Kareem Martin Named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week

The absence of UNC players from these weekly league recognition is probably more indicative of the lack of winning than anything else. That being said, there haven't been many memorable performances outside of Eric Ebron's 199 yards of receiving versus Miami. At any rate, Kareem Martin snags the honor for the top defensive lineman in the ACC this week with a performance the Tar Heels really need more of going forward.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Kareem Martin, North Carolina, Sr., DE, 6-6, 265, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

Martin posted five tackles and had two sacks in North Carolina's 34-10 win over Boston College, including sacks on two consecutive third-down plays in back-to-back BC drives to force punts. Martin was part of a UNC defense that allowed a season-low 261 total yards, including just 59 passing yards. The 59 passing yards were the fewest allowed by a Tar Heel defense since 1997.

This is also a situation where the stats don't tell the entire story. Martin's two sacks came on two third quarter drives by Boston College with the Heels only up 20-7. As Inside Carolina noted, the Heels got three straight 3rd down stops with eight defensive backs in the field. Martin got sacks in two of this situations. Martin getting pressure on the opposing quarterbacks makes it an easier decision to drop and and rush three. If he can continue to do that with a fair amount of regularity it will help the defense in general.