2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season

August 2023 2008 ACC football season #193980 #ffffff NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football 150px August 28, 2008 – January 1, 2009 12 Regular season Virginia Tech Tyrod Taylor Atlantic ACC Atlantic Division Boston College Coastal ACC Coastal Division Virginia Tech ACC Championship Game 2008 ACC Championship Game Virginia Tech Boston College List of ACC football seasons ACC 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference football season 2007 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference football season 2009 The 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season was the 56th season that the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) participated in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football. As a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) conference, the ACC's constituent members competed within the framework of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The media widely recognized the 2008 season as one of the most chaotic in the conference's history.Strelow, Paul. "ACC is a BCS mess" https://web.archive.org/web/20090317022646/http://www.thestate.com/181/story/597237.html 2009-03-17 , The State. November 21, 2008. Accessed November 28, 2008.Latter, Sam. "ACC faces confusing playoff fight", The (Hanover) Evening Sun. November 21, 2008. Accessed November 28, 2008. Archived 2009-05-21. At season's end, the ACC fielded an NCAA-record of ten bowl eligible teams from its twelve conference members. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/24/AR2008102403767.html January 17, 2009 The Washington Post Eric Prisbell Work of Art? October 25, 2008NCAA-Record 10 ACC Teams Head to Bowls, Atlantic Coast Conference, December 7, 2008, retrieved January 21, 2009. Archived 2009-05-21. Virginia Tech secured its second consecutive conference championship when it won the 2008 ACC Championship Game against Boston College. Likewise, it was the second consecutive season that Boston College finished as the conference runner-up. Virginia Tech went on to represent the conference in its BCS game, the 2008 Orange Bowl, and, with a victory over Cincinnati, ended the ACC's eight-year BCS game slump.Virginia Tech earns ACC's first BCS victory since' 99, ESPN, January 1, 2009. Statistical leaders PassingPlayerSchoolCompAttYdsTDsIntRatRussell WilsonN.C. State1502751,955171133.9Cullen HarperClemson2213602,6011714126.2Riley SkinnerWake Forest2323632,347137126.2Thaddeus LewisDuke2243612,171156123.0Chris TurnerMaryland2143742,5161311119.3 RushingPlayerSchoolAttYdsAvgTDsJonathan DwyerGeorgia Tech2001,3957.012Da'Rel ScottMaryland2091,1335.48Darren EvansVirginia Tech2871,2654.411Cedric PeermanVirginia1537745.17Montel HarrisBoston College1799005.05 ReceivingPlayerSchoolRecYDsAvgTDsHakeem NicksNorth Carolina681,22218.012DJ BoldinWake Forest8184810.53Kevin OgletreeVirginia5872312.55Aaron KellyClemson6772210.84Jacoby FordClemson5571012.94 TacklesPlayerSchoolSoloAsstTotalMichael TauiliiliDuke6377140Alex WujciakMaryland5677133Quan SturdivantNorth Carolina8735122Mark HerzlichBoston College8129110Vincent ReyDuke6148109 SacksPlayerSchoolSoloAsstYdsEverette BrownFlorida State13197Clint SintimVirginia9486Michael JohnsonGeorgia Tech8285Jason WorildsVirginia Tech8285B. J. RajiBoston College7148 InterceptionsPlayerSchoolIntYdsTDsTrimane GoddardNorth Carolina71561Paul AndersonBoston College61491Macho HarrisVirginia Tech61422Mark HerzlichBoston College61212Michael HamlinClemson61110 Noteworthy games East Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 22: Virginia Tech is defeated in its season-opener against Conference USA's ECU, which defeats a ranked opponent for a second consecutive game. East Carolina clinched the game after returning a blocked punt for a touchdown, and beat Virginia Tech at its own game of special teams-oriented "Beamer Ball."East Carolina turns back Virginia Tech with punt block for a TD, ESPN, August 30, 2008. Wake Forest 30, Mississippi 28: With three seconds remaining, Wake Forest placekicker Sam Swank makes a field goal to clinch the victory. The win was Wake Forest's 400th in school history.Wake Forest edges Ole Miss with field goal in final seconds, ESPN, September 6, 2008. Middle Tennessee 24, Maryland 14: The Sun Belt Conference's Middle Tennessee records it first-ever victory over an ACC team. It was just their fourth win against a BCS conference opponent, with the previous three all being against Vanderbilt.Craddock, Middle Tennessee surprise Maryland, ESPN, September 6, 2008. Boston College 34, Central Florida 7: In the first quarter, Boston College quarterback Chris Crane was booed off the field by the home crowd and replaced by back-up Dominique Davis. Crane, however, returns on the next series and leads Boston College to a rout over UCF.https://archive.today/20120718080021/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640103 Cranes turns it around in second half as BC rolls, ESPN, September 20, 2008. Duke 31, Virginia 3: With its first conference win since 2004, Duke ended a 25-game losing streak in ACC play. After a stalemate, 3–3, at halftime, Virginia quarterback Marc Verica threw four interceptions in the second half.Duke capitalizes on five second-half turnovers in rout, ESPN, September 27, 2008. Boston College 38, N.C. State 31: With 23 seconds remaining, Boston College quarterback Chris Crane scored on a 13-yard quarterback keeper for the go-ahead.https://archive.today/20120708002830/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282780152&confId=1 Crane scores touchdown in final minutes as BC edges NC State, ESPN, October 4, 2008. Florida State 39, Colorado 21: Bobby Bowden coached Florida State to defeat Colorado in his 500th game as a head coach.Bowden gets Florida State past Colorado in 500th game, ESPN, September 27, 2008. Boston College 38, N.C. State 31: With 22.8 seconds remaining, Boston College quarterback Chris Crane scores the go-ahead on a quarterback keeper.Crane scores touchdown in final minutes as BC edges NC State, ESPN, October 4, 2008. Florida State 41, Miami 39: A total 80 combined points were the most points ever scored in the state rivalry.https://archive.today/20120714135559/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282782390 FSU dumps Miami behind Smith's career-best four touchdowns, ESPN, October 4, 2008. Boston College 28, Virginia Tech 23: Boston College, the only ACC team to have beaten Virginia Tech on the road since the Hokies joined the conference, did it a second time.QB Crane struggles, but Boston College beats Va. Tech behind stingy defense, October 11, 2008. Maryland 27, N.C. State 24: With six seconds remaining, Maryland placekicker Obi Egekeze makes a field goal to clinch the victory.https://archive.today/20120717060003/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990120 Egekeze's field goal with 6 seconds remaining lifts Terps, ESPN, October 28, 2008. Clemson 27, Boston College 21: Clemson's C. J. Spiller caught six receptions, a school record for a running back. Dabo Swinney recorded his first win as Clemson head coach.RB Spillers sets receiving record as Clemson interim coach Swinney gets first win, ESPN, November 1, 2008. Virginia 24, Georgia Tech 17: After an abysmal 1–3 start to the season, Virginia beat Georgia Tech to temporarily assume first-place in the Coastal Division.Peerman carries load as Virginia continues hot streak, ESPN, October 25, 2008. Georgia Tech 31, Florida State 28: With 45 seconds remaining, Georgia Tech safety Cooper Taylor forced a Florida State fumble in the endzone to prevent an almost certain winning touchdown.Georgia Tech snaps 0-12 skid against Florida State, ESPN, November 1, 2008. Wake Forest 33, Duke 30: Wake Forest's back-up placekicker, Shane Popham, filled in for Sam Swank and kicked a field goal in overtime for the win.Popham hits 28-yard field goal in OT to propel Wake Forest past Duke, ESPN, November 1, 2008. Florida State 41, Clemson 27: Florida State attained bowl eligibility for the 27th consecutive season on Bobby Bowden's 79th birthday.FSU bowl eligible for 27th straight season on Bowden's birthday, ESPN, November 8, 2008. Boston College 17, Notre Dame 0: Boston College recorded the first shut-out on either side of the 18-game series against Notre Dame.Anderson helps Boston College extend streak to six over Irish, ESPN, November 8, 2008. Clemson 31, Duke 7: Clemson receiver Aaron Kelly caught ten passes and surpassed the all-time ACC record for career receptions with 217.Clemson lights up Duke as Kelly sets ACC mark for receptions, ESPN, November 15, 2008. Maryland 17, North Carolina 15: With 1:42 remaining, a Maryland field goal edged 16th-ranked North Carolina for the Terrapins' fourth win over a ranked opponent in 2008. Only Oklahoma and Florida, the two teams in the BCS Championship Game, exceeded the feat. https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/maryland.htm December 31, 2008 USA Today Maryland - Team Notes N.C. State 41, North Carolina 10: By routing 21st-ranked North Carolina, N.C. State completes its run of the table on the Tobacco Road with wins over all four other FBS teams in the state.https://archive.today/20120708185418/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270153&confId=1 QB Wilson key as NC State easily upends No. 22 UNC, ESPN, November 22, 2008. Boston College 24, Wake Forest 21: Boston College back-up quarterback Dominique Davis replaced an injured Chris Crane in the second quarter. With 1:12 remaining in the game, Davis scored a touchdown and kept Boston College in contention for a spot in the conference title game.BC sneaks past Wake Forest in final minutes to keep ACC title hopes alive, ESPN, November 22, 2008. Virginia Tech 17, Virginia 14: A fourth quarter field goal allowed Virginia Tech to edge Virginia in the Commonwealth Cup. The win ensured the Hokies a berth in the ACC Championship Game.Virginia Tech edges Virginia for spot in ACC championship game, ESPN, November 29, 2008. Clemson 31, South Carolina 14: Clemson secured its tenth win in the last twelve games of the intrastate rivalry.https://archive.today/20120711003611/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340228&confId=1 Davis' 3 TDs help Clemson drop South Carolina for 6th time in 7 games, ESPN, November 29, 2008. Georgia Tech 45, Georgia 42: Having trailed by 16 points at halftime, Georgia Tech outrushed Georgia 201 yards to one in the second half. It was Georgia Tech's first win in the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry since 1999.Ga. Tech overcomes 16-point halftime deficit, snaps 7-game skid to Georgia, ESPN, November 29, 2008. Boston College 28, Maryland 21: Holder Billy Flutie, nephew of Doug Flutie, executed a pass during a fake field-goal attempt which proved to be the margin of victory in the game that clinched Boston College's trip to the ACC Championship Game.Another Flutie makes key play to carry BC into ACC championship, ESPN, November 29, 2008. N.C. State 38, Miami 28: Quarterback Russell Wilson led N.C State from a 2–6 season start to bowl eligibility with its win over Miami.Wilson key as NC State rebounds from 2-6 start to earn bowl eligibility, ESPN, November 29, 2008. Florida 45, Florida State 15: Florida of the Southeastern Conference extends its winning streak to five in the rivalry.https://archive.today/20120708003911/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340052 Florida wins 8th straight while continuing dominance in intrastate rivalry, ESPN, November 29, 2008. Awards National awards Dick Butkus Award (linebacker): Aaron Curry, Wake Forest Lou Groza Award (placekicker): Graham Gano, Florida State Conference awards Awards selected by ACSMA (Atlantic Coast sports media association) Coach of the Year: Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech Player of the Year: Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech Offensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech Defensive Player of the Year: Mark Herzlich, Boston College Rookie of the Year: Russell Wilson, N.C. State Jim Tatum Award (outstanding senior): Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech Brian Piccolo Award (overcoming adversity): Robert Quinn, North Carolina Jacobs Blocking Award (outstanding blocker): Eugene Monroe, Virginia Honors All-conference teams Postseason awards are selected by the Atlantic Coast sports media association by votes Offense First teamSecond teamPos.SelectionSchoolVotesPos.SelectionSchoolVotes QB Russell Wilson NC State 106 QB Thaddeus Lewis Duke 28 RB Jonathan Dwyer Georgia Tech 134 RB Darren Evans Virginia Tech 58 RB Da'Rel Scott Maryland 76 RB C. J. Spiller Clemson 50 WR Hakeem Nicks North Carolina 130 WR Eron Riley Duke 57 WR DJ Boldin Wake Forest 76 WR Aaron Kelly Clemson 56 TE John Phillips Virginia 88 TE Ryan Purvis Boston College 45 OT Eugene Monroe Virginia 117 OT Garrett Reynolds North Carolina 42 OT Andrew Gardner Georgia Tech 107 OT Anthony Castonzo Boston College 41 OG Rodney Hudson Florida State 99 OG Sergio Render Virginia Tech 48 OG Cliff Ramsey Boston College 78 OG Cordaro Howard Georgia Tech 45 C Edwin Williams Maryland 62 C Thomas Austin Clemson 48 Defense First teamSecond teamPos.SelectionSchoolVotesPos.SelectionSchoolVotes DEEverette Brown Florida State 131 DE Orion Martin Virginia Tech 61DE Michael Johnson Georgia Tech 99 DE Jason Worilds Virginia Tech 39DT B. J. Raji Boston College 103 DT Ron Brace Boston College 52DT Vance Walker Georgia Tech 62 DT Darryl Richard Georgia Tech 50LB Mark Herzlich Boston College 118 LB Clint Sintim Virginia 79LB Michael Tauiliili Duke 110 LB Alex Wujciak Maryland 43LB Aaron Curry Wake Forest 106 LB Mark Paschal North Carolina 40CB Alphonso Smith Wake Forest 134 CB Ras-I Dowling Virginia 49CB Victor Harris Virginia Tech 125 CB Kendric Burney North Carolina 34S Trimane Goddard North Carolina 105 S Morgan Burnett Georgia Tech 85S Michael Hamlin Clemson 89 S Myron Rolle Florida State 55 Special teams First teamSecond teamPos.SelectionSchoolVotesPos.SelectionSchoolVotes K Graham Gano Florida State 127 K Matt Bosher Miami 34 P Travis Baltz Maryland 105 P Matt Bosher Miami 60 SP C. J. Spiller Clemson 66 SP Michael Ray Garvin Florida State 41 Source:Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association Announces 2008 All-ACC Football Teams, The Atlantic Coast Conference, December 1, 2008. Accessed 2009-03-22. Archived 2009-05-21. ACC players in the NFL draft In the 2009 NFL draft, 32 former ACC players were selected. The ACC was second only to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which had 37 former players selected. The Big 12 and Big Ten each had 28 and the Big East had 27 former players selected. Of the ACC schools, Maryland and North Carolina tied for most former players selected at five. Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Virginia each had four former players selected.Draft picks by school, conferenceAugust 2026 medicmedic, The Baltimore Sun, April 27, 2009.ACC Again Scores Big At 2009 NFL Draft https://web.archive.org/web/20120307215609/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042609aan.html 2012-03-07 , Atlantic Coast Conference, April 26, 2009. #ConferencePlayersselected1 SEC 372 ACC 323 Big 12 283 Big Ten 285 Big East 276 Pac-10 237 MWC 168 C-USA 108 MAC 108 WAC 10– All others 24 PlayerPositionSchoolPickRoundTeam Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest 4 1 Seattle Seahawks Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland 7 1 Oakland Raiders Eugene Monroe OT Virginia 8 1 Jacksonville Jaguars B. J. Raji DT Boston College 9 1 Green Bay Packers Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina 29 1 New York Giants Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest 37 2 Denver Broncos Ron Brace DT Boston College 40 2 New England Patriots Everette Brown DE Florida State 43 2 Carolina Panthers Clint Sintim OLB Virginia 45 2 New York Giants Richard Quinn TE North Carolina 64 2 Denver Broncos Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech 70 3 Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Barnes CB Maryland 80 3 Washington Redskins Brandon Tate North Carolina 83 3 New England Patriots Dorell Scott Clemson 103 4 St. Louis Rams Chip Vaughn Wake Forest 116 4 New Orleans Saints Stanley Arnoux Wake Forest 118 4 New Orleans Saints Anthony Hill NC State 122 4 Houston Texans Andre Brown NC State 129 4 New York Giants Garrett Reynolds North Carolina 156 5 Atlanta Falcons Victor Harris Virginia Tech 157 5 Philadelphia Eagles Brooks Foster North Carolina 160 5 St. Louis Rams Chris Clemons Clemson 165 5 Miami Dolphins Michael Hamlin Clemson 166 5 Dallas Cowboys Spencer Adkins Miami 176 6 Atlanta Falcons Andrew Gardner Georgia Tech 181 6 Miami Dolphins Cedric Peerman Virginia 185 6 Baltimore Ravens James Davis Clemson 195 6 Cleveland Browns John Phillips Virginia 208 6 Dallas Cowboys Vance Walker Georgia Tech 210 7 Atlanta Falcons Moise Fokou Maryland 230 7 Philadelphia Eagles Darryl Richard Georgia Tech 234 7 New England Patriots Jaimie Thomas Maryland 236 7 Indianapolis Colts Dan Gronkowski TE Maryland 255 7 Detroit Lions References 2 External links Statistical leaders (Archived 2009-05-21), Atlantic Coast Conference, retrieved March 11, 2009.