N.C. State's Wilson among ACC Players of the Week

N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson and Boston College middle linebacker Luke Kuechly headlined a list of seven players honored today as the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week.

Wilson was responsible for all four of the Wolfpack’s touchdowns, including a career-high three rushing TDs, as N.C. State rallied Thursday night from a 14-point deficit to defeat Florida State, 28-24. It's the third time this season that Wilson has been named the ACC's offensive back of the week.

A pair of Duke players, tight end Cooper Helfet and place kicker Will Snyderwine also drew top league honors this week.

The complete list:


OFFENSIVE BACK – Russell Wilson, NC State, QB, r-Jr.


Wilson completed 18 of 28 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 17 times for 69 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson's three rushing touchdowns were the most by an NC State quarterback since Preston Poag rushed for three scores against Western Carolina on Sept. 3, 1988.



OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Cooper Helfet, Duke, TE, Jr.


In Duke’s 34-31 win, Helfet caught a season-best and team-high seven passes for a season-high 69 yards. Four of his seven receptions produced 1st downs. He also recovered a Navy onsides kick attempt at the 2:34 mark of the fourth quarter to help preserve the victory.



DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Luke Kuechly, Boston College, MLB, So.


Kuechly recorded 14 tackles and extended his nation-leading streak to 17 games with 10 or more tackles, while also contributing a late-game interception, as Boston College topped Clemson, 16-10.


CO-DEFENSIVE BACK – Chase Minnifield, Virginia, CB, Jr.


Minnifield had two interceptions and four tackles in UVa's 24-19 upset of Miami at Scott Stadium. He teamed with safety Corey Mosley to help the Cavaliers tie the school record with five interceptions during the game.


CO-DEFENSIVE BACK – Corey Mosley, Virginia, S, Jr.


Mosley tallied two interceptions and recorded four tackles as UVa upset Miami, 24-19.



SPECIALIST – Will Snyderwine, Duke, K, r-Jr.


Snyderwine scored 10 points on two field goals and four PATs as Duke defeated Navy, 34-31. He was 2-of-2 on field goals (30 & 40 yards) and 4-of-4 on PATs. His 40-yard field goal at the 8:34 mark of the 4th period proved to be the winning margin in the three-point victory, and he has now made 11 consecutive field goals.


ROOKIE – Danny O’Brien, Maryland, QB, r-Fr.,


O’Brien passed for a career-high four touchdown passes in Maryland’s 62-14 win over the Wake Forest. The redshirt freshman from Kernersville, N.C., has seven touchdowns and no interceptions over the last two games.

His 4.33-to-1 TD to interception ratio is tops in the FBS among freshmen, and despite not starting the first three games of the season, his 13 TD passes are tied for second in the country among freshmen.