Around the ACC: Week 4 Recap

Elon - 7 | Wake Forest - 49

Dang, is Wake Forest good now? The Demon Deacons finished up their non-conference schedule in style today as they stomped FCS Elon while piling up 600 yards of offense with nearly 50 points. Quarterback Jamie Newnan had another incredible game, passing for 351 yards and five touchdowns. Freshman tailback Kenneth Walker III was a good complement for him, getting the ball nine times on the ground for 91 yards and a touchdown. The Wake Forest defense held Elon to just 171 yards of total offense and just over three yards a play.

Wake Forest plays again Saturday at Boston College.

Western Michigan - 33 | Syracuse - 52

After a 20-point third quarter from Western Michigan, this game ended up being a little bit closer than it probably should have been, with the score being as close as 38-33. The Orange were able to fight away and pull out the victory though. Western Michigan actually outgained Syracuse 541 yards to 527. The Orange were able to win the turnover battle though en route to their victory. Quarterback Thomas DeVito was Mr. Do-it-All for the Orange, passing for 287 yards and four touchdowns and also adding 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Syracuse plays again Saturday against Holy Cross.

Boston College - 30 | Rutgers - 16

Speaking of games that were closer than they probably should have been, there was BC-Rutgers. Both teams traded the lead a few times, but Boston College was just able to outlast them. They won the game by relying on their running game and forcing a couple turnovers on defense, which is the most Boston College way to win a game. AJ Dillon ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and David Bailey and Anthony Brown added a combined 117 yards and two touchdowns.

Boston College plays again Saturday against Wake Forest.

UCF - 34 | Pittsburgh - 35

The streak is over. This loss for UCF is the first one they have suffered in the regular season since 2016. They also lost to LSU in their bowl game last season. UCF nearly pulled it out, but Kenny Pickett led an incredible drive towards the end of the fourth quarter to win the game for the Panthers. He passed for 224 yards and a touchdown, and he was also the recipient of the game-winning touchdown. The Pitt defense also played really well, forcing two turnovers against a potent UCF offense.

Pittsburgh plays again Saturday against Delaware.

Appalachian State - 34 | North Carolina - 31

Lol UNC. Y’all got beat by Ted Roof’s defense. #goacc

North Carolina plays again Saturday against Clemson.

Louisville - 24 | Florida State - 35

The Battle of ACC Atlantic Disappointments! Despite an injury to starting quarterback James Blackman, the Seminoles were able to pull out the victory. Back-up quarterback Alex Hornibrook played admirably in Blackman’s place, throwing 255 yards and two touchdowns while completing 75 percent of his passes. It was FSU’s defense that played really won this game, though. They held the Cardinals to less than 400 total yards, though a decent chunk of that was from this play where they FSU tipped it to Louisville for the touchdown. #goacc

Louisville is on bye this week. Florida State plays again Saturday against NC State.

Central Michigan - 12 | Miami - 17

Has Manny Diaz lost control of the Miami offense? The uhh vaunted Central Michigan defense is giving up about 390 yards and over 35 points per game. The Canes managed to get 287 yards and 17 points. Yikes. #goacc

Miami is on bye this week.

Old Dominion - 17 | Virginia - 28

It took a second-half shutout for Bronco Mendenhall and the Cavaliers to be Old Dominion. That’s enough to be a #goacc nominee for me. UVA was able to put together 221 yards of offense against the mighty Old Dominion defense. The Cavaliers were able to capitalize on the lone turnover of the game returning an attempted screen pass from Old Dominion back for a touchdown.

Virginia plays again this weekend at Notre Dame.

Ball State - 23 | NC State - 34

Is NC State going to be good this year or not? I don’t think they’ve decided yet. The Wolfpack had a little more trouble than they were wanting against Ball State. They were able to win with some good special teams play. The Wolfpack returned a punt for a touchdown and were also able to block a punt. The defense also took advantage and forced a key turnover to prevent Ball State from scoring to seal the game away.

NC State plays again this weekend at Florida State.

Charlotte - 10 | Clemson - 52

Trevor Lawrence threw less than 10 passes. Chase Brice came into the game in the second quarter, and the third string quarterback Taisunn Phommachanh came in during the third. All of this against the “most explosive team [Clemson] has played to this point.”

Clemson plays again this weekend at North Carolina.

#goacc Moment of the Week

Florida State gets the #goacc Moment of the Week from Week 2, though Georgia Tech gets an honorable mention. As for last week, thanks to Drew for covering me while I was out of town. Boston College gets the honor, and look at that. Another honorable mention for Georgia Tech for REDACTED. Anyway, let’s take a look at the nominees for this week!