The University of Virginia is done playing against teams from North Carolina for the season. That’s bad news for Cavaliers’ safety Quin Blanding.
The senior has earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week awards each of the last two weeks, both against teams from the state to his south.
After victimizing Duke to win the honor last week, Blanding repeated as Defensive Back of the Week following UVA’s 20-14 win at the University of North Carolina. Blanding had 10 tackles and a pass breakup as the Virginia secondary harassed UNC quarterback Brandon Harris into three interceptions and just 46 yards passing.
It’s the third weekly award in Blanding’s career. He also won on Nov. 2, 2015, following a game against Georgia Tech.
Boston College freshman running back AJ Dillon had a 272-yard day in an upset of Virginia Tech. The performance earned him part of two awards this week. Dillon was named co-Offensive Back of the Week, with Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey, who had 278 yards passing in a win over Clemson.
Dillon also won ACC Rookie of the Week, snapping the second-longest current Player of the Week drought in the conference. Dillon is the first Boston College player to win Rookie of the Week since Luke Kuechly, who won on Nov. 21, 2009, years before embarking on a successful career with the Panthers.
The longest award drought belongs to Wake Forest, who hasn’t had a player win ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week since Nov. 19, 2007.
Right tackle Chris Lindstrom, who paved the way for Dillon in Boston College’s win, earned Offensive Lineman of the Week. Syracuse’s Ervin Philips and Miami’s Darrell Langham shared Receiver of the Week honors. Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell won Defensive Lineman of the Week. Parris Bennett gave Syracuse three winners with a Linebacker of the Week award. Miami kicker Michael Badgley won Specialist of the Week.
Duke and UNC lost this weekend, and Wake Forest was on its bye week. NC State didn’t have a player honored either, meaning the four North Carolina teams were shut out in the ACC weekly awards for the first time since Sept. 6 of last season.
