ACC Rewind | Dual-threat QB beats NC State
When it comes to the University of Louisville's ongoing quarterback controversy, perhaps Reggie Bonnafon has a leg to stand on given how Boston College upended NC State, the Cardinals' next foe.
Dual-threat Eagles quarterback Tyler Murphy, formerly of Florida, shredded the Wolfpack for 132 yards rushing and a pair of scores in a 30-14 victory Saturday.
At the top of the ACC standings, Florida State won to keep a hold on the Atlantic Division, and Virginia was off, maintaining its Coastal Division edge. Take a look around the rest of the league:
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1. Florida State (6-0, 4-0) — The Seminoles are expected to retain quarterback Jameis Winston as he continues dealing with off-the-field issues, in particular an on-campus hearing he must schedule soon. Winston went 30 of 36 with three touchdowns Saturday in leading FSU over Syracuse, 38-20. (http://on.tdo.com/ZlqmQw)
2. Clemson (4-2, 3-1) — The Clemson side of Saturday's 23-17 win over the University of Louisville was about the emergence of Cole Stoudt as the Tigers' only option at quarterback. Deshaun Watson, the true freshman starter, broke his finger. (http://grnol.co/11alm2y)
3. Louisville (5-2, 3-2) — Meanwhile, with the Cardinals unable to execute late in the red zone, their top option for such a situation is nearing his return. DeVante Parker warmed up some at Clemson but sat due to lingering foot soreness. (http://cjky.it/1vVAIT9)
4. Boston College (4-2, 1-1) — On top of Murphy's performance in a 30-14 win over NC State, the Eagles measured 310 rushing yards to the Wolfpack's 43. (http://bit.ly/1uZeobR)
5. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2) — The Orange trailed by as many as 25 points Saturday before posting a respectable, 38-20 loss to top-ranked Florida State. The Orange's Terrel Hunt was already out at quarterback, and they lost backup Austin Wilson due to a head injury. But freshman AJ Long helped rally Syracuse off the bench. (http://bit.ly/1wn2M0y)
6. Wake Forest (2-4, 0-2) — Off this week, the Deacons made little news but did post a Q&A with senior running back Orville Reynoles, in which he says, "Football is all I know how to do. It's why I wake up." (http://bit.ly/1st1oKO)
7. NC State (4-3, 0-3) — When the Wolfpack visits Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, they'll be trying to snap an 11-game ACC losing streak, with a home loss to Boston College the latest defeat. Coach Dave Doeren said afterward, "It's a challenge every day building this program." (http://bit.ly/1s7iDjg)
COASTAL DIVISION
1. Virginia (4-2, 2-0) — The 'Hoos took a week off, and six games into the season, Charlottesville Daily Progress writer Andrew Ramspacher offered a mid-year report. A lingering storyline is the return of quarterback Greyson Lambert, who helped Virginia beat U of L but went down with an injured ankle the next week out. (http://bit.ly/1nigkuC)
2. Georgia Tech (5-1, 2-1) — A week after the Yellow Jackets entered the Top 25, they dropped their first game of the season in a 31-25 loss to Duke riddled with penalties and turnovers. Coach Paul Johnson said, simply, "We've got to play clean games." (http://on-ajc.com/1s7juAm)
3. Duke (5-1, 1-1) — The Blue Devils exorcised some demons in Atlanta, nabbing their first victory there since 1994 and first win over Georgia Tech regardless of location since 2003. "We kept that chip on our shoulder," said Duke safety Deondre Singleton. (http://bit.ly/1ELqjOS)
4. Virginia Tech (4-2, 1-1) — The Hokies' overall record at this point in the season was expected. "But not in this fashion," wrote Roanoke.com's Andy Bitter in another midseason report, with Virginia Tech off this week as well. (http://bit.ly/1yq1tT7)
5. Pittsburgh (3-3, 1-1) — The Panthers concentrated on improving their offensive line during a bye week. "We're 3-3; we're average," line coach Jim Hueber said Thursday. "That's it. … Just like the team, we're average. We're not making stuff happen enough times." (http://bit.ly/1ssseTt)
6. Miami (4-3, 1-2) — The Hurricanes tackled an old U of L conference foe Saturday, racking up 621 yards of total offense in a 55-34 rout of Cincinnati. Bearcats coach Tommy Tuberville, a former Miami assistant, stole headlines afterward when he said, "We look like the Bad News Bears." (http://hrld.us/1ELrjCp)
7. North Carolina (2-4, 0-2) — The Tar Heels tested No. 5 Notre Dame, contributing to a Notre Dame Stadium-record 93 points — and the facility opened in 1930 — before UNC fell 50-43. (http://bit.ly/1xGPugL)
Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner .