Tech’s Mills honored by ACC

Georgia Tech’s Dedrick Mills was named the ACC’s rookie of the week on Monday.

Mills, a freshman, set career-highs in rushing yards (99) and all-purpose yards (108) in the Yellow Jackets’ 35-21 loss to Miami last week. He scored on runs 7- and 1-yard runs, and a 9-yard reception.

This is the second time Mills has been honored by the conference this season.

Mills is third among FBS freshmen in averaging 75 rushing yards per game. His seven rushing touchdowns lead all freshmen.

Georgia Tech (3-2, 1-2 ACC) will play at Pittsburgh (3-2, 0-1) on Saturday.

Here are the remaining weekly conference winners, directly from the conference:

OFFENSIVE BACK

Deshaun Watson, Clemson, Jr., QB

Watson completed 20-of-31 passes for 306 yards and five touchdowns to lead Clemson to a 42-36 win over No. 3 Louisville. He added 14 rushes for 91 yards for 397 yards of total offense. Watson became just the second FBS player to have at least 300 yards passing, five touchdown passes and 90 yards rushing against a top 25 team over the last four years (the other was former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd against Ohio State in the 2014 Orange Bowl).

-

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

Jay Guillermo, Clemson Sr.-r, C

Guillermo played all 62 offensive plays and graded 91 percent for the Tigers in the win over Louisville. He had three knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack. Guillermo made all the line calls and did not have a bad snap. He had a key block on Wayne Gallman’s 24-yard touchdown run that put Clemson up 14-7 in the second period. Guillermo was a big reason Clemson ran for 201 yards against a Louisville team that had allowed just 122 yards and 3.1 yards per rush entering the game.

-

RECEIVER

Ryan Switzer, North Carolina, Sr., WR

Switzer made 14 receptions for 158 yards in the 37-35 win at No. 12 Florida State. He has 30 catches over the last two weeks (16 last week vs. Pitt), which is an ACC record for most receptions in back-to-back games. ​It was his third consecutive game with more than 100 yards receiving and marked the eighth time he topped the century mark in his career.

-

DEFENSIVE LINE

Trent Harris, Miami, Jr, DL

Harris did a little bit of everything for the Hurricanes in their 35-21 victory over Georgia Tech as he tied a career high with 7.0 tackles, while his 6.0 solo tackles were a career high. Harris also posted career-high totals in sacks (2.0) and tackles for loss (3.0). In addition, Harris’ first career forced fumble led to a scoop and score by linebacker Shaquille Quarterman.

-

LINEBACKER

Ben Boulware, Clemson, Sr., WLB

Boulware had a career high 18 tackles to lead the Clemson defense in the win over Louisville. The senior had three tackles for loss, including a sack, recovered a fumble and deflected a pass in the solid all-around effort. Eight of Boulware’s tackles were solo stops.

-

DEFENSIVE BACK

Juan Thornhill, Virginia, So., CB

Thornhill had two interceptions to help Virginia to a 34-20 win at Duke. He also had four tackles and broke up another pass. Thornhill was part of a defensive unit that forced six turnovers and tied the school record with five interceptions.

-

SPECIALIST

Nick Weiler, North Carolina, Sr., PK

Weiler booted a career-long 54-yard field goal as time expired to lift North Carolina to a 37-35 win at No. 12 Florida State. Weiler’s 54-yard field goal equaled the second-longest in UNC history and gave the Tar Heels a win over their highest ranked opponent since knocking off No. 12 Miami in 2009. It marked the highest ranked team North Carolina had beaten on the road since a win at No. 9 Syracuse in 1996.