Boston, Cooper Win ACC Weekly Awards

This is getting to be quite the habit. Winning does that and part of that winning is individual players with standout performances. This week it was Safety Tre Boston and OG Jonathan Cooper who were recognized as ACC defensive back and offensive lineman of the week respectively.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina, Senior, G, 6-3, 295, Wilmington, N.C.

Senior offensive guard Jonathan Cooper played all 85 offensive snaps, graded a team-best 93 percent, had 14 knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack in Carolina’s 18-14 win at Miami. Cooper helped pave the way for Carolina’s 272 rushing yards, which included 177 from Giovani Bernard, 77 from Romar Morris and 14 from A.J. Blue. Both of North Carolina’s touchdowns came on the ground. On the first scoring drive, Cooper had key blocks on three plays that went for 10-or-more yards, including the 10-yard touchdown run by Bernard.

DEFENSIVE BACK – Tre Boston, North Carolina, Junior, S, 6-1, 190, Ft. Myers, Fla.

Boston posted six tackles, broke up a pass and intercepted another in an 18-14 victory at Miami. A native of Ft. Myers, Fla., Boston led a Tar Heel defense that held Miami to 235 yards passing, 60 yards less than its season average.

Tre Boston actually had a second interception but it was wiped out by a pass interference call on Gene Robinson. Overall, Boston has elevated his play nicely in recent weeks as the defense continues to improve from a slow start earlier in the season.

Jonathan Cooper and the rest of the offensive line have finally been able to live up the hype which has surrounded the unit for the past couple of seasons. Cooper, a senior, was a preseason All-ACC pick and has anchored an offensive line that has done a great job of not only opening the door for Giovani Bernard but also Romar Morris, who has been a pleasant surprise at the backup spot.

In other news, UNC's kickoff with NC State will be at 12:30 on October 27th broadcast on the ACC Network. You are now free to sigh about it.