Gunter, Johnson Collect ACC Weekly Honors

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Miami Hurricanes junior Ladarius Gunter and sophomore Duke Johnson were named the ACC Defensive Back and Specialist of the Week, respectively, the league announced Monday.

It was Gunter’s first ACC weekly award, while Johnson picked up his sixth honor and first Specialist of the Week designation. Johnson was a five-time ACC Rookie of the Week honoree as a freshman in 2012.

Gunter and Johnson are the fifth and sixth Hurricane to earn ACC Player of the Week honors in 2013. Brandon Linder was named Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 3, junior Denzel Perryman was named Linebacker of the Week and junior Anthony Chickillo was named Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 9 and freshman Stacy Coley was named Co-Rookie of the Week on Sept. 30.

Gunter recorded seven tackles, including one for a loss, and had a key interception return for a touchdown in Miami’s 45-30 win over Georgia Tech. Gunter’s 30-yard interception return for a touchdown helped seal Miami’s ACC win over the Yellow Jackets and extended the Hurricanes’ win streak to seven games. Gunter is the first Miami defensive back to return an interception for a TD since Ray-Ray Armstrong did so in 2010, and the first for any Miami player since Denzel Perryman’s 41-yard return in the 2012 season opener at Boston College. Gunter is one of three Hurricanes tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

Johnson finished with a game-high 325 all-purpose yards in Miami’s 45-30 win, his eighth career 200-yard game and second career 300-yard game. Johnson tallied 114 kick return yards on four tries and a game-high 184 rushing yards. Johnson leads the Hurricanes with 572 rushing yards on 84 carries (6.8 yards per rush) and 954 all-purpose yards.

No. 13/14 Miami (5-0, 1-0) is off this week but returns to the field Oct. 17 when the Hurricanes travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to face the North Carolina Tar Heels (1-4, 0-2). Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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