Trio of Hurricanes Pick Up Weekly Honors from ACC
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Three Miami Hurricanes were among those recognized with weekly honors from the Atlantic Coast Conference, it was announced Monday.
Junior Jaquan Johnson (ACC Defensive Back of the Week), freshman Navaughn Donaldson (ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week) and sophomore linebacker Zach McCloud (ACC Co-Linebacker of the Week) were all honored by the conference for standout performances in a 41-8 romp of Notre Dame at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 11.
It was the second straight weekly honor for Johnson, who was also named ACC Defensive Back of the Week on Nov. 4.
The trio joins Braxton Berrios (Receiver of the Week, Oct. 9), Darrell Langham (Co-Receiver of the Week, Oct. 16), Michael Badgley (Specialist of the Week, Oct. 16), Christopher Herndon (Receiver of the Week, Oct. 23), Michael Pinckney (Linebacker of the Week, Oct. 23) and RJ McIntosh (Defensive Lineman of the Week, Oct. 30) as Miami honorees through the first 11 weeks of the season.
A lot was made before the game about Notre Dame’s vaunted offensive line, but the Hurricanes unit, including Donaldson at right guard, proved the more reliable group Saturday night. Donaldson made the sixth start of his career and helped lead the Hurricanes offense to a 374-261 offensive yard advantage. Miami quarterback Malik Rosier was not sacked a single time by the Irish, while Donaldson and the Hurricanes offense piled up 237 rushing yards in the victory.
Johnson delivered another standout performance in the secondary to help key a dominant defensive performance for the Hurricanes. The Miami native led all Hurricanes with eight tackles (four solo) and wore the famed “turnover chain” yet again, this time on an interception of Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush early in the game. Johnson added one tackle for loss (1.0) and one PBU in the victory. Johnson leads all Hurricanes with 66 tackles this season and has started every game at season. He ranks second on Miami with three interceptions.
McCloud came through with a big performance for the Hurricanes on the defensive side of the ball, helping shut down Notre Dame All-American running back Josh Adams and limiting the Fighting Irish offense. McCloud posted five tackles (two solo), recorded one solo sack (three yards) and finished with 1.5 tackles for loss. He added one quarterback hurry in a dominant defensive performance for Miami, who held Notre Dame to just 109 rushing yards.
No. 2 / 2 Miami closes its home schedule on Sat., Nov. 18 with a Senior Day matchup against Virginia. Kickoff is set for noon from Hard Rock Stadium.
