When it comes to ACC football, it’s best to expect the unexpected. The Coastal is a mess, with just two games separating first and last place. And Louisville, a team coming into this season with little to no expectations, has beaten the conference’s second and third best teams in Wake Forest and Virginia. Here’s what went down in Week 9 of the ACC:
Clemson Rolls Boston College to Stay Unbeaten
The Tigers moved to 8-0 on Saturday night with a blowout win over the Eagles, 59-7. Trevor Lawrence had one of his best games of the year with 275 yards and 3 touchdowns on 16/19 passing. Travis Etienne proved why he’s one of the top running backs in the country with 109 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory.
Boston College’s stud running back AJ Dillon ran for 76 yards and a score, and broke the school’s all-time rushing record as well. Dennis Grosel made his second start since Anthony Brown went down with an injury, and had a tough day at the office against Brent Venables’ defense. Grosel completed just 3/14 passes for 53 yards as BC’s offense generated a mere 10 first downs compared to Clemson’s 36. Up next for both squads: BC at Syracuse (11/2); Clemson vs Wofford (11/2)
Louisville Now One Win Away from Bowl Eligibility
Scott Satterfield has the Louisville football program rolling right now. Sitting at 5-3, the Cardinals need just one win in their final four games to go bowling. In those three losses, they were competitive vs Notre Dame, had a lead late at Florida State and gave Clemson their second-toughest game of the season, thus far. On Saturday, the Louisville defense stole the show, especially in the second half, applying pressure to Bryce Perkins early and often. Perkins threw the ball 41 times for 233 yards, including a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked four times.
Micale Cunningham threw for 126 yards on 6/10 passing and a touchdown, and ran for 97 more yards and another touchdown. Freshman running back Javian Hawkins continues to impress, this time rushing for 136 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinal offense rushed for 227 yards, the most the Cavaliers have allowed all year. Louisville is off this week while UVA travels to Chapel Hill vs UNC.
Hurricanes, Tar Heels Survive
Whatever is expected of Manny Diaz and Miami, expect the exact opposite. After a horrendous loss at home vs Georgia Tech a week prior, the Hurricanes went to Pittsburgh and escaped with a 16-12 road win. Jarren Williams came in for an injured N’Kosi Perry, and threw the game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass to KJ Osborn with 58 seconds left. The Panthers’ offense struggled mightily, turning the ball over three times; however, they out-gained the Hurricanes by 100+ yards in the loss. Miami travels to Tallahassee next with Pittsburgh taking on the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta.
The Tar Heels somehow managed to hang on and beat arch-rival Duke after a questionable call by the Blue Devils at the goal line. Trailing by three points with just 18 seconds left at the UNC 3-yard line, RB Deon Jackson’s Tim Tebow-esque jump pass was intercepted, ending Duke’s comeback chances. QB Sam Howell had his up’s and down’s, throwing two touchdowns, two interceptions and 227 yards on 10/16 passing. North Carolina plays host to Virginia, while Duke has a bye week.