ACC Roundup | FSU Shocks UNC; Clemson Blasts GT
Clemson 73, Georgia Tech 7: In the latest exhibition of the separation between the Tigers (5-0, 4-0) and the rest of the conference, #1-ranked Clemson rattled off 66 unanswered points in a runaway victory over the Yellow Jackets (2-3, 2-2).
Despite only playing in one series after halftime, Trevor Lawrence threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns while completing 24 of his 32 pass attempts. Amari Rodgers led Clemson’s receiving corps with six receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a balanced approach across the board, evidenced by the fact that All-American running back Travis Etienne had just 73 total yards.
Georgia Tech freshman quarterback Jeff Simms struggled against Clemson’s relentless defense, completing just six of his 13 pass attempts for 81 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Georgia Tech’s only points came on a 59-yard Sims pass to Jalen Camp.
Yellow Jacket freshman running back Jahmyr Gibbs did show some flashes, rushing for 67 yards on 15 carries.
Notre Dame plays at Georgia Tech on Oct. 31st.
The Irish host Clemson on Nov. 7th.
Miami 31, Pittsburgh 19: The Panthers fell behind early and could never catch up on the road against the Hurricanes (4-1, 3-1).
Miami jumped out to a 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter before a pair of Pitt field goals trimmed it to 14-6 at intermission. The Panthers (3-3, 2-3) would eventually cut the lead to five – 21-16 – in the third quarter, but a 45-yard touchdown pass from D’Eriq King to Will Mallory stretched the lead back and a 37-yard field goal by Jose Borregales iced it in the fourth.
Pitt starting quarterback Kenny Pickett didn’t make the trip with an ankle injury. His backup, Joey Yellen, completed 22 of 46 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown. Freshman receiver Jordan Addison caught eight passes for 147 yards, but the Panthers were limited to just 22 rushing yards on 26 carries.
King completed 16 of 31 passes for 222 yards with four touchdown passes, including two to Mallory, with a pair of interceptions.
The Irish travel to Pitt this Saturday.
Notre Dame will not face Miami this season.
Florida State 31, North Carolina 28: In the stunner of the weekend across the country, the struggling Seminoles hung on to knock off the fifth-ranked Tar Heels (3-1, 3-1).
Florida State (2-3, 1-3) jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the second quarter and a 31-7 advantage at intermission.
The Seminoles wouldn’t score again and the Tar Heels seemed primed for a huge late come back behind three touchdown passes by Sam Howell in the final 20 minutes, but their drive into Florida State territory in the final minute ended with three straight incompletions – or drops – finished their chances.
Howell finished 20-for-36 for 374 yards and three touchdowns with an interception while Javonte Williams had 119 rushing yards and 67 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Beau Corrales caught four passes for 141 yards and a score to lead Tar Heel receivers.
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis once again showed his dual-threat ability, throwing for 191 yards and a score while rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Seminole running back La’Damian Webb ran for 109 yards on 12 carries.
Notre Dame beat Florida State 42-26 on Oct. 10th.
The Irish play at North Carolina on Nov. 27th.
Virginia Tech 40, Boston College 14: For the first time in weeks, a BC game didn’t come down to the final minute.
The Eagles (3-2, 2-2) kept a game until the fourth quarter, when touchdown runs by Raheem Blackshear and quarterback Hendon Hooker sealed the victory for the Hokies (3-1, 3-1).
Hooker completed 11 of 15 passes, but for just 111 yards and a touchdown. However, he ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 18 rushes. Running back Khalil Herbert tallied 143 yards on 18 carries.
BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec finished with 345 passing yards and two touchdowns with two picks on 28-of-51 passing. Jaelen Gill caught six of those passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, but the Eagles were limited to just 90 rushing yards on 25 carries as a team.
The Irish play at Boston College on Nov. 14th.
Notre Dame does not face Virginia Tech this season.
NC State 31, Duke 20: Duke’s games this season haven’t been quite as close as BC’s, but the Blue Devils (1-5, 1-5) have only notched one victory so far.
The Wolf Pack (4-1, 4-1) got the W, but lost starting quarterback Devin Leary with a broken leg that will likely cost him the season.
NC State backup quarterback Bailey Hockman took over for Leary toward the end of third quarter and completed his first two passes, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Thayer Thomas pushed NC State’s lead to 28-20 on the first play of the fourth.
NC State’s defense came up with a pair of stops before an interception that led to a 39-yard field goal by Christopher Dunn that put the game away.
Hockman completed four of his seven pass attempts for 43 yards. Ricky Person Jr. led the Wolf Pack with 73 rushing yards on 14 carries.
Duke quarterback Chase Brice was 24-for-40 for 190 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Brice added 86 rushing yards, but lead back Deon Jackson was limited to just 34 yards on 20 carries.
Notre Dame beat Duke 27-13 on Sept. 12th.
The Irish don’t play NC State.
Wake Forest 40, Virginia 23: Running back Kenneth Walker III led the Demon Deacons (2-2, 1-2) to victory rushing for 128 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yarder and a nine-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman threw for 309 yards on 16 of 27 passing as Jaquarii Roberson led the receivers with seven catches for 126 yards.
Virginia (1-3, 1-3) played tough in the first half, leading to a 20-20 halftime score, but the Cavaliers were limited to a single field goal in the second half.
Notre Dame plays at Wake Forest on Dec. 12th.
The Irish do not play Virginia this year.
Liberty 38, Syracuse 21: The Orange (1-4, 1-2) lost the only ACC non-conference game of the week.
Taking over for injured Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito, Rex Culpepper completed 19 of 40 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Taj Harris led the Orange receivers with nine catches for 96 yards and a score while running back Sean Tucker rushed for 111 yards on 21 carries.
Liberty running back broke off scoring runs of 75 and 52 yards in the first half and the Flames outscored the Orange 17-7 in the second half to secure the victory.
Notre Dame hosts Syracuse on Dec. 5th.