ACC: Kevin Pierre-Louis
2011 overall record: 4-8
2011 conference record: 3-5 (5th, Atlantic)
Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 1
Top returners
LT John Wetzel, RT Emmett Cleary, LG Bobby Vardaro, RG Ian White, TE Chris Pantale, QB Chase Rettig, RB Rolandan Finch, RB Tahj Kimble, RB Andre Williams, WR Coin Larmond, WR Bobby Swigert, DE Kasim Edebali, DT Kaleb Ramsey, DT Dominic Appiah, DT Dillon Quinn, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB Steele Divitto, LB Sean Duggan, CB Jim Noel, SS Spenser Rositano
Key losses
C Mark Spinney, TE Lars Anderson, DE Max Holloway, LB Luke Kuechly, CB Donnie Fletcher, FS Hampton Hughes, P Ryan Quigley
2011 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: Rolandan Finch* (705 yards)
Passing: Chase Rettig* (1,960 yards)
Receiving: Colin Larmond* (528 yards)
Tackles: Luke Kuechly (191)
Sacks: Max Holloway (2.5)
Interceptions: Luke Kuechly (3)
Spring answers
1. Chase Rettig makes strides: Rettig was thrown into the fire early, and he has endured plenty since, with injuries, new schemes and last year's 4-8 campaign. Now a junior, and playing for another new offensive coordinator, Rettig has the command of the offense and should benefit from playing behind an experienced offensive line.
2. More running back depth than BC probably hoped for: Montel Harris and Andre Williams couldn't go in the spring game. Then Tahj Kimble injured himself early in the contest. Finch, who played a lot last season with Harris sidelined, ended up shouldering the load, and it will take a group effort this season with Harris out of the picture. Injuries and a dismissal gave BC a better look at its backfield talent than it had probably hoped for, but the group effort this spring should benefit the Eagles come fall.
3. Defense looking to build off 2011 finish: Coach Frank Spaziani said the worst thing about last season was that it ended. BC is hungry to build off its 4-8 campaign, as the team hopes to carry the momentum from winning two of its final three games. A long offseason gave the defense time to think about that finish, which was keyed by a unit that held each of the final three opponents to fewer than 20 points.
Fall questions
1. Who will replace Luke Kuechly? The short answer is no one. Kuechly's legend will only continue to grow with each passing day. But the Eagles do return plenty of talented linebackers, led by Steele Divitto and Kevin Pierre-Louis. It will take a collective effort and then some for the linebackers to make up for the loss of Kuechly, but their attitude in trying can certainly rub off on the rest of the defense.
2. What happened with Harris? The school's all-time leading rusher was dismissed from the team after the spring for a repeated violation of team rules. The backfield is used to playing without him after his injury-plagued 2011 campaign, but the suddenness of Harris' departure -- which Spaziani will not get into -- has to have some effect on his former teammates, especially with Harris having been primed to chase the ACC's career rushing record this season.
3. How will the offense transition under Doug Martin? Spaziani said he was impressed with the unit coming out of the spring, but a fifth offensive coordinator in five years has to be challenging for the players. Martin has said he is looking to increase the pace, and he'll have nine starters back to work with come preseason camp.
2011 conference record: 3-5 (5th, Atlantic)
Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 1
Top returners
LT John Wetzel, RT Emmett Cleary, LG Bobby Vardaro, RG Ian White, TE Chris Pantale, QB Chase Rettig, RB Rolandan Finch, RB Tahj Kimble, RB Andre Williams, WR Coin Larmond, WR Bobby Swigert, DE Kasim Edebali, DT Kaleb Ramsey, DT Dominic Appiah, DT Dillon Quinn, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB Steele Divitto, LB Sean Duggan, CB Jim Noel, SS Spenser Rositano
Key losses
C Mark Spinney, TE Lars Anderson, DE Max Holloway, LB Luke Kuechly, CB Donnie Fletcher, FS Hampton Hughes, P Ryan Quigley
2011 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: Rolandan Finch* (705 yards)
Passing: Chase Rettig* (1,960 yards)
Receiving: Colin Larmond* (528 yards)
Tackles: Luke Kuechly (191)
Sacks: Max Holloway (2.5)
Interceptions: Luke Kuechly (3)
Spring answers
1. Chase Rettig makes strides: Rettig was thrown into the fire early, and he has endured plenty since, with injuries, new schemes and last year's 4-8 campaign. Now a junior, and playing for another new offensive coordinator, Rettig has the command of the offense and should benefit from playing behind an experienced offensive line.
2. More running back depth than BC probably hoped for: Montel Harris and Andre Williams couldn't go in the spring game. Then Tahj Kimble injured himself early in the contest. Finch, who played a lot last season with Harris sidelined, ended up shouldering the load, and it will take a group effort this season with Harris out of the picture. Injuries and a dismissal gave BC a better look at its backfield talent than it had probably hoped for, but the group effort this spring should benefit the Eagles come fall.
3. Defense looking to build off 2011 finish: Coach Frank Spaziani said the worst thing about last season was that it ended. BC is hungry to build off its 4-8 campaign, as the team hopes to carry the momentum from winning two of its final three games. A long offseason gave the defense time to think about that finish, which was keyed by a unit that held each of the final three opponents to fewer than 20 points.
Fall questions
1. Who will replace Luke Kuechly? The short answer is no one. Kuechly's legend will only continue to grow with each passing day. But the Eagles do return plenty of talented linebackers, led by Steele Divitto and Kevin Pierre-Louis. It will take a collective effort and then some for the linebackers to make up for the loss of Kuechly, but their attitude in trying can certainly rub off on the rest of the defense.
2. What happened with Harris? The school's all-time leading rusher was dismissed from the team after the spring for a repeated violation of team rules. The backfield is used to playing without him after his injury-plagued 2011 campaign, but the suddenness of Harris' departure -- which Spaziani will not get into -- has to have some effect on his former teammates, especially with Harris having been primed to chase the ACC's career rushing record this season.
3. How will the offense transition under Doug Martin? Spaziani said he was impressed with the unit coming out of the spring, but a fifth offensive coordinator in five years has to be challenging for the players. Martin has said he is looking to increase the pace, and he'll have nine starters back to work with come preseason camp.
Frank Spaziani knows he probably is not getting 190-plus tackles from any of his linebackers this season. The Boston College coach is OK with that.
So, too, are the linebackers who will fill the void left by Luke Kuechly, the ACC's single-season (191) and career tackles (532) leader who left early for the NFL draft.
"If you talk to Luke, he'll be the first to say that we're a defense first, not just one guy," Sean Duggan said. "Losing a guy like him is a lot of tackles to make up, but we'll all chip in as a defense to get it done. Evenly as a unit we have to step up."
Kuechly will likely be the first linebacker to hear his name called in New York in less than three weeks. But the Eagles' linebackers are hardly fretting over Kuechly's departure, not after the promise they showed in winning two of their final three games to end an otherwise unfulfilling 2011 season.
The lone loss during that stretch was a two-point squeaker at heavily favored rival Notre Dame.
"I was on a team where losing was unacceptable," said linebacker Steele Divitto, who played for national power Don Bosco (Ramsey, N.J.). "That's the same mindset we're starting to apply here. It's not good enough to just do your job -- you have to go that extra mile. All my life I haven't really lost many football games, maybe two or three prior to BC. I hate to lose, and I think there are a lot of guys that hate losing and will do whatever it takes this offseason and in the season to win all these games.
"It's almost a mentality thing. I played for a great coach in high school and play for a great coach now. Coach Spaz talks about winning all the time: in the weight room, in conditioning, in the film room. We have to apply that mentality to everything."
Divitto is looking to build off a 72-tackle campaign from last season, when he was third on the team. (He added 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception as well.) In place of a bowl trip for last season's 4-8 squad, Divitto flew to Phoenix, where he worked out and studied with draft prospects at Athletes' Performance.
In the shadow of Kuechly last season on the outside, Divitto is now among the most experienced linebackers returning, along with fellow junior Kevin Pierre-Louis, who was hobbled much of the spring but had 74 tackles, six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery last season.
A possible replacement to Kuechly in the middle could be Duggan, who started three games outside last season as a true freshman, recording 39 tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery.
"Steele, he's gonna get better. He has a lot of experience now out there, played a lot of football he's going to have to up his production to make up for obviously Luke not being there," Spaziani said. "And Sean, he played a lot in a backup role, started a couple games for us. Now it's a new position for him in the middle, but he's a good football player. And he just needs reps and he needs more time, but we're happy to have him on the football team."
Duggan actually played briefly with Kuechly, the Nagurski and Butkus winner from a year ago, at St. Xavier (Cincinnati) High School.
"When I talked to Luke he said you've just got to relax out there and trust yourself," Duggan said of his conversations with Kuechly this spring. "You can't think too much out there because then you're slow, and at this level you can't afford to be slow against these guys. So trust yourself and the guys around you."
So, too, are the linebackers who will fill the void left by Luke Kuechly, the ACC's single-season (191) and career tackles (532) leader who left early for the NFL draft.
"If you talk to Luke, he'll be the first to say that we're a defense first, not just one guy," Sean Duggan said. "Losing a guy like him is a lot of tackles to make up, but we'll all chip in as a defense to get it done. Evenly as a unit we have to step up."
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Michael Tureski/Icon SMIThe Eagles have a large void to fill following the departure of Luke Kuechly, who won the Nagurski and Butkus awards last season.
Michael Tureski/Icon SMIThe Eagles have a large void to fill following the departure of Luke Kuechly, who won the Nagurski and Butkus awards last season.The lone loss during that stretch was a two-point squeaker at heavily favored rival Notre Dame.
"I was on a team where losing was unacceptable," said linebacker Steele Divitto, who played for national power Don Bosco (Ramsey, N.J.). "That's the same mindset we're starting to apply here. It's not good enough to just do your job -- you have to go that extra mile. All my life I haven't really lost many football games, maybe two or three prior to BC. I hate to lose, and I think there are a lot of guys that hate losing and will do whatever it takes this offseason and in the season to win all these games.
"It's almost a mentality thing. I played for a great coach in high school and play for a great coach now. Coach Spaz talks about winning all the time: in the weight room, in conditioning, in the film room. We have to apply that mentality to everything."
Divitto is looking to build off a 72-tackle campaign from last season, when he was third on the team. (He added 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception as well.) In place of a bowl trip for last season's 4-8 squad, Divitto flew to Phoenix, where he worked out and studied with draft prospects at Athletes' Performance.
In the shadow of Kuechly last season on the outside, Divitto is now among the most experienced linebackers returning, along with fellow junior Kevin Pierre-Louis, who was hobbled much of the spring but had 74 tackles, six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery last season.
A possible replacement to Kuechly in the middle could be Duggan, who started three games outside last season as a true freshman, recording 39 tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery.
"Steele, he's gonna get better. He has a lot of experience now out there, played a lot of football he's going to have to up his production to make up for obviously Luke not being there," Spaziani said. "And Sean, he played a lot in a backup role, started a couple games for us. Now it's a new position for him in the middle, but he's a good football player. And he just needs reps and he needs more time, but we're happy to have him on the football team."
Duggan actually played briefly with Kuechly, the Nagurski and Butkus winner from a year ago, at St. Xavier (Cincinnati) High School.
"When I talked to Luke he said you've just got to relax out there and trust yourself," Duggan said of his conversations with Kuechly this spring. "You can't think too much out there because then you're slow, and at this level you can't afford to be slow against these guys. So trust yourself and the guys around you."
Thanks as always to the sports information directors throughout the league for this week’s package of notes:
ACC: With Virginia Tech RB David Wilson, North Carolina RB Giovani Bernard, and Miami RB Lamar Miller leading the way, the ACC could set a league record for the most 100-yard rushing games in a single season in its history. Heading into Saturday, ACC runners have reached or surpassed the 100-yard mark in rushing on 47 occasions led by Wilson (9), Bernard (6) and Miller (6). The league mark of 55 100-yard rushing games was set last year. What makes this year’s total even more impressive is the fact that Boston College’s Montel Harris, who personally has 22 career 100-yard games, has contributed just one to the total this season due to an injury which has forced him to miss almost the entire 2011 season.
BOSTON COLLEGE: In BC’s 38-7 home loss to Florida State, a season-high 10 players were sidelined with injuries. In addition to the five players who have suffered season-ending injuries – WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee), DB C.J. Jones (knee), DL Connor Wujciak (shoulder), RB Montel Harris (knee) and DL Kaleb Ramsey (foot) – five veterans have suffered various recent injuries. They include senior OL Nate Richman, redshirt freshman RB Tahj Kimble, sophomore LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, junior DB Jim Noel and sophomore RB Andre Williams.
CLEMSON: The Tigers have defeated Wake Forest 23 of the past 25 meetings in Death Valley and have not lost to Wake Forest at home since 1998. Clemson has a 6-0 record at home this year and an average victory of 41-25. A win Saturday would also give Clemson a 7-0 record at home this year, the program’s first perfect home season since 1990 when Clemson was 6-0 in Death Valley.
DUKE: Duke has played five one-possession games (decided by eight points or less) this season with an average margin of difference of 2.40 points. The five games are tied for the third most in the nation. Duke’s 2.40 average is the sixth lowest nationally among schools that have played at least three one-possession games, with Buffalo ranking first at 1.67 average points in three games.
FLORIDA STATE: In 2011, 15 true freshmen have played, tied for the seventh-most among all FBS teams. The ‘Noles have played 11 redshirt freshmen for a total of 26 freshmen played. That number is tied for third among FBS schools, trailing only Clemson and Indiana, with 29 each. Five FSU true freshmen–-C Austin Barron, RB Devonta Freeman, WR Rashad Greene, OT Bobby Hart, and TE Nick O’Leary – have made starts, along with redshirt freshman QB Clint Trickett. FSU played 12 true freshmen in 2010 and 12 redshirt freshmen for a whopping 40 freshmen who have played to this point over the past two seasons.
GEORGIA TECH: The Jackets have allowed a 100-yard rusher in a game five times this season (all five have been ACC opponents). David Wilson’s rushing total (175 yards) was the most by a Tech opponent since 2009.
MARYLAND: WR Quintin McCree had his second career 100-yard receiving game with 117 yards against Virginia. It was also McCree’s second 100-yard effort in his last three games. WR Kerry Boykins also had the first of his career with 101 yards in Saturday’s Virginia game. McCree and Boykins are just the second Maryland duo in the past 16 years to post 100 receiving yards in the same game. Danny Oquendo (111) and Torrey Smith (115) both went over 100 receiving yards against Boston College on Nov. 29, 2008. Prior to that, the feat hadn’t occurred since 1995.
MIAMI: With his 202-yard performance against Duke on Nov. 5, Jacory Harris remains in second place in Miami’s records book with 8,097 career passing yards, surpassing Gino Torretta and trailing only Ken Dorsey (9,565).
NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina has never had a 1,000-yard runner and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season. Last week at NC State, Bernard became the 15th player in UNC history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and the first since Jonathan Linton in 1997. Heading into the Virginia Tech game, senior wide receiver Dwight Jones, who has 913 receiving yards, needs 87 yards to become just the second player in UNC history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
NC STATE: Tom O’Brien has won 42 games in BC’s Alumni Stadium, but is looking for his first win there as a visitor.
VIRGINIA: The Cavaliers enter Saturday’s game at Duke tied for third in the ACC in total offense at 427.7 yards per game. UVa is tied for 13th nationally with just eight sacks allowed this season (312 pass attempts). OG Austin Pasztor along with OT Oday Aboushi, OG Luke Bowanko, C Anthony Mihota and OT Morgan Moses have started all nine games this season. The only other ACC teams to start the same offensive line this year are NC State and Virginia Tech. The last time the same five players started an entire season on the offensive line at UVa was 2004. Coincidentally, that was the last time UVa averaged more rushing yards (242.8) per game than this year (190.1).
VIRGINIA TECH: The two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Logan Thomas against Georgia Tech gave him eight for the season, tying the single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a Tech quarterback. In 1999, Michael Vick rushed for eight touchdowns (he had another in the Sugar Bowl, but the NCAA didn’t count bowl statistics then). Thomas finished with 70 yards rushing,
WAKE FOREST: Wake Forest had come away with points on 11 straight trips to the red zone over four games heading into the Notre Dame game. Wake scored touchdowns on each of its first two trips to the red zone against Notre Dame and held a 17-10 halftime lead. But Wake’s string of 13 consecutive scoring trips came to a close when the Deacons failed on both red zone visits in the second half. The drives ended with a Brandon Pendergrass fumble at the Notre Dame nine-yard line and a missed field goal by PK Jimmy Newman.
ACC: With Virginia Tech RB David Wilson, North Carolina RB Giovani Bernard, and Miami RB Lamar Miller leading the way, the ACC could set a league record for the most 100-yard rushing games in a single season in its history. Heading into Saturday, ACC runners have reached or surpassed the 100-yard mark in rushing on 47 occasions led by Wilson (9), Bernard (6) and Miller (6). The league mark of 55 100-yard rushing games was set last year. What makes this year’s total even more impressive is the fact that Boston College’s Montel Harris, who personally has 22 career 100-yard games, has contributed just one to the total this season due to an injury which has forced him to miss almost the entire 2011 season.
BOSTON COLLEGE: In BC’s 38-7 home loss to Florida State, a season-high 10 players were sidelined with injuries. In addition to the five players who have suffered season-ending injuries – WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee), DB C.J. Jones (knee), DL Connor Wujciak (shoulder), RB Montel Harris (knee) and DL Kaleb Ramsey (foot) – five veterans have suffered various recent injuries. They include senior OL Nate Richman, redshirt freshman RB Tahj Kimble, sophomore LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, junior DB Jim Noel and sophomore RB Andre Williams.
CLEMSON: The Tigers have defeated Wake Forest 23 of the past 25 meetings in Death Valley and have not lost to Wake Forest at home since 1998. Clemson has a 6-0 record at home this year and an average victory of 41-25. A win Saturday would also give Clemson a 7-0 record at home this year, the program’s first perfect home season since 1990 when Clemson was 6-0 in Death Valley.
DUKE: Duke has played five one-possession games (decided by eight points or less) this season with an average margin of difference of 2.40 points. The five games are tied for the third most in the nation. Duke’s 2.40 average is the sixth lowest nationally among schools that have played at least three one-possession games, with Buffalo ranking first at 1.67 average points in three games.
FLORIDA STATE: In 2011, 15 true freshmen have played, tied for the seventh-most among all FBS teams. The ‘Noles have played 11 redshirt freshmen for a total of 26 freshmen played. That number is tied for third among FBS schools, trailing only Clemson and Indiana, with 29 each. Five FSU true freshmen–-C Austin Barron, RB Devonta Freeman, WR Rashad Greene, OT Bobby Hart, and TE Nick O’Leary – have made starts, along with redshirt freshman QB Clint Trickett. FSU played 12 true freshmen in 2010 and 12 redshirt freshmen for a whopping 40 freshmen who have played to this point over the past two seasons.
GEORGIA TECH: The Jackets have allowed a 100-yard rusher in a game five times this season (all five have been ACC opponents). David Wilson’s rushing total (175 yards) was the most by a Tech opponent since 2009.
MARYLAND: WR Quintin McCree had his second career 100-yard receiving game with 117 yards against Virginia. It was also McCree’s second 100-yard effort in his last three games. WR Kerry Boykins also had the first of his career with 101 yards in Saturday’s Virginia game. McCree and Boykins are just the second Maryland duo in the past 16 years to post 100 receiving yards in the same game. Danny Oquendo (111) and Torrey Smith (115) both went over 100 receiving yards against Boston College on Nov. 29, 2008. Prior to that, the feat hadn’t occurred since 1995.
MIAMI: With his 202-yard performance against Duke on Nov. 5, Jacory Harris remains in second place in Miami’s records book with 8,097 career passing yards, surpassing Gino Torretta and trailing only Ken Dorsey (9,565).
NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina has never had a 1,000-yard runner and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season. Last week at NC State, Bernard became the 15th player in UNC history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and the first since Jonathan Linton in 1997. Heading into the Virginia Tech game, senior wide receiver Dwight Jones, who has 913 receiving yards, needs 87 yards to become just the second player in UNC history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
NC STATE: Tom O’Brien has won 42 games in BC’s Alumni Stadium, but is looking for his first win there as a visitor.
VIRGINIA: The Cavaliers enter Saturday’s game at Duke tied for third in the ACC in total offense at 427.7 yards per game. UVa is tied for 13th nationally with just eight sacks allowed this season (312 pass attempts). OG Austin Pasztor along with OT Oday Aboushi, OG Luke Bowanko, C Anthony Mihota and OT Morgan Moses have started all nine games this season. The only other ACC teams to start the same offensive line this year are NC State and Virginia Tech. The last time the same five players started an entire season on the offensive line at UVa was 2004. Coincidentally, that was the last time UVa averaged more rushing yards (242.8) per game than this year (190.1).
VIRGINIA TECH: The two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Logan Thomas against Georgia Tech gave him eight for the season, tying the single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a Tech quarterback. In 1999, Michael Vick rushed for eight touchdowns (he had another in the Sugar Bowl, but the NCAA didn’t count bowl statistics then). Thomas finished with 70 yards rushing,
WAKE FOREST: Wake Forest had come away with points on 11 straight trips to the red zone over four games heading into the Notre Dame game. Wake scored touchdowns on each of its first two trips to the red zone against Notre Dame and held a 17-10 halftime lead. But Wake’s string of 13 consecutive scoring trips came to a close when the Deacons failed on both red zone visits in the second half. The drives ended with a Brandon Pendergrass fumble at the Notre Dame nine-yard line and a missed field goal by PK Jimmy Newman.
Here are your injury reports for the schools that reported them in Week 11:
BOSTON COLLEGE
Out
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DT Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
RB Montel Harris (knee)
DT Kaleb Ramsey (foot)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (leg)
DB Jim Noel (ankle)
LN Nick Clancy (knee)
Questionable
DE Dan Williams (shoulder)
DB Spenser Rositano (leg)
Probable
RB Andre Williams (abdomen)
RB Tahj Kimble (head)
CLEMSON
Out
Joe Gore, DE, Knee
Tony Steward, LB, Knee
Questionable
Spencer Benton, PK, shoulder
Will play
Andre Ellington, RB, ankle
DUKE
Probable
DE Justin Foxx (leg)
CB Zach Greene (leg)
CB Johnny Williams (leg)
Questionable
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
Doubtful
WR Jamison Crowder (leg)
Out
S Lee Butler (leg)
QB Brandon Connette (upper body)
C Brian Moore (upper body)
Out for season
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
DE Kenny Anunike (leg)
FLORIDA STATE
Out
Andrew Datko (shoulder)
Willie Haulstead (head)
Henry Orelus (head)
Darious Cummings (hand)
Out for season
Jacobbi McDaniel (ankle)
Chris Thompson (back)
Probable
David Spurlock (knee)
Rashad Greene (ankle)
Bryan Stork (head)
MIAMI
Out
Luther Robinson-Lower Extremity
Curtis Porter-Upper Extremity
Rashawn Scott-Upper Extremity
Jordan Futch-Upper Extremity
Surgery/Out for season
Marcus Forston-Lower Extremity
Ramon Buchanan-Lower Extremity
Corey White-Lower Extremity
Erik Lichter-Upper Extremity
Blake Ayles-Upper Extremity
NC STATE
Out for season
Jarvis Byrd, CB - Knee
D.J. Green, LB- Foot
Mustafa Greene, HB - Foot
Sterling Lucas, LB - Knee
Jeff Rieskamp, DE- Shoulder
Out for game
Taylor Gentry, FB - Foot
Jake Kahut, DE - Knee
Brandon Pittman, LB- Hamstring
Questionable
R.J. Mattes, OT - Ankle
VIRGINIA
Out
Pablo Alvarez, (upper extremity)
Charlie Richards, (upper extremity)
E.J. Scott, (medical)
Bobby Smith, (lower extremity)
Tyler Smith, (lower extremity)
Matt Snyder, (lower extremity)
Michael Terrell, (lower extremity)
W.J. Williams, (lower extremity)
Probable
Luke Bowanko (upper extremity)
Thompson Brown (medical)
Cam Johnson (lower extremity)
Rodney McLeod (lower extremity)
Colter Phillips (lower extremity)
Draquan Romero (lower extremity)
BOSTON COLLEGE
Out
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DT Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
RB Montel Harris (knee)
DT Kaleb Ramsey (foot)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (leg)
DB Jim Noel (ankle)
LN Nick Clancy (knee)
Questionable
DE Dan Williams (shoulder)
DB Spenser Rositano (leg)
Probable
RB Andre Williams (abdomen)
RB Tahj Kimble (head)
CLEMSON
Out
Joe Gore, DE, Knee
Tony Steward, LB, Knee
Questionable
Spencer Benton, PK, shoulder
Will play
Andre Ellington, RB, ankle
DUKE
Probable
DE Justin Foxx (leg)
CB Zach Greene (leg)
CB Johnny Williams (leg)
Questionable
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
Doubtful
WR Jamison Crowder (leg)
Out
S Lee Butler (leg)
QB Brandon Connette (upper body)
C Brian Moore (upper body)
Out for season
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
DE Kenny Anunike (leg)
FLORIDA STATE
Out
Andrew Datko (shoulder)
Willie Haulstead (head)
Henry Orelus (head)
Darious Cummings (hand)
Out for season
Jacobbi McDaniel (ankle)
Chris Thompson (back)
Probable
David Spurlock (knee)
Rashad Greene (ankle)
Bryan Stork (head)
MIAMI
Out
Luther Robinson-Lower Extremity
Curtis Porter-Upper Extremity
Rashawn Scott-Upper Extremity
Jordan Futch-Upper Extremity
Surgery/Out for season
Marcus Forston-Lower Extremity
Ramon Buchanan-Lower Extremity
Corey White-Lower Extremity
Erik Lichter-Upper Extremity
Blake Ayles-Upper Extremity
NC STATE
Out for season
Jarvis Byrd, CB - Knee
D.J. Green, LB- Foot
Mustafa Greene, HB - Foot
Sterling Lucas, LB - Knee
Jeff Rieskamp, DE- Shoulder
Out for game
Taylor Gentry, FB - Foot
Jake Kahut, DE - Knee
Brandon Pittman, LB- Hamstring
Questionable
R.J. Mattes, OT - Ankle
VIRGINIA
Out
Pablo Alvarez, (upper extremity)
Charlie Richards, (upper extremity)
E.J. Scott, (medical)
Bobby Smith, (lower extremity)
Tyler Smith, (lower extremity)
Matt Snyder, (lower extremity)
Michael Terrell, (lower extremity)
W.J. Williams, (lower extremity)
Probable
Luke Bowanko (upper extremity)
Thompson Brown (medical)
Cam Johnson (lower extremity)
Rodney McLeod (lower extremity)
Colter Phillips (lower extremity)
Draquan Romero (lower extremity)
Here is BC's full injury report for the Thursday night game against Florida State:
OUT
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DT Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
RB Montel Harris (knee)
DT Kaleb Ramsey (foot)
OG Nate Richman (head)
RB Tahj Kimble (head)
DOUBTFUL
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (leg)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Jim Noel (ankle)
RB Andre Williams (abdomen)
OUT
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DT Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
RB Montel Harris (knee)
DT Kaleb Ramsey (foot)
OG Nate Richman (head)
RB Tahj Kimble (head)
DOUBTFUL
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (leg)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Jim Noel (ankle)
RB Andre Williams (abdomen)
Here are the latest injury reports from the schools that reported them:
BOSTON COLLEGE
Out
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DT Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
TB Montel Harris (knee)
DT Kaleb Ramsey (foot)
DT Dillon Quinn (shoulder)
OG Nate Richman (back)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (leg)
DE Dan Williams (leg)
Doubtful
DT Conor O’Neal (illness)
Questionable
WR Bobby Swigert (shoulder)
CLEMSON
Out
Joe Gore, DE, Knee
Spencer Benton, PK, shoulder
Tony Steward, LB, Knee
Questionable
Andre Ellington, RB, ankle
Note: D.J. Howard will start at running back.
DUKE
Probable
WR Brandon Braxton (head)
S Matt Daniels (leg)
OG Dave Harding (leg)
QB Sean Renfree (leg)
Questionable
DE Justin Foxx (leg)
Doubtful
CB Johnny Williams (leg)
Out
S Lee Butler (leg)
QB Brandon Connette
Out for season
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
DE Kenny Anunike (leg)
FLORIDA STATE
Out
Andrew Datko (shoulder)
David Spurlock (knee)
Henry Orelus (head)
Moses McCray (knee)
Darious Cummings (hand)
Willie Haulstead (head)
Josh Gehres (knee)
Doubtful
Rashad Greene (ankle)
Out for season
Jacobbi McDaniel (ankle)
Chris Thompson (back)
GEORGIA TECH
Out
Jay Finch, C
Tyler Morgan, LS
Out for season
Fred Holton, S
Jimmie Kitchen, DL
Lance Richardson, S
MARYLAND
Out for season
WR Tyrek Cheeseboro
OL Andrew Gonnella
DB Avery Graham
LB Garrett Lederman
DB Matt Robinson
DL Isaiah Ross
TE Dave Stinebaugh
LB Kenny Tate
Out
WR Kevin Dorsey
OL Justin Gilbert
DB Jeremiah Johnson;
Doubtful
DL Justin Anderson
Questionable WR/PR Tony Logan
DL Andre Monroe
Probable
OL Max Garcia
NORTH CAROLINA
Out
Casey Barth, PK Thigh
Sean Fitzpatrick, TE Concussion
Kiaro Holts, OT Wrist
Matt Merletti, FS Knee
Devon Ramsay, FB Knee
Reggie Wilkins, WR Ankle
Questionable
Curtis Byrd, RB Knee
T.J. Leifheit, OT Ankle
Probable
Cam Holland, OC Back
Dwight Jones, WR Thigh
Kevin Reddick, LB Chest
NC STATE
Out for season
Jarvis Byrd, CB - knee
Mustafa Greene, HB - foot
Sterling Lucas, LB - knee
Out
Brandon Pittman, LB - leg
Taylor Gentry, FB - foot
Jake Kahut, DE - knee
Jeff Rieskamp, DE - shoulder
Thomas Teal, DT - foot
VIRGINIA TECH
Out for season
Kwamaine Battle (knee)
Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (foot)
Antoine Hopkins (knee)
Dyrell Roberts (arm)
E.L. Smiling (wrist)
Bruce Taylor (foot)
Out
Mark Shuman (knee/ankle)
Alonzo Tweedy (ankle)
BOSTON COLLEGE
Out
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DT Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
TB Montel Harris (knee)
DT Kaleb Ramsey (foot)
DT Dillon Quinn (shoulder)
OG Nate Richman (back)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (leg)
DE Dan Williams (leg)
Doubtful
DT Conor O’Neal (illness)
Questionable
WR Bobby Swigert (shoulder)
CLEMSON
Out
Joe Gore, DE, Knee
Spencer Benton, PK, shoulder
Tony Steward, LB, Knee
Questionable
Andre Ellington, RB, ankle
Note: D.J. Howard will start at running back.
DUKE
Probable
WR Brandon Braxton (head)
S Matt Daniels (leg)
OG Dave Harding (leg)
QB Sean Renfree (leg)
Questionable
DE Justin Foxx (leg)
Doubtful
CB Johnny Williams (leg)
Out
S Lee Butler (leg)
QB Brandon Connette
Out for season
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
DE Kenny Anunike (leg)
FLORIDA STATE
Out
Andrew Datko (shoulder)
David Spurlock (knee)
Henry Orelus (head)
Moses McCray (knee)
Darious Cummings (hand)
Willie Haulstead (head)
Josh Gehres (knee)
Doubtful
Rashad Greene (ankle)
Out for season
Jacobbi McDaniel (ankle)
Chris Thompson (back)
GEORGIA TECH
Out
Jay Finch, C
Tyler Morgan, LS
Out for season
Fred Holton, S
Jimmie Kitchen, DL
Lance Richardson, S
MARYLAND
Out for season
WR Tyrek Cheeseboro
OL Andrew Gonnella
DB Avery Graham
LB Garrett Lederman
DB Matt Robinson
DL Isaiah Ross
TE Dave Stinebaugh
LB Kenny Tate
Out
WR Kevin Dorsey
OL Justin Gilbert
DB Jeremiah Johnson;
Doubtful
DL Justin Anderson
Questionable WR/PR Tony Logan
DL Andre Monroe
Probable
OL Max Garcia
NORTH CAROLINA
Out
Casey Barth, PK Thigh
Sean Fitzpatrick, TE Concussion
Kiaro Holts, OT Wrist
Matt Merletti, FS Knee
Devon Ramsay, FB Knee
Reggie Wilkins, WR Ankle
Questionable
Curtis Byrd, RB Knee
T.J. Leifheit, OT Ankle
Probable
Cam Holland, OC Back
Dwight Jones, WR Thigh
Kevin Reddick, LB Chest
NC STATE
Out for season
Jarvis Byrd, CB - knee
Mustafa Greene, HB - foot
Sterling Lucas, LB - knee
Out
Brandon Pittman, LB - leg
Taylor Gentry, FB - foot
Jake Kahut, DE - knee
Jeff Rieskamp, DE - shoulder
Thomas Teal, DT - foot
VIRGINIA TECH
Out for season
Kwamaine Battle (knee)
Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (foot)
Antoine Hopkins (knee)
Dyrell Roberts (arm)
E.L. Smiling (wrist)
Bruce Taylor (foot)
Out
Mark Shuman (knee/ankle)
Alonzo Tweedy (ankle)
BC offense ready to pull its weight
August, 30, 2011
8/30/11
10:00
AM ET
By
Heather Dinich | ESPN.com
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- There is a sign in the meeting room for the Boston College wide receivers that reads “Be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there.”
It’s not exactly a new concept for the position, but there seems to be a newfound adherence to the rule.
“We have to live by that,” said receiver Colin Larmond Jr.
Timing is everything, and it’s finally coming together for the BC offense. The hire of first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers, coupled with the maturation of quarterback Chase Rettig, who is entering his second season as a starter, has made a world of difference for the Eagles -- at least according to those within the program based on what they’ve seen this offseason. The program has earned a reputation as one that wins with defense, but the offensive players -- with all due respect to their teammates -- are tired of hearing it.
They’re ready to close the gap and make Boston College a more balanced and complete team.
“I’ve said to the guys a few times, ‘Aren’t you just tired of hearing people say, ‘defense, defense?’ There’s two sides to the ball,” said Larmond Jr. “It’s always just the defense. That’s something that has to get to you guys. … Now they’re playing with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder and trying to prove that it’s not just BC’s defense, it’s BC’s whole team.”
But it’s BC’s offense that has to make the biggest strides if the Eagles are going to be a surprise contender for the Atlantic Division. Boston College ranked No. 109 in the country last year in total offense, No. 109 in scoring defense, and No. 97 in passing offense, and No. 90 in rushing offense.
The defense? It was the best in the country at stopping the run.
The offensive troubles were not a byproduct of former offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill, his system or his philosophy. Tranquill’s hands were tied by what he had to work with, and the root of the problem has been at the quarterback position, where dependability has been an issue. Not since Chris Crane in 2008 has BC known in early August who its starting quarterback was going to be.
Now, Rettig is The Man.
“I definitely think I’m ready,” he said. “But once you think you know everything, you don’t. Even the best quarterbacks in the NFL and college football are still learning every day. The base is there to work hard. If I can just keep working hard every week and prepare every game, I think we can be a successful team. … I think I’m going to have the opportunity to show I can be a dependable guy this year.”
He seems to have convinced those around him.
“The offense came out firing on all cylinders,” said linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis. “I can’t rave enough about them. They’ve done an amazing job this camp. They exposed certain weaknesses that we wouldn’t find out until later in the season.”
The biggest difference, he said, has been execution. Senior cornerback Donnie Fletcher agreed.
“Those guys are executing very well over there,” he said. “Usually we don’t get scored on. That caught us by surprise. Those guys have a good game plan.”
And it all starters with Rogers, whose reputation precedes him. Rogers was a fan and media favorite during his time at Virginia Tech, and his personality and knowledge of the game have had a similar immediate impact in Chestnut Hill. He got the players to buy in with his method of teaching.
The job now, he said, is to keep it up.
“We’re still a work in progress, but there’s visible improvement,” he said. “I think we’re a little better in spots than I anticipated. Obviously we have some situations we need to rectify, too.
“I just have to maintain that edge with those guys,” he said. “I’ve got to find a way to keep them believing. The only way that’s going to happen is if we win football games.”
A task that will get much easier as the offense improves.
It’s not exactly a new concept for the position, but there seems to be a newfound adherence to the rule.
“We have to live by that,” said receiver Colin Larmond Jr.
Timing is everything, and it’s finally coming together for the BC offense. The hire of first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers, coupled with the maturation of quarterback Chase Rettig, who is entering his second season as a starter, has made a world of difference for the Eagles -- at least according to those within the program based on what they’ve seen this offseason. The program has earned a reputation as one that wins with defense, but the offensive players -- with all due respect to their teammates -- are tired of hearing it.
They’re ready to close the gap and make Boston College a more balanced and complete team.
“I’ve said to the guys a few times, ‘Aren’t you just tired of hearing people say, ‘defense, defense?’ There’s two sides to the ball,” said Larmond Jr. “It’s always just the defense. That’s something that has to get to you guys. … Now they’re playing with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder and trying to prove that it’s not just BC’s defense, it’s BC’s whole team.”
But it’s BC’s offense that has to make the biggest strides if the Eagles are going to be a surprise contender for the Atlantic Division. Boston College ranked No. 109 in the country last year in total offense, No. 109 in scoring defense, and No. 97 in passing offense, and No. 90 in rushing offense.
The defense? It was the best in the country at stopping the run.
The offensive troubles were not a byproduct of former offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill, his system or his philosophy. Tranquill’s hands were tied by what he had to work with, and the root of the problem has been at the quarterback position, where dependability has been an issue. Not since Chris Crane in 2008 has BC known in early August who its starting quarterback was going to be.
Now, Rettig is The Man.
“I definitely think I’m ready,” he said. “But once you think you know everything, you don’t. Even the best quarterbacks in the NFL and college football are still learning every day. The base is there to work hard. If I can just keep working hard every week and prepare every game, I think we can be a successful team. … I think I’m going to have the opportunity to show I can be a dependable guy this year.”
He seems to have convinced those around him.
“The offense came out firing on all cylinders,” said linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis. “I can’t rave enough about them. They’ve done an amazing job this camp. They exposed certain weaknesses that we wouldn’t find out until later in the season.”
The biggest difference, he said, has been execution. Senior cornerback Donnie Fletcher agreed.
“Those guys are executing very well over there,” he said. “Usually we don’t get scored on. That caught us by surprise. Those guys have a good game plan.”
And it all starters with Rogers, whose reputation precedes him. Rogers was a fan and media favorite during his time at Virginia Tech, and his personality and knowledge of the game have had a similar immediate impact in Chestnut Hill. He got the players to buy in with his method of teaching.
The job now, he said, is to keep it up.
“We’re still a work in progress, but there’s visible improvement,” he said. “I think we’re a little better in spots than I anticipated. Obviously we have some situations we need to rectify, too.
“I just have to maintain that edge with those guys,” he said. “I’ve got to find a way to keep them believing. The only way that’s going to happen is if we win football games.”
A task that will get much easier as the offense improves.
Here's a quick recap of Boston College's fourth and final preseason scrimmage, according to the team's practice report:
Offensive highlights:
Offensive highlights:
- Quarterback Chase Rettig completed 20-of-28 attempts for 176 yards, but threw four picks.
- Receiver Colin Larmond, Jr. led the team with 10 receptions for 89 yards.
- Sophomore Alex Amidon caught three passes for 29 yards.
- Junior running back Mike Javorski had 10 carries for 32 yards. Sophomore Rolandan Finch carried the ball seven times for 26 yards while Kimble registered four attempts for 22 yards.
- Junior Hampton Hughes, who switched from wide receiver to defensive back just five days prior to the scrimmage, had two pass breakups and one interception.
- Freshman DB Manny Asprilla led all defensive players with five tackles and one pass breakup -- a long pass attempt that Asprilla deflected into redshirt freshman Sean Sylvia’s hands for an interception. Redshirt freshman Dominique Williams and sophomore Jim Noel also recorded interceptions.
- LBs Kevin Pierre-Louis and Steele Devitto each registered one sack.
- Sophomore PK Nate Freese hit a 41-yard field goal attempt to end the scrimmage.
- Senior Ryan Quigley punted four times, averaging 40 yards per punt, while his lone field-goal attempt -- of 42 yards -- missed.
Lotta links ...
- Sorry I missed this one yesterday, guys. Great read on Virginia tight end Colter Phillips and how his family is coping with the death of his father a year later.
- Virginia's real work is about to begin, including finding a quarterback.
- UVA offensive coordinator Bill Lazor hasn't offered up any clues as to who that might be. Maybe that's because he doesn't have any yet.
- Jim Grobe cracks me up. He said Joe Looney looks like he combs his hair with a grenade.
- North Carolina fans aren't quite sure how they feel about the state of their football program, according to one poll.
- David Glenn spoke with Frank Beamer recently about a variety of topics.
- The quarterback competition is heating up at Georgia Tech.
- Maryland running back Davin Meggett says this is his team, not Randy Edsall's. Don't look now, but the Terps have a leader.
- Jimbo Fisher has been pleased with his team's attitude.
- BC defensive coordinator Bill McGovern is ready for another defensive challenge.
- BC linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis will help make that challenge a little bit easier.
- Virginia Tech held its first mini-scrimmage, but no starters were on the field.
- Clemson freshman Bashaud Breeland is making a push for some playing time.
- Miami linebacker Jordan Futch is tired of being No. 2.
- Congrats to the NC State players who started the chapter of Uplifting Athletes. It's a great cause, and would be perfect for Florida State right now to help the cause of Ethan Fisher.
- Maryland's Kenny Tate has moved from safety to linebacker, but who will take over in the Terps' secondary?
- Some news and notes from Day 4 of Miami's camp.
Another impossible task ...
1. Luke Kuechly, Boston College: He led the nation in tackles (14.1) and solo tackles per game. He is the active career leading tackler in the nation with 13.1 tackes in 26 career starts. He has an FBS best streak of 22 games with at least 10 tackles.
2. Sean Spence, Miami: He had 110 tackles last season, including 16 for loss. He was the 2008 ACC defensive Rookie of the Year but took a step back in 2009 because of injuries.
3. Kenny Tate, Maryland: He made the move to linebacker this spring under coach Randy Edsall, and will play a hybrid role. He had 100 tackles last year as a safety, more total tackles than any other defensive back in the ACC. He also had 8.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and four pass deflections.
4. Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech: He led the Hokies in tackles last season with 91. He started all 14 games and led the team in TFLs (15.5), was second with six quarterback sacks and also had four pass breakups and eight quarterback hurries.
5. Nigel Bradham, Florida State: He led FSU last season with 98 tackles, five sacks and 5.5 TFLs. He also had five pass breakups, one forced fumble and blocked one kick.
6. Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest: The pass-rusher moved to outside linebacker when Wake changed to a 3-4 defense last fall. He led the team with 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He has 24 career TFLs, the third-highest of any returning ACC defender.
7. Terrell Manning, NC State: He finished last season with 75 tackles, including 10.5 TFLs and 4.5 quarterback sacks. He also had one interception, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
8. Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College: He earned first-team FWAA freshman All-American honors after averaging 7.2 tackles per game as a rookie (93 total). He was the second-leading freshman tackler in the country last season and ranked ninth overall in the ACC. He also had three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
9. Demetrius Hartsfield, Maryland: He was the Terps’ third-leading tackler last season with 87, including 5.5 TFLs. He also had an interception, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
10. Kevin Reddick, North Carolina: He was the leading tackler last season with 74 and has 119 career tackles in 20 starts. Since he joined the starting lineup, UNC opponents have been held to 104.8 rushing yards per game. He also has two interceptions, seven passes defended and four quarterback hurries.
1. Luke Kuechly, Boston College: He led the nation in tackles (14.1) and solo tackles per game. He is the active career leading tackler in the nation with 13.1 tackes in 26 career starts. He has an FBS best streak of 22 games with at least 10 tackles.
[+] Enlarge
Steve Mitchell/US PresswireMiami linebacker Sean Spence had 110 tackles last season.
Steve Mitchell/US PresswireMiami linebacker Sean Spence had 110 tackles last season.3. Kenny Tate, Maryland: He made the move to linebacker this spring under coach Randy Edsall, and will play a hybrid role. He had 100 tackles last year as a safety, more total tackles than any other defensive back in the ACC. He also had 8.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and four pass deflections.
4. Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech: He led the Hokies in tackles last season with 91. He started all 14 games and led the team in TFLs (15.5), was second with six quarterback sacks and also had four pass breakups and eight quarterback hurries.
5. Nigel Bradham, Florida State: He led FSU last season with 98 tackles, five sacks and 5.5 TFLs. He also had five pass breakups, one forced fumble and blocked one kick.
6. Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest: The pass-rusher moved to outside linebacker when Wake changed to a 3-4 defense last fall. He led the team with 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He has 24 career TFLs, the third-highest of any returning ACC defender.
7. Terrell Manning, NC State: He finished last season with 75 tackles, including 10.5 TFLs and 4.5 quarterback sacks. He also had one interception, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
8. Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College: He earned first-team FWAA freshman All-American honors after averaging 7.2 tackles per game as a rookie (93 total). He was the second-leading freshman tackler in the country last season and ranked ninth overall in the ACC. He also had three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
9. Demetrius Hartsfield, Maryland: He was the Terps’ third-leading tackler last season with 87, including 5.5 TFLs. He also had an interception, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
10. Kevin Reddick, North Carolina: He was the leading tackler last season with 74 and has 119 career tackles in 20 starts. Since he joined the starting lineup, UNC opponents have been held to 104.8 rushing yards per game. He also has two interceptions, seven passes defended and four quarterback hurries.
ACC team position rankings: Linebackers
June, 29, 2011
6/29/11
5:00
PM ET
By
Heather Dinich | ESPN.com
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.
[+] Enlarge
Michael Tureski/Icon SMILuke Kuechly leads a deep group of Boston College linebackers.
Michael Tureski/Icon SMILuke Kuechly leads a deep group of Boston College linebackers.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.
My blogger colleagues had a fun idea and composed dream teams for their respective conferences, a good way to highlight the strongest position groups in the ACC. Here are my votes for the team I’d like to match up against anyone in this year’s Orange Bowl:
Quarterbacks: Maryland
At some point, Danny O’Brien deserves credit for his performance last season. There was a reason he was named the league’s 2010 Rookie of the Year: He’s that good, and he’s only going to get better. O’Brien had a 7-3 record as a first-year starter last season, and despite not starting the first three games, his 22 touchdown passes were third in the country among freshmen and second in school history. His efficiency rating of 134.5 last season is the best in the conference among returning quarterbacks. The question is how quickly he’ll adapt to the new offense, and which receivers will emerge as his favorite targets.
Honorable mention: Florida State, Duke
Running backs: Florida State
The Seminoles return their top three rushers in Chris Thompson, Ty Jones and Jermaine Thomas, who combined to run for 1,862 yards last season -- an average of 6.1 yards per carry -- and 17 touchdowns. Thompson hit the 1,000-yard mark (exactly) in combination yardage with 845 rushing and 155 receiving. Thomas has rushed for 1,804 yards in his career heading into his senior season, the second-most of any active ACC runner, trailing only BC’s Montel Harris. Speaking of Harris, …
Honorable mention: Boston College, Miami, Clemson
Receivers: Duke
Conner Vernon led the ACC in pass receptions (73) and finished third in receiving yards (973). He has 128 catches in his first two collegiate seasons, while Donovan Varner ranked fourth in the ACC last season in pass receptions (60) and seventh in yardage (736). Their 274 combined pass receptions are the most of any active duo in the conference.
Honorable mention: North Carolina, Virginia Tech
Offensive line: North Carolina
This could be one of the biggest and most athletic groups under Butch Davis since he was hired in Chapel Hill. None of the players in the two-deep is under 305 pounds (the starting lineup averages 319 pounds), and eight of the top 10 linemen return, including three starters from last season’s roster. The left side of the line will be particularly strong with guard Jonathan Cooper (22 career starts), and tackle James Hurst.
Honorable mention: Clemson, Miami
Defensive line: North Carolina
All four starters return, making this what should be one of the most fearsome fronts in college football. Defensive end Quinton Coples played both tackle and end last season and had 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Tydreke Powell and Donte Paige-Moss should also be first-team all-conference candidates.
Honorable mention: Florida State
Linebackers: Boston College
The Eagles return Luke Kuechly, a unanimous All-American last season, and the top tackler in the country. Kuechly led the nation in tackles (183) and solo stops (110) a year after ranking second in those categories as a true freshman. But it’s not just Kuechly. Kevin Pierre-Louis will start alongside him on the outside. He started all 13 games as a true freshman and ranked second on the team with 93 tackles and 59 solo stops. The Eagles have to replace three-year starter Mark Herzlich, but Steele Divitto played in 11 games last season.
Honorable mention: NC State
Cornerbacks: Florida State
Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes combined for 33 passes defended last season, the most of any pair of cornerbacks in the nation. Rhodes was named the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year after he ranked No. 16 nationally in passes defended with four interceptions and 12 breakups. Reid finished tenth in the nation in passes defended with three picks and 14 deflections. He was also fourth in the ACC in punt returns and led the nation in punt returns as a freshman.
Honorable mention: Virginia Tech, Virginia
Safeties: Miami
Even though he wasn’t a starter last season, Ray-Ray Armstrong was third on the team with 79 tackles and tied for the lead in interceptions with three. He started four games last seaosn and also had 4.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Vaughn Telemaque has 24 career starts and finished last season with 58 tackles and three interceptions.
Honorable mention: Florida State
Punter: Florida State
Shawn Powell would have led the ACC in punting last season with a 44.3 average, but he didn’t have enough punts to qualify. Still, 16 of his 50 punts (32 percent) were downed inside opponents’ 20.
Honorable mention: Virginia
Kicker: Duke
Will Snyderwine ranked seventh nationally in field goals last seaosn, making 21 of 24 attempts. He has made 38 of 44 field goal attempts in his career, and his career field goal percentage of .864 ranks third among all active FBS kickers.
Honorable mention: Florida State
Quarterbacks: Maryland
At some point, Danny O’Brien deserves credit for his performance last season. There was a reason he was named the league’s 2010 Rookie of the Year: He’s that good, and he’s only going to get better. O’Brien had a 7-3 record as a first-year starter last season, and despite not starting the first three games, his 22 touchdown passes were third in the country among freshmen and second in school history. His efficiency rating of 134.5 last season is the best in the conference among returning quarterbacks. The question is how quickly he’ll adapt to the new offense, and which receivers will emerge as his favorite targets.
Honorable mention: Florida State, Duke
Running backs: Florida State
The Seminoles return their top three rushers in Chris Thompson, Ty Jones and Jermaine Thomas, who combined to run for 1,862 yards last season -- an average of 6.1 yards per carry -- and 17 touchdowns. Thompson hit the 1,000-yard mark (exactly) in combination yardage with 845 rushing and 155 receiving. Thomas has rushed for 1,804 yards in his career heading into his senior season, the second-most of any active ACC runner, trailing only BC’s Montel Harris. Speaking of Harris, …
Honorable mention: Boston College, Miami, Clemson
Receivers: Duke
Conner Vernon led the ACC in pass receptions (73) and finished third in receiving yards (973). He has 128 catches in his first two collegiate seasons, while Donovan Varner ranked fourth in the ACC last season in pass receptions (60) and seventh in yardage (736). Their 274 combined pass receptions are the most of any active duo in the conference.
Honorable mention: North Carolina, Virginia Tech
Offensive line: North Carolina
This could be one of the biggest and most athletic groups under Butch Davis since he was hired in Chapel Hill. None of the players in the two-deep is under 305 pounds (the starting lineup averages 319 pounds), and eight of the top 10 linemen return, including three starters from last season’s roster. The left side of the line will be particularly strong with guard Jonathan Cooper (22 career starts), and tackle James Hurst.
Honorable mention: Clemson, Miami
Defensive line: North Carolina
All four starters return, making this what should be one of the most fearsome fronts in college football. Defensive end Quinton Coples played both tackle and end last season and had 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Tydreke Powell and Donte Paige-Moss should also be first-team all-conference candidates.
Honorable mention: Florida State
Linebackers: Boston College
The Eagles return Luke Kuechly, a unanimous All-American last season, and the top tackler in the country. Kuechly led the nation in tackles (183) and solo stops (110) a year after ranking second in those categories as a true freshman. But it’s not just Kuechly. Kevin Pierre-Louis will start alongside him on the outside. He started all 13 games as a true freshman and ranked second on the team with 93 tackles and 59 solo stops. The Eagles have to replace three-year starter Mark Herzlich, but Steele Divitto played in 11 games last season.
Honorable mention: NC State
Cornerbacks: Florida State
Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes combined for 33 passes defended last season, the most of any pair of cornerbacks in the nation. Rhodes was named the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year after he ranked No. 16 nationally in passes defended with four interceptions and 12 breakups. Reid finished tenth in the nation in passes defended with three picks and 14 deflections. He was also fourth in the ACC in punt returns and led the nation in punt returns as a freshman.
Honorable mention: Virginia Tech, Virginia
Safeties: Miami
Even though he wasn’t a starter last season, Ray-Ray Armstrong was third on the team with 79 tackles and tied for the lead in interceptions with three. He started four games last seaosn and also had 4.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Vaughn Telemaque has 24 career starts and finished last season with 58 tackles and three interceptions.
Honorable mention: Florida State
Punter: Florida State
Shawn Powell would have led the ACC in punting last season with a 44.3 average, but he didn’t have enough punts to qualify. Still, 16 of his 50 punts (32 percent) were downed inside opponents’ 20.
Honorable mention: Virginia
Kicker: Duke
Will Snyderwine ranked seventh nationally in field goals last seaosn, making 21 of 24 attempts. He has made 38 of 44 field goal attempts in his career, and his career field goal percentage of .864 ranks third among all active FBS kickers.
Honorable mention: Florida State
Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig threw two touchdown passes on Saturday in the Eagles' first scrimmage of the spring. It was also the debut for first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers.
Offensive highlights:
Offensive highlights:
- Rettig completed 11 of 16 passes for 171 yards.
- Dave Shinskie, who lost the starting job to Rettig last year, completed 8 of 10 passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns.
- Junior Mike Marscovetra (11-13, 86 yards) and redshirt freshman Josh Bordner (5-13, 32 yards) were also in the quarterback rotation.
- Sophomore Alex Amidon led all receivers with four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
- Senior Ifeanyi Momah had four catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
- Linebacker Luke Kuechly led the defense with eight tackles.
- Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis had seven tackles and a pass breakup.
It's game day in the ACC! Hey, look at it this way, Tar Heels, at least you've still got your mascot!
- It's Marvin Austin who won't be making the trip to Atlanta.
- Expectations have risen for Miami, and they start with quarterback Jacory Harris.
- Virginia Tech's national title hopes have a lot to do with the Hokies' talented one-two punch.
- NC State fans can expect to see backup quarterback Mike Glennon this weekend.
- Wake Forest linebacker Matt Woodlief had some very talented players in front of him to learn from.
- Georgia Tech's three defensive linemen will be undersized compared to South Carolina State's offensive front.
- The Winston-Salem Journal breaks down the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions for you.
- The one thing Tom O'Brien needs this fall? Wins.
- Wake Forest isn't too far off from when it won the ACC -- the difference was they were able to make the plays that counted in the fouth quarter.
- Possibly no position better illustrated FSU's defensive decline than defensive end. The Noles are looking to change that now.
- The thunder and lightning combo is back at Clemson.
- Is Kevin Pierre-Louis this year's Luke Kuechly at BC?
- The Hokies will need to be fundamentally sound in their tackling against Boise State.
- There will be a change in game-day operations at Virginia. The quarterbacks can now see who they're talking to.
- Here's a quick trip around the ACC for you.
- Shirley "Red" Wilson has an interesting perspective on the Duke-Elon game since he coached at both schools.
- Duke cornerback Johnny Williams has no problem getting out for the race, it's finishing fast he's still working on.
- There's much more to the Maryland-Navy rivalry than just a former Terp flipping the bird (twice).
Weekend rewind: Scrimmage highlights
August, 16, 2010
8/16/10
8:00
AM ET
By
Heather Dinich | ESPN.com
Ahh, scrimmages. They're almost like real games, right? Nope. Still, something to hold us over.
Here's a look back at the weekend scrimmages for schools that provided scrimmage reports:
BOSTON COLLEGE
There's a running back other than Montel Harris capable of making some plays. True freshman Andre Williams led the running game with seven carries for 59 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Dave Shinskie completed 9 of 14 pass attempts for 81 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Jordon McMichael led all receivers with four catches for 23 yards.
Defensively, true freshman linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis led the Eagles with five tackles. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Dillon Quinn made three sacks, which should be an encouraging sign to a line in need of some help.
Redshirt freshman kicker Nate Freese went 2-for-3, making from 24 and 44, but missing a 46-yarder off the left upright. Junior Ryan Quigley made from 33 and missed from 34.
CLEMSON
Quarterback Kyle Parker threw three touchdowns passes -- two to running back Andre Ellington -- in Clemson’s two-hour scrimmage in Death Valley on Saturday morning. It was the second scrimmage for the Tigers.
Parker completed 10-of-14 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He led the first-team offense to four touchdowns overall. Roderick McDowell led the rushers with 12 carries for 127 yards on the ground, including a 12-yard touchdown run and a 53-yard run early in the scrimmage.
Terrance Ashe led the receivers with five catches for 76 yards, including a 44-yard completion from Parker.
The defense was led by Brandon Maye, who had six tackles, including a tackle for loss and a diving backwards interception from his linebacker position.
GEORGIA TECH
Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt was the highlight of the Jackets' scrimmage. He opened the scrimmage with a 70-yard scoring drive and had a two-yard touchdown run and a six-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Hill. Defensively, true freshman Louis Young and sophomore linebacker Julian Burnett had interceptions.
VIRGINIA TECH
The kickers were the highlight of the second scrimmage, as the offense didn't score a touchdown. Part of that was because the coaching staff stopped drives inside the 20, because the staff hasn't installed its entire red-zone package. The staff is expected to make a decision on its backup quarterback situation soon.
Here are the Hokies' stats leaders from Saturday:
RUSHING
Darren Evans 12-60
David Wilson 6-33
Ryan Williams 4-18
PASSING
Logan Thomas 9-17-0-82
Tyrod Taylor 5-7-0-42
Ju-Ju Clayton 3-8-0-36
RECEIVING
Marcus Davis 2-15
Austin Fuller 2-20
FIELD GOALS
Chris Hazley made four: 29 yards, 43, 48 and 31
TACKLES
Derek DiNardo, 6
WAKE FOREST
The Deacs scrimmaged for 90 minutes on Saturday in the first of three scrimmages, and the quarterback race continues.
RUSHING
Josh Harris 5-76 and 1 TD
Skylar Jones 10-44
Patrick Thompson 7-29
PASSING
Tanner Price 8-13 for 82 yards
Patrick Thompson 3-10 for 61 yds and an INT
Ted Stachitas 5-of-8 for 95 yds and 1 TD
Skylar Jones 4-of-7 for 27 yds
Brendan Cross 2-of-3 for 16 yds
RECEIVING
Devon Brown 4-67
Marshall Williams 3-79
FIELD GOALS
Jimmy Newman made three, 27 yards, 38 and 25
TACKLES
Justin Jackson, 7
Freshman Joe LaBarbera intercepted Thompson late in the scrimmage and returned it 25 yards.
Here's a look back at the weekend scrimmages for schools that provided scrimmage reports:
BOSTON COLLEGE
There's a running back other than Montel Harris capable of making some plays. True freshman Andre Williams led the running game with seven carries for 59 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Dave Shinskie completed 9 of 14 pass attempts for 81 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Jordon McMichael led all receivers with four catches for 23 yards.
Defensively, true freshman linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis led the Eagles with five tackles. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Dillon Quinn made three sacks, which should be an encouraging sign to a line in need of some help.
Redshirt freshman kicker Nate Freese went 2-for-3, making from 24 and 44, but missing a 46-yarder off the left upright. Junior Ryan Quigley made from 33 and missed from 34.
CLEMSON
Quarterback Kyle Parker threw three touchdowns passes -- two to running back Andre Ellington -- in Clemson’s two-hour scrimmage in Death Valley on Saturday morning. It was the second scrimmage for the Tigers.
Parker completed 10-of-14 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He led the first-team offense to four touchdowns overall. Roderick McDowell led the rushers with 12 carries for 127 yards on the ground, including a 12-yard touchdown run and a 53-yard run early in the scrimmage.
Terrance Ashe led the receivers with five catches for 76 yards, including a 44-yard completion from Parker.
The defense was led by Brandon Maye, who had six tackles, including a tackle for loss and a diving backwards interception from his linebacker position.
GEORGIA TECH
Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt was the highlight of the Jackets' scrimmage. He opened the scrimmage with a 70-yard scoring drive and had a two-yard touchdown run and a six-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Hill. Defensively, true freshman Louis Young and sophomore linebacker Julian Burnett had interceptions.
VIRGINIA TECH
The kickers were the highlight of the second scrimmage, as the offense didn't score a touchdown. Part of that was because the coaching staff stopped drives inside the 20, because the staff hasn't installed its entire red-zone package. The staff is expected to make a decision on its backup quarterback situation soon.
Here are the Hokies' stats leaders from Saturday:
RUSHING
Darren Evans 12-60
David Wilson 6-33
Ryan Williams 4-18
PASSING
Logan Thomas 9-17-0-82
Tyrod Taylor 5-7-0-42
Ju-Ju Clayton 3-8-0-36
RECEIVING
Marcus Davis 2-15
Austin Fuller 2-20
FIELD GOALS
Chris Hazley made four: 29 yards, 43, 48 and 31
TACKLES
Derek DiNardo, 6
WAKE FOREST
The Deacs scrimmaged for 90 minutes on Saturday in the first of three scrimmages, and the quarterback race continues.
RUSHING
Josh Harris 5-76 and 1 TD
Skylar Jones 10-44
Patrick Thompson 7-29
PASSING
Tanner Price 8-13 for 82 yards
Patrick Thompson 3-10 for 61 yds and an INT
Ted Stachitas 5-of-8 for 95 yds and 1 TD
Skylar Jones 4-of-7 for 27 yds
Brendan Cross 2-of-3 for 16 yds
RECEIVING
Devon Brown 4-67
Marshall Williams 3-79
FIELD GOALS
Jimmy Newman made three, 27 yards, 38 and 25
TACKLES
Justin Jackson, 7
Freshman Joe LaBarbera intercepted Thompson late in the scrimmage and returned it 25 yards.
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.
