH

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson had mixed reviews after the Yellow Jackets' first scrimmage, which ran 90 minutes inside Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday morning.

"It was like a lot of first scrimmages, there were way too many balls on the ground and way too many penalties," Johnson said. "But we hit some big plays. When you play against each other there's positives and negatives on both sides. It's a starting place and we'll look at it and try to make some improvements."

Offensive highlights:

• While no official statistics were kept, quarterback Tevin Washington passed for well over 100 yards, including a 63-yarder to senior A-back Roddy Jones. Redshirt freshman quarterback Synjyn Days threw the only touchdown of the day, to true freshman Jeff Greene.
• Greene ran with the first unit Saturday as most of the veterans -- junior Stephen Hill, senior Tyler Melton, sophomore Jeremy Moore and junior Daniel McKayhan -- all sat out with injuries.
• Washington scored the only other touchdown Saturday on a 1-yard QB keeper.

Defensive highlights:

• Defensive end Emmanuel Dieke had a sack, true freshman Jamal Golden intercepted a Vad Lee pass, and Steven Sylvester and Isaiah Johnson both recovered fumbles.

Special teams highlights:

• Sophomore Justin Moore booted a 45-yard field goal on his only attempt.
• David Scully's 52-yard attempt was long enough, but just wide left.

MIAMI

The most important news out of Miami's first scrimmage was that quarterbacks Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris combined for five touchdown passes and only one interception. That sounds like improvement. Miami's quarterbacks combined for 407 passing yards on 38-of-52 passing for six touchdowns and only one interception.

Offensive highlights:

• Receiver Tommy Streeter had the best offensive day for the Canes, catching five passes for 71 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came from Harris.
• Lamar Miller had runs of 16 and 31 yards on the opening drive.

Defensive highlights:

• Senior defensive back JoJo Nicolas led all defenders with eight tackles (six solo), with two tackles for loss.
• Ramon Buchanan and freshman Gionni Paul and each had six total tackles, with Paul also recording a tackle for loss.
• The defense totaled eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage for a total loss of 29 yards

VIRGINIA TECH

The Hokies' offense was the highlight, but what does that mean for the defense? Coach Frank Beamer pointed out that there were some long plays allowed, as the offense racked up 398 yards of total offense in the 78-play scrimmage at Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The touchdowns came against Tech's second- or third-team defense, though, so the jury is still out.

"I thought it was a good first scrimmage -- better than most," Beamer said, according to the team's scrimmage report. "You take into consideration that you're trying to get everyone some work, people who don't know quite what they're doing, and that makes things a little ragged. I thought overall, though, it was a sharp scrimmage. The quarterbacks made some nice plays and Wilson got a couple of long plays against the defense, and we need to see what's going on there. Overall, the effort was good and the play was good."

Offensive highlights:

• Backup quarterback Mark Leal led the quarterbacks with 116 yards passing, completing 6 of 13. He also threw an interception. Beamer said Leal is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Logan Thomas. Ju-Ju Clayton, who has dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart, completed 6 of 10 for 51 yards, while starter Thomas completed 4 of 8 for 79 yards, with an interception, in limited action.
• Tailback David Wilson scored against the Hokies' second-team defense on a 22-yard run. Wilson led all rushers with 57 yards on five carries. Freshman Michael Holmes added 54 yards rushing on a game-high 11 carries.

Defensive highlights:

• Freshman tackle Luther Maddy led the team with eight tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack. Freshman Michael Cole added six tackles, while Telvion Clark and Jack Tyler each finished with four.
• Barquell Rivers had three tackles and an interception.
• Jayron Hosley and freshman Ronny Vandyke also had interceptions. Hosley intercepted a Logan Thomas pass, while Vandyke intercepted a Trey Gresh attempt.

Special teams highlights:

• The kickers connected on 5-of-6 attempts. Cody Journell hit from 35, 22 and 35 yards, while Justin Myer drilled a 52-yarder and a 28-yarder. "Cody's kicking extremely well," Beamer said. "Myer has a load of potential, and he needs to win some of the kicking contests during the week. That shows consistency, and that's where he is right now. Cody is usually winning it or right in the running at the end."

You are going to argue about this. How do I know? Because I'm still arguing with myself over it ...

1. Boston College: Luke Kuechly is one of the best in the country, but he’s not alone. The Eagles also have Kevin Pierre-Louis, who ranked second nationally among all freshmen in tackles per game last season with 7.15 -- ninth in the ACC. It won’t be easy to replace Mark Herzlich, on or off the field, but Steele Divitto played in 11 games last season, and Nick Clancy and Will Thompson both saw time on the second team.

2. Florida State: The Noles had to replace two starters, including Kendall Smith, the team’s second-leading tackler, last season, and Mister Alexander, but the upcoming talent could be even better. Nigel Bradham led the team with 98 tackles and five pass breakups last season, and Christian Jones, Jeff Luc, Telvin Smith and Vince Williams will also be competing for playing time.

3. Miami: Sean Spence, who has 30 career starts, should be one of the best in the country, and Ramon Buchanon, another senior, also returns. The Canes have five other linebackers with experience in Kelvin Cain, who started seven games, Jordan Futch, who had a great spring and will see the field, Tyrone Cornelius, Shayon Green and C.J. Holton.

4. North Carolina: Kevin Reddick, who led the Tar Heels with 74 tackles last season, returns for his third season as starter. Zach Brown is also a returning starter with game-changing capabilities, and there is plenty of depth with Dion Guy, Darius Lipford, Ebele Okakpu and Herman Davidson. Junior college transfer Fabby Desir could also have an impact.

5. NC State: Audie Cole and Terrell Manning have combined for 39 career starts, and Cole fared well this spring moving to the middle to replace Nate Irving. With the return of Sterling Lucas, Dwayne Maddox and Colby Jackson, there is plenty of experience, but not quite as much depth as some other programs.

6. Georgia Tech: The Jackets return both starters in Steven Sylvester and Julian Burnett. There is no shortage of depth with Jeremy Attaochu, Quayshawn Nealey, Brandon Watts, Albert Rocker, Malcolm Munroe and Daniel Drummond.

7. Clemson: This group has a lot of potential, especially if true freshmen Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony make an immediate impact. There’s no question they’ll be given a chance, but the Tigers already have a good group with Corico Hawkins, Quandon Christian and Jonathan Willard.

8. Virginia Tech: It seems like this rotation has been in flux for a while now. The Hokies’ leading tackler returns in Bruce Taylor, Barquell Rivers had 96 tackles as a starter in 2009 but was injured last season, and there are several young players adding to the competition. Chase Williams, Tariq Edwards, Telvion Clark and Jack Tyler are only a few. Whip linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow will have to earn his spot back over Alonzo Tweedy, Dominique Patterson and Nick Dew.

9. Maryland: The Terps were hit hard here with the losses of Alex Wujciak (381 career tackles) and Adrian Moten (14.5 career sacks). Demetrius Hartsfield returns with 20 career starts, and there are four lettermen returning including Darin Drakeford, Isaiah Ross, David Mackall and Bradley Johnson.

10. Wake Forest: Kyle Wilber’s move to outside linebacker will give this position a boost, as he led the Deacs with 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. His backup is Gelo Orange (22 tackles). The Deacs also have Tristan Dorty, Joey Ehrmann, Mike Olsen, Scott Betros, Riley Haynes and Justin Jackson.

11. Virginia: Starters LaRoy Reynolds and Ausar Walcott both return, but neither has started more than 11 career games. Junior Steve Greer has prior starting experience but played mainly as a reserve last season. Adam Taliaferro, Conner McCartin, Tucker Windle and LoVante Battle are also in the mix for playing time.

12. Duke: Kelby Brown is the lone returning starter, but he’s a promising young player who led the nation last season as a freshman in fumbles recovered. He missed spring ball while recovering from a knee injury, but is expected to start with Tyree Glover or Kevin Rojas.

Don't forget about the chat!

• Georgia Tech has been trying to improve its special teams this spring.
• Maryland coach Randy Edsall has high expectations, and the Terps likely won't meet them after just one spring.
• A lack of talent hasn't been BC's problem, but the Eagles lack leaders right now.
• Miami linebacker Ramon Buchanan has entered a pre-trial diversion program to clear himself of felony charges.
• When I was at Florida State this spring, I tried to get an exclusive with Chief Osceola and Renegade. Not even Jimbo Fisher knows where they hide, though. Apparently, he can find them soon on EA Sports NCAA Football 2012.
• It's been a long road back for Virginia Tech linebacker Barquell Rivers.
• One of the underrated stories of the spring has been the development of NC State's offensive line.

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said linebacker Lyndell Gibson, flanker Austin Fuller and cornerback Jacob Sykes are transferring at the end of the semester.

"We certainly wish each of these guys the best of luck and will help them in any way we can," Beamer said on his teleconference Monday to preview spring football. "With that said, I will not have any further comment on this."

Gibson, the Hokies' starting inside linebacker, was charged with a DUI in February. He would have missed spring practices because of December surgery on his left shoulder, which he broke in the first half of the ACC championship game against Florida State. Gibson had started the previous 18 games, including all 13 in 2010. He had 66 tackles last year, including six for loss and two sacks. He also had a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Fuller played in 10 games last year and had one catch. Sykes, a backup, had nine tackles and two pass breakups in three seasons.

Without Gibson, Beamer said the spring depth chart at linebacker is as follows:

MIKE: Bruce Taylor, Jack Tyler, Barquell Rivers

BACKER: Tariq Edwards, Chase Williams, Telvion Clark.

"It will be interesting to see how that linebacker position works its way out," Beamer said.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said redshirt freshman linebacker Jack Tyler will start against Stanford in the Discover Orange Bowl, and Bruce Taylor will start at the "backer" position and rotate at middle linebacker as well. The rotation will also include redshirt freshman Tariq Edwards.

Foster said he had lingering concerns about the mobility of Barquell Rivers, a projected starter this season who has yet to see the field because of injury, but that Rivers was "much better" in Thursday's practice. How much Rivers plays, if at all, remains to be seen.

"He had a little bit of massage to him and a little heat therapy and that kind of thing, kind of warmed him up prior to going out, and he moved a little bit better," Foster said. "But he can play great. I know the biggest thing, I know Mike Goforth is going to sit down and talk with him. And Barquell is a prideful kid; I think he'd tell me everything I wanted to hear, you know, that he's ready to play. But I also want to know does he feel like he can perform at a high level and at the level that he's got to play at for us to be successful. And I think Mike is going to sit down with him and talk that over and kind of feel him out a little bit from that standpoint."

Foster said Tyler is "a playmaker" and likes his experience at the Mike position.

"I think he's a little bit more physical guy than Tariq," Foster said. "Not to say that Tariq is not going to be a good football player; I think Tariq is going to be a very, very good football player for us. But with this offense, what they're doing, they'll be running the football. Jack is a very -- he has good vision, very instinctive guy, and it's just kind of a gut feeling for me from that standpoint.

"But you're going to see -- Bruce is a guy, he's a heady football player. We've practiced him the last two weeks at our backer spot. He can play Mike and he will play Mike, and Tariq is going to play. But I just felt like going in with this offense, what their strengths are, we need to match what our strengths could be as far as that position goes."

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Before he was injured, Virginia Tech linebacker Barquell Rivers gave his teammate Bruce Taylor some friendly advice.

He told Taylor to learn his position “in case something happens.”

Some things happened.

First, Rivers suffered a torn quad and missed the entire regular season. Then, in the ACC championship game, starter Lyndell Gibson was sidelined with a season-ending shoulder injury, and Taylor was injured, forcing redshirt freshmen Jack Tyler and Tariq Edwards into integral roles. They could continue to be impact players against Stanford in the Discover Orange Bowl. This week’s practices are likely to determine the Hokies’ starting lineup and rotation, which is currently unsettled.

The good news is that Taylor is healthy enough to play two positions, both “backer” and middle linebacker.

“It’s the first time I’ve done anything like that before, but Coach [Bud] Foster was telling me a few years back he had some guys who played both positions,” Taylor said. “He knows what he’s doing. He’s a great coach. I know we’ll be fine.”

Part of that is because Taylor took Rivers’ advice and kept up with the backer position during the year. He said he knows it now “except for a few little things.” Taylor said Rivers will play, but this week will determine how much. Edwards is listed as a starter on the two-deep depth chart against Stanford.

“If I have to come in as a backup, that will be fine as well,” he said. “We’re all prepared.

Tyler agreed, and said that his time in the ACC championship game did wonders for the confidence of those around him.

“It didn’t just help mine, I think it helped some of the players and coaches have more confidence in me,” he said. “I knew my abilities going in, but I think some coaches and players alongside of me, they might not have had as much confidence as they do now. I think it was more for them.”

Regardless of who lines up against Stanford, all of them said they’ll be prepared.

“It’s a little rambunctious right now, but Coach Foster, he knows what we’re doing. We all have our roles. We all know what we’re game planning for. We know game time is not going to be a big cluster. We’re going to know what we’re doing and be prepared to go out and win.”

NOW it's bowl season in the ACC ...

• The suspensions are starting to add up for Georgia Tech.
• Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will consider broadcasting and hasn't ruled out coaching again.
• Clemson senior safety DeAndre McDaniel and his teammates are looking to end the season with a winning record.
• NC State sophomore safety Earl Wolff is a little wiser this year and it's paying off for the Pack.
• Miami kicked it off Mexican style. Nobody, though, is allowed to cross the border.
• The Canes have an interim head coach, no starting quarterback, and strict rules not to cross the border.
• FSU quarterback Christian Ponder returned to practice at the Noles' first on-site practice for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
• Virginia Tech isn't done yet. The Hokies would like to make that winning streak a dozen and set the school record for victories.
• It's been a long struggle back from injury for Virginia Tech linebacker Barquell Rivers.
• NC State quarterback Russell Wilson has some decisions to make.

"Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." -- "It's a Wonderful Life"

• Remember yesterday's post about how Maryland's staff needs to step up in the Military Bowl? Um, yeah, John Donovan didn't get the memo.
• Jimbo Fisher and Will Muschamp are going to have to change their Facebook profiles so they're no longer in a relationship. Is there a setting for rivals? Who gets the beach house in this divorce? I'll take it ...
• Georgia Tech's defensive ends should have their hands full against Air Force.
• When hiring new coaches, athletic directors are looking for some sizzle as much as they are substance.
• Good news, Canes, Miami cornerback Brandon Harris says he's 85 percent sure he'll be back. Before you get too excited, though, he hasn't heard back from the NFL yet.
• Miami quarterback Jacory Harris might not get the chance to redeem himself in the bowl game.
• This season has marked a dramatic decline in the Hokies' tradition of blocking kicks.
• The Hokies are shuffling their linebackers. Will we finally see Barquell Rivers?

Bruce Taylor is the Hokies' leading tackler. They're going to need him. Looks like they might have him.

Out
Kwamaine Battle (knee) *
D.J. Coles (knee)
Barquell Rivers (quad)
Lorenzo Williams (foot) *
* - denotes already out for the year

Probable
Antone Exum (knee)
Cris Hill (ankle)
Eric Martin (knee)
Davon Morgan (foot)
Bruce Taylor (ankle)

Running back Ryan Williams is out for the third straight week, but the Hokies have proven capable of winning without him. Here's the full report:

Out
Kwamaine Battle (knee) *
Xavier Boyce (Achilles)
Eric Martin (knee)
Barquell Rivers (quad)
Lorenzo Williams (foot) *
Ryan Williams (hamstring)
* designates already out for the season

Probable
Andre Smith (sternum)
Eddie Whitley (foot)

Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams will miss Saturday's game at NC State with a hamstring injury, according to the team's injury report released on Thursday. The Hokies will obviously need all of the help they can get to match NC State's offense, but if there's one team that can afford to miss a starting running back, it's Virginia Tech. With Darren Evans and David Wilson, the Hokies were able to beat Boston College 19-0. It doesn't matter who is running the ball, though, if they don't get the blocks and into the end zone. Here's the full report, along with NC State's injury report:

VIRGINIA TECH

Out

Kwamaine Battle (knee)
Eric Martin (knee)
Barquell Rivers (quad)
Lorenzo Williams (foot)
Ryan Williams (hamstring)

Probable

Josh Oglesby (ankle)
Eddie Whitley (stinger)

NC STATE

PROBABLE
James Washington, HB - hamstring
Markus Kuhn, DT - knee

QUESTIONABLE - None listed

DOUBTFUL - None listed

OUT
Brandon Barnes, RB - ankle
Jarvis Byrd, CB - knee
Sylvester Crawford, DE - knee
Mikel Overgaard, OT - elbow
*Jesse Riley, DB - knee
*Rashard Smith, DB - knee
* - out for the season

Here are the injury reports for this week, based on e-mails from the sports information directors that reported:

Notes: Duke had no injuries to report, and because UCF did not release an injury report, NC State didn't. Also, the Duke-Wake Forest game is sold out.

CLEMSON

Brandon Maye, LB, knee, out

Kalon Davis, OT, back, out

Jarvis Jenkins, DT, knee, questionable

Miguel Chavis, DT, ankle, probable

MIAMI

Probable

LB Jordan Futch – Lower Extremity

OL Jermaine Johnson – Upper Extremity

DL Micanor Regis – Upper Extremity

DB Jamal Reid – Lower Extremity

DL Curtis Porter – Upper Extremity

DL Andrew Smith - Upper Extremity

Doubtful

RB Graig Cooper – Lower Extremity

Out

LB Kevin Nelson – Upper Extremity

DL Luther Robinson – Lower Extremity

Surgery and Out for the Season

FB John Calhoun – Lower Extremity

RB Darion Hall – Lower Extremity

DL Jeremy Lewis – Lower Extremity

LB Travis Williams – Lower Extremity

VIRGINIA TECH

Out
Xavier Boyce (knee)
Chris Drager (knee)
Barquell Rivers (quad)
Lorenzo Williams (foot - season)

No surprises here:

Out For Season

Lorenzo Williams (foot)

Out

Xavier Boyce (knee)

Barquell Rivers (quad)

Virginia Tech linebacker Bruce Taylor has had an impressive fall camp, but don’t take my word for it. I caught up with defensive coordinator Bud Foster this afternoon and he offered some praise:

“Bruce has been the best player on our side of the ball in camp,” Foster said. “He really has been and you know me, I’m not one to be that gracious, but he’s a guy who when Barquell [Rivers] got hurt in the offseason going into the spring, I knew it could be a very serious injury and Bruce is a big-time football player and a big-time recruit for us. He’s really stepped into that role.

"I don’t know what Barquell’s situation is going to be, but [Bruce] could be a guy who’s going to have to play 60 or 70 plays per game. He’s prepared himself that way. Physically, he looks so much better. He’s playing fast, he’s got a great football IQ, and he’s making a lot of our calls and doing those things. I’ve really, really been pleased with what he’s done and how he’s prepared himself and how it’s carried over into fall camp.”

Virginia Tech wide receiver Xavier Boyce and linebacker Lorenzo Williams underwent MRIs on Tuesday night at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg to evaluate the injuries they sustained in Saturday's scrimmage.

Williams tested positive for a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot and is tentatively set to have surgery next Thursday. He is expected to miss the season.

Boyce's MRI revealed a grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee and no surgery is required. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.

While this obviously isn't good news, they are both injuries the Hokies can overcome. Virginia Tech is five deep at wide receiver -- six if you count redshirt sophomore Austin Fuller. Boyce probably would've been No. 4 or 5 on the depth chart.

Williams was a backup at the whip linebacker position, where there's not a lot of depth. Having Alonzo Tweedy back from his groin injury will be helpful, as he's the No. 2 there now. There's a little more depth with the return of Zach Luckett, but he's still not 100 percent from his knee injury.

So ... heading into the Boise State game, the only two starters still hampered by injuries are linebacker Barquell Rivers, who is doubtful for the opener, and offensive lineman Nick Becton, who is still nursing his turf toe and hasn't practiced much lately.