Around the ACC: Week 11

Story posted November 12, 2021 in CommRadio, Sports by Logan Bourandas

Out of nowhere, this conference is now wide open.

The lone undefeated team in the ACC in the Wake Forest Demon Deacons fell in a close one last week on the road against North Carolina in a 58-55 shoot-out.

While Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman did throw for five touchdowns, he was outdueled not by Sam Howell but by Tar Heels running back Ty Chandler who finished with 213 yards and four touchdowns.

That Wake Forest loss means that teams such as NC State and Pitt now have a much greater chance to make some noise in the ACC as all three teams only have one conference loss.

What makes things even better is that No. 16 NC State will get the chance to take on No. 12 Wake Forest this weekend in a battle that will likely decide the Atlantic division.

The Wolfpack took care of business in their last game as they defeated Florida State in a 28-14 final.

Quarterback Devin Leary finished the game with 314 passing yards and four touchdowns as he scored one in each quarter of the contest.

In a much more convincing fashion, Pitt was also able to pick up a win as the Panthers crushed Duke winning 54-29.

Kenny Pickett continued his dark-horse Heisman campaign as the Panthers quarterback finished the day with 416 passing yards and three touchdowns as he threw for more yards than the Duke offense in the game.

Those 416 yards from Pickett was his second-highest total on the season and was way behind his season-high of 519 yards against Miami from the week before.

With a chance to extend that winning streak to two games, the No. 21 Panthers were able to edge out an overtime victory against the Tar Heels on Thursday night in a 30-23 victory.

Pickett once again was able to lead the way with 347 passing yards and three touchdowns which includes the final blow in the extra frame.

Looking elsewhere around the ACC this week, there is one interesting out-of-conference game as No. 9 Notre Dame travels to take on Virginia.

The 6-3 Cavaliers had their four-game winning streak come to an end last week as they were outdueled in a high-scoring battle losing to BYU by a score of 66-49.

It was not the best day for the Cavaliers’ defense as they allowed 734 total yards of offense against the Cougars as they didn’t provide the best welcome to a Virginia team that will now face its second ranked team in three weeks.

Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.