ACC Players of the Week: Week 14

Miami dominated the Panthers with a score of 38-7 and Toney played a huge part in the Miami offense picking up against a tough Pitt team. Toney had 18 touches with 156 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. To cap off an impressive performance he also passed for a TD. The freshman phenom has played a huge part in this Miami offense in his arrival and ended the regular season with a bang.  His quickness makes him a fast and easy target for Miami QB Carson Beck. His role is a good yards-after-catch receiver who can make an impact on quick screen passes and jet sweeps. This week he picked apart the Pitt defense with many first down pickups. Toney’s development can become an issue for the ACC if he stays at the Hurricanes.

Safety Ricardo Jones, Clemson

Jones helped add a little bit of good to what has been such a disappointing season for the Tigers. The Tigers faced off against the South Carolina Gamecocks (4-8, 1-7 SEC) in Columbia, S.C. in a heated rivalry matchup. Outside of some big plays made by the Gamecocks’ receivers, Clemson dominated this game. With a shutout in the second half Clemson’s defense performed exceptionally.

Jones had an impressive game to close the regular season with two INTs—one returned for a game sealing touchdown. Jones started the game off slow with the Clemson defensive line showing out and the offense starting slow. However, the Gamecocks drove down to the Clemson 18-yard line and looked like they might take the lead only being down by six points at that time. Trying to take the lead USC QB LaNorris Sellars lobbed it up in the end zone and Jones came down with the controversial INT. The call on the field was an INT, but it went under official review as the Gamecocks sideline said the ball hit the ground before Jones had possession. The review booth came to the decision that he caught, and Clemson earned possession back.

The Clemson offense had yet to pick up going into the fourth quarter and they punted yet again, and the South Carolina offense got another chance to take the lead. On the first play of the drive the ball was tipped and Jones took it 12 yards to get Clemson in the end zone for the only time in the second half. Jones’ impressive plays kept Clemson in this game and ultimately sealed off the Clemson regular season with a victory.

Final Thoughts

Jones’ great performance helps morale for the Tigers as they await the bowl season, and Toney diced up a struggling Pitt defense to keep Miami’s postseason hopes alive. Jones is only a sophomore so he may have more time at Clemson so look out for him to be a star for the Tigers with many of his teammates entering the draft. Looking deeper into the Hurricanes they might be the only hope for an ACC team in the playoff as Duke might win the ACC Championship. If Miami does make the playoff, watch Toney as he is becoming a superstar.