Hankerson, Forston Earn ACC Weekly Honors

Oct. 4, 2010

GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Miami student-athletes Leonard Hankerson and Marcus Forston have been named Atlantic Coast Conference Players of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday. Hankerson earned offensive back of the week honors, while Forston was named defensive lineman of the week.

Hankerson had a career day for the Hurricanes in Miami’s 30-21 win at Clemson, hauling in seven receptions for a career-high 147 yards. Hankerson caught a UM record-tying three touchdown receptions – all in the first half. His touchdown catches went for seven-yards, 22-yards and a career-long 65-yards. It was Hankerson’s second career multi-touchdown game and first career three-touchdown game.

Hankerson also moved into a tie for sixth place all-time in career touchdown receptions at Miami. He now has 15 career touchdown receptions, tying Brian Blades (1984-87). His three receiving touchdowns in the first half marked the first time since 1998 that a `Cane has had three touchdown receptions in a game. Santana Moss had three against Rutgers on Oct. 3, 1998. Hankerson also extended his streak to 17-straight games with a reception against the Tigers.

Forston was one of Miami’s defensive standouts on Saturday, registering three tackles, a half sack, a tackle for a loss, a quarterback hurry and one interception at Clemson. His first career interception led Miami to its go-ahead touchdown to make the score 20-14. Forston also helped lead a Hurricanes’ defense that limited Clemson to just seven points in the second half.

On Sunday, Hankerson also earned College Football Performance Awards National Wide Reciever of the Week honors for his performance against the Tigers.

Other ACC honors this week went to FSU’s Ryan McMahon (offensive lineman) and Christian Jones (rookie), Virginia Tech’s Jayron Hosley (defensive back) and Georgia Tech’s Scott Blair (specialist).