The “ACC Fab Five” became the “Fab Four” this week as the league hosted only four games, which were conference matchups.
Clemson and North Carolina look like they are on a collision course for the ACC Championship matchup on Dec. 3. Syracuse is undefeated as well, but the Orange travels to Clemson. Miami is one game behind the Tar Heels in the Coastal Division, but North Carolina edged the Hurricanes and the Heels hold a one-game lead in the loss column.
These matchups were the only games involving ACC teams on October 15.
Clemson 34, @Florida State 28 – The Seminoles took a 14-7 lead on the first play of the second quarter when D.J. Lundy scored on a 1-yard run.
However, the Florida State defense fell apart as Clemson scored 27 points on its next five drives to roll up a 34-14 lead behind two touchdown passes and a 5-yard TD run by quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.
Clemson had to hold off a late FSU rally as quarterback Jordan Travis hit Ja’Khi Douglas on a 6-yard touchdown pass and then capped a seven-play, 94-yard drive with a 25-yard shot to Kentron Poitier with 2:17 left in the game.
The Tigers continue their domination of the ACC as they have won 13 consecutive games and opened the season at 7-0 for the 10th time in Clemson history. Seven of those have been orchestrated since 2011.
“You have got to give credit to Clemson,” said Florida State coach Mike Norvell. “They had 100 percent ball security. We had one turnover and had some drives that stalled out on fourth downs. There were some missed opportunities on both sides.”
@North Carolina 38, Duke 35 – Tar Heels football has turned into a series of outstanding performances by freshman quarterback Drake Maye.
He hit Antoine Green with an 8-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds left as North Carolina passed Duke, 38-35, in Durham.
Maye has been one of the top stories in college football each week this season. On Saturday evening, he completed 28 of 38 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns to keep the Tar Heels atop the ACC’s Coastal Division.
The two teams changed leads seven times after Duke had a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on a 20 -yard touchdown pass from Riley Leonard to Sahmir Haggins and a 38-yard yard touchdown run by Jordan Waters. Duke took a 35-31 lead with 10:12 remaining in the game.
The two teams combined for 1,078 total yards, while Duke rushed for 297 yards on 42 carries and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.
“Good teams win on the road and good teams win close games,” explained North Carolina head coach Mack Brown. “We’ve been able to do that this year.”
@Syracuse 24, NC State 9 – Defensively, the Orange took advantage of missing NC State quarterback Devin Leary as Syracuse moved to 6-0 with a matchup at No. 5 Clemson on Saturday.
The ‘Cuse used a balanced offensive attack when by picking up 210 yards passing from quarterback Garrett Shrader as he also picked up 81 yards on 16 carries. Running back Sean Tucker led the Orange rushing attack with 98 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Shrader popped a pair of touchdown passes of 12 and 17 yards to Oronde Gadsden, II, and Tucker scored on a 24-yard run in the fourth quarter.
NCSU could only find three field goals from Christopher Dunn as the Orange held them to just 255 total yards without Leary on the field.
“That game was physical on both sides,” said Syracuse head coach Dino Babers. “That defense is a top-three defense in the ACC and I’m putting us in the top three.”
Miami 20, @Virginia Tech 14 – New Miami head coach Mario Cristobal saw another stellar outing from quarterback Trevor Van Dyke, but the Hurricanes had to hold off a Hokies’ rally in their 20-14 win.
Van Dyke completed 29 of 46 passes for 351 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but the Hurricanes couldn’t put any other points on the board as a pair of Virginia Tech touchdowns combined with Miami’s offensive miscues made this game look much closer than it was. The ‘Canes rolled up 458 total yards and the defense held Tech to only 257 yards with QB Grant Wells sacked six times.
It was the eighth time in his 15 starts that Van Dyke has thrown for over 300 yards.
The Hurricanes are struggling with injuries as they were down five starters in this game which snapped a three-game losing streak after a 2-0 start on the season.
Miami was without its top three wide receivers and three offensive linemen, as well as its top two tight ends.
Cristobal was particularly happy with the way his players were able to overcome the injuries and how they focused on game preparation. He also credited his team for winning on the road with so much attrition.
“He’s playing at a really high level,” said Cristobal of Van Dyke’s quarterback play. “His preparation has definitely gone to a new level and it carries over and affects people.”
