Tar Heels co-lead ACC weekly honors

Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network

Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network
Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina Tar Heels, along with the Florida State Seminoles, led the way with two honorees apiece as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) announced the Football Players of the Week, as selected by a 14-member media panel, on Monday.

North Carolina’s Landon Turner was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week following the Tar Heels’ 48-14 win over Illinois, while teammate Ryan Switzer was named the ACC Specialist of the Week for his record-setting effort on punt returns.

Turner, a six-foot-four-inch, 325-pound offensive guard earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades for the second time this season following his performance in the Tar Heels’ 48-14 victory over visiting Illinois on Saturday.

He recorded 11 knockdown blocks, and graded out at 90 percent – his third straight game at 90 percent or better.

Turner led an offensive line that did not allow a sack and helped UNC post 471 total yards, including 254 on the ground, while the Tar Heels averaged 6.9 yards per carry.

Switzer, the shifty five-foot-10-inch, 185-pound wide receiver returned five punts for a total of 168 yards in the win over Illinois.

His performance broke a 64-year-old UNC single-game record previously held by Bud Carson, who had 166 yards on eight returns against NC State in 1951.

In addition to an 85-yard return for a touchdown, Switzer had a 71-yarder that set up a UNC field goal.

With his sixth career punt return for a touchdown, Switzer tied the ACC record and extended his own UNC school record.

Highlights – ACC Players of the Week – TheACC.com

Others recognized

Florida State’s Terrance Smith was also cited as the ACC Linebacker of the Week for his play in Friday night’s 14-0 conference road win at Boston College, while the Seminoles’ Jalen Ramsey earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors for the second week in a row.

Also recognized were Miami sophomore Brad Kaaya (Offensive Back of the Week), Pitt junior Tyler Boyd (Receiver of the Week), Boston College sophomore Harold Landry (Defensive Lineman of the Week) and Wake Forest freshman Kendall Hinton (Rookie of the Week).