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Week 8: Football Player of the Week

Week 8: Football Player of the Week



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CHARLOTTE, NC (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week were recognized based on their outstanding performances in Week 8 of the 2024 college football season. The selection is made by a vote of a selected media committee. This week’s award winners are:

QUARTERBACK – Cam Ward, Miami, QB, West Columbia, Texas

Ward threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ 52-45 win at Louisville, leading Miami to its first 7-0 start since 2017. Ward and the Hurricanes totaled 538 yards of offense and scored on seven of their first 10 drives . With the win, Ward became the first quarterback with seven consecutive 300-yard passing games in program history. This is the first time Miami has ever scored more than 50 points in four different games in a single season.

RUNNING BACK – Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech, RB, Paulsboro, New Jersey

Tuten recorded a Virginia Tech single-game record 266 rushing yards in a 42-21 win over Boston College. Tuten’s 266 rushing yards came on just 18 carries, an average of 14.8 yards per carry on the night. His 266 rushing yards were the most of any player this season against a Power 4 opponent, while also marking his first four-touchdown game of his career. Tuten has recorded 14 touchdowns this season, which marks the sixth-most touchdowns by a Virginia Tech player in a single season in program history.

RECEIVER – Samuel Brown Jr., Miami, WR, Savannah, Georgia

In Miami’s 52-45 win at Louisville, Brown Jr. had three catches for 125 yards and a receiving touchdown. His 49-yard touchdown reception gave the Hurricanes a two-score lead before he capped his day with a 59-yard catch, setting up Miami’s game-winning touchdown. Brown and the Hurricanes totaled 538 yards of offense and scored on seven of their first 10 drives against the Cardinals.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Xavier Chaplin, Virginia Tech, OT, Seabrook, South Carolina

Chaplin anchored a Virginia Tech offensive line that rushed for 368 yards in a 41-21 victory over Boston College. The tackle earned an 88.8 grade, including an 84.7 mark in run blocking, according to Pro Football Focus. He also achieved a pass blocking grade of 83.7. Chaplin didn’t allow a sack, pressure or quarterback rush in the Hokies’ win on Thursday night.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech, DL, Portsmouth, Virginia

In the Hokies’ victory over Boston College, Powell-Ryland became the first player in Virginia Tech history to record three games with four or more sacks in his career. He now has a nation-best 11.0 sacks this season, making him the first Hokie since 2005 to record double-digit sacks in a season. Powell-Ryland also recorded his third fumble recovery of the season and a quarterback rush against the Eagles. His 20.5 career sacks at Virginia Tech rank ninth in program history.

LINEBACKER – Ozzie Nicholas, Duke, LB, Encinitas, Calif

Nicholas finished with a team-leading nine tackles in the Blue Devils’ 23-16 win over Florida State. The linebacker also forced a fumble and had a 29-yard interception return in the win. Nicholas forced a fumble and intercepted a pass on consecutive offensive plays for Florida State, becoming the first Blue Devil since 2021 to record a forced fumble and interception in the same game. With the help of Nicholas and the defense, Duke became a bowl player in the second-fastest span in program history.

DEFENSIVE BACK – Chandler Rivers, Duke, CB, Beaumont, Texas

Rivers recorded a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown as Duke defeated Florida State 23-16. Rivers’ pick-six gave Duke a 7-3 lead and the Blue Devils didn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the game. Rivers helped Duke achieve bowl eligibility for the first time in four years between 2012 and 2015 and its third straight season with six or more wins.

SPECIALIST – Samuel Singleton Jr., Florida State, KR, Charleston, South Carolina

Singleton Jr. opened the second half of Florida State’s game at Duke with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Singleton was the only freshman from a Power 4 school to return a kickoff for the second time this season. He is the first Seminole freshman since 2013 to return a kick for a touchdown. His 165 kickoff return yards are the most by a rookie this season and the third-most of any FBS player.

ROOKIE – CJ Bailey, NC State, QB, Miami, Florida

Bailey led NC State to a one-point road win over Cal (24-23) by completing 25 of 36 pass attempts for 306 yards. The Wolfpack trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter before Bailey led the offense with scoring drives of 75 and 70 yards, completing NC State’s largest fourth-quarter comeback since 2012. The freshman quarterback threw two touchdowns without an interception against Cal’s defense, which ranks second nationally in interceptions.