Week 8 Acc Football Players of the Week

The Week’s Top Performances: ACC Football Players of the Week

This week, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) recognized standout performances by its players with the announcement of the Football Players of the Week for Week 8. The honorees were selected through a vote by a select media panel and showcased impressive individual efforts across various positions.

Quarterback of the Week: Haynes King, Georgia Tech

Haynes King, the senior quarterback from Longview, Texas, stood out in Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke. King accounted for a remarkable 325 yards of total offense, passing for 205 and rushing for 120 yards. This performance marked his third time this season and his seventh as a Yellow Jacket to achieve at least 100 passing and 100 rushing yards in the same game.

King’s second-half brilliance was particularly noteworthy, with 240 of his total offensive yardage coming in the final two quarters.

His leadership was key as Georgia Tech scored on all four of their full possessions after halftime (excluding a series of kneel-downs to end the game). King capped off an impressive showing by scoring the decisive 28-yard touchdown run with just 2:10 remaining, giving his team a commanding lead.

With this performance, King’s career passing total at Georgia Tech reached 6,132 yards, making him only the fifth player in the program’s history to throw for over 6,000 yards. He is also the first to do so in just three seasons and the first ACC signal-caller since Lamar Jackson from 2015-17 to have double-digit rushing touchdowns in three consecutive seasons.

Rookie of the Week: Cole Tabb, Stanford

Cole Tabb, the freshman running back from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, led the Cardinal on the ground against Florida State. He logged 28 carries for 118 yards and a rushing touchdown, setting career highs in both categories. His performance marked him as the first Stanford running back not named Micah Ford to rush for over 100 yards since 2022 (Casey Filkins).

Tabb’s contribution helped lead Stanford to their third straight home victory, marking the first such streak by the Cardinal since 2018. His exceptional play highlights his potential as a key player in Stanford’s offensive lineup.

Receiver of the Week: Chris Bell, Louisville

Chris Bell, the senior wide receiver from Yazoo City, Mississippi, led Louisville with 136 yards on nine receptions, including two touchdown catches. His performance not only included a career-high in receiving but also added to his growing reputation as one of the ACC’s top receivers.

Bell’s third consecutive 100-yard receiving game solidified his status among Louisville’s elite players. With his latest pair of touchdowns, Bell has now scored 12 for his career, making him a formidable threat on both sides of the ball for his team.

Offensive Lineman of the Week: Trevonte Sylvester, Louisville

Trevonte Sylvester, the senior offensive tackle from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, made his first start of the season and played a crucial role in Louisville’s 24-21 road win over No. 2 Miami. He assisted in limiting Miami’s potent pass rush to just one sack for the entire game while maintaining an overall grading out at over 90 percent.

With Sylvester’s strong play, Louisville managed to rush for 119 yards and recorded a total of 367 yards offensively against Miami. This defensive dominance, combined with Sylvester’s individual efforts, played a significant role in securing the game win for the Cardinals.

Defensive Lineman of the Week: Kevin Jobity Jr., Syracuse

Kevin Jobity Jr., the senior defensive lineman from Buffalo, New York, recorded a career-high three sacks against Pittsburgh. His efforts also included six total tackles and 0.5 sacks, helping to limit Pitt’s scoring capabilities significantly.

Jobity’s performance was instrumental in Syracuse’s defensive strategy, which held Pittsburgh to just one sack on their entire team. This strong defensive showing came at a crucial time when the Yellow Jackets needed to secure key points against Duke.

Linebacker of the Week: Kam Robinson, Virginia

Kam Robinson, the junior linebacker from Tappahannock, Virginia, made an impactful play by blitzing from outside and tackling Washington State’s Kirby Vorhees in the end zone for a safety. This crucial play not only gave Virginia its first lead of the game but also served as a turning point that secured their fifth consecutive win.

Robinson’s efforts did not stop there, as he added eight tackles, including one tackle-for-loss and had a pass breakup to further solidify his defensive contributions. His performance reflects his growing importance on Virginia’s defense in critical moments of the game.

Punt Returner of the Week: Sam Keltner, SMU

Sam Keltner, the freshman placekicker from Keller, Texas, contributed to SMU’s victory over Clemson by making a career-best three field goals. His kicks came from 51, 48, and 48 yards, with his 51-yard attempt being his longest ever.

In addition to his accurate kicking, Keltner also added six touchbacks on kickoffs, showcasing his versatility as a specialist for SMU. These strong contributions underscored his potential in future games.

Looking Ahead: ACC Football Championship Game

The 2025 ACC Football Championship Game is set to take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, December 6, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans can secure their tickets now through Ticketmaster and theACC.com, with prices beginning at just $65.

For those seeking a more elevated experience, premium seating options are available in The Vault and the Gridiron Club, providing all-inclusive hospitality and enhanced amenities.

Exclusive group pricing is also on offer for groups of 10 or more, along with unique postgame opportunities. More details can be found at theACC.com/tickets.

The ACC has lined up a series of pivotal games in Week 9, featuring seven conference matchups that will significantly impact the playoff race and set the stage for the championship game showdown.