Dec. 1, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Georgia Tech A-Back Roddy Jones and NC State Quarterback Russell Wilson headline the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week for the games of Nov. 29. Jones ran for 214 yards and two scores on Saturday to lead the Yellow Jackets past arch-rival Georgia. Wilson threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns in NC State's regular season finale against Miami. Joining them this week are Virginia Tech offensive lineman Ryan Shuman, Duke linebacker Michael Tauiliili, Boston College linebacker Robert Francois and Boston College holder Billy Flutie.

Jones averaged 16.5 yards per carry in the win over the Bulldogs to claim Offensive Player of the Week honors. The Yellow Jacket freshman also scored two touchdowns. Wilson was 11-of-23 through the air to earn Rookie of the Week honors, accounting for three scores. The Wolfpack redshirt freshman extended his streak of consecutive pass attempts without an interception to 226.

Virginia Tech's Shuman earned Offensive Lineman of the Week honors as he posted five knockdown blocks to help give Virginia Tech the Commonwealth Cup and a bid to the ACC Championship Game. He played all 80 snaps on offense, helping Virginia Tech to gain 392 yards of total offense. Duke's Michael Tauiliili was named Defensive Lineman of the Week honors after making 20 tackles in his final collegiate game on Saturday against North Carolina. His 20 tackles are the most in the league this season. He also made his fourth interception of the season in the game.

Boston College linebacker Robert Francois led the Eagles with 10 tackles (9 solo) to earn Defensive Back of the Week accolades. Francois also returned an interception 36 yards to help put the game out of reach and send Boston College to the ACC Football Championship Game. Boston College holder Billy Flutie completed his first collegiate pass for a touchdown on a fake field goal to earn Specialist of the Week honors. Flutie rolled out on the fake field goal and completed the pass, which helped cement the Eagles' place in Tampa.

OFFENSIVE BACK--Roddy Jones, Georgia Tech, A-Back, 5-9, 240, R-Fr., Stone Mountain, Ga.
Jones rushed for 214 yards on 13 carries (16.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in Georgia Tech's 45-42 win at 13th-ranked Georgia on Saturday. Jones scored on runs of eight and 54 yards and he had a long rush of 62 yards against a Bulldog defense that ranked 15th nationally in rush defense. Jones also had four kickoff returns for 98 yards to give him 312 all-purpose yards on the day.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN--Ryan Shuman, Virginia Tech, Center, 6-3, 313, r-Sr., Fork Union, Va.
Shuman played all 80 offensive snaps for the Hokies in their 17-14 win over Virginia. He graded out at 88 percent with a team-high five knockdowns as the offense racked up nearly 400 yards.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN-- Michael Tauiliili, Duke, MLB, 5-11, 235, Sr., Houston, Texas
Tauiliili posted a career-high 20 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 interception in Duke's 28-20 loss to North Carolina. The 20 tackles are the most by an ACC player this year and one of just three 20+ tackle performances by a BCS conference player in 2008. The interception was his team-high fourth of the season. Tauiliili leads the ACC and ranks third nationally in tackles per game (11.67).

DEFENSIVE BACK--Robert Francois, Boston College, LB, 6-2, 253, Sr., Highlands, Texas
Francois led the team in tackles with 10 (9 solos), notched one sack for a four-yard loss and three tackles for loss in Boston College's win over Maryland on Saturday. With the Eagles clinging to a 21-14 lead late in the fourth quarter, Francois intercepted a Chris Turner pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory. Francois' touchdown marked the Eagles' eighth non-offensive touchdown of the season. BC is now tied with Alabama and Kansas State for the most non-offensive touchdowns in the country.

SPECIALIST-- Billy Flutie, Boston College, QB/H, 6-2, 186, So. Natick, Mass.
Flutie, the BC backup quarterback, punter, holder and wide receiver threw for a 9-yard touchdown on a fake field goal Saturday to lead the Eagles to a spot in the ACC Championship Game. Flutie, the holder on field goals, took the snap, rolled right, and completed his first collegiate pass to tight end Jordon McMichael, who made his first collegiate reception. Flutie also punted once for 37 yards.

ROOKIE-- Russell Wilson, NC State, QB, 5-11, 191, R-Fr., Richmond, Va.
Wilson threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns in NC State's win over the Hurricanes. He also ran for another 58 yards and a score as NC State improved to 6-6 to become bowl eligible. He scampered 29 yards for a touchdown that tied the game at 14-14 in the second quarter. This was the sixth straight game that Wilson threw for multiple touchdowns. He leads the ACC with 16 touchdown throws. Wilson extended his NCAA-long active streak of pass attempts without an interception to 226. He has thrown only one interception all season, the fewest among any FBS quarterbacks ranked in the NCAA top 100 for passing.