Williams ACC Back of the Week; Peterson OL of the Week

Today is Marquise Williams birthday and one of his presents was being named ACC Back of the Week.

OFFENSIVE BACK – Marquise Williams, North Carolina, Sr., QB, 6-2, 225, Charlotte, N.C.

Williams rushed for a career-high 148 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead North Carolina to a record-setting 38-31 come-from-behind victory over Georgia Tech. The win was UNC’s first in Atlanta against Georgia Tech since 1997 and marked the biggest comeback in school history (from a 21-0 first-half deficit). Williams led the Tar Heels in rushing yards (148), passing yards (134) and receiving yards (37). He scored on a 7-yard run in the second quarter with four seconds remaining to bring the Tar Heels within 21-14 at the half, and then scored what proved to be the winning touchdown with a 27-yard run in the fourth quarter on fourth down. Williams also caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Quinshad Davis early in the fourth quarter to give the Tar Heels their first lead of the game.

I suppose an argument could be made for Williams as the ACC Receiver of the Week but 37 yards on one reception doesn't quite cut it.

It cannot be overstated how huge Williams' performance was on Saturday after listening to a week's worth of "Trubisky should start" noise. That noise wasn't necessarily wrong given the facts in hand but credit where credit is due. Larry Fedora stuck by his senior quarterback despite some uneven play through four games and the payoff was UNC's first win in Atlanta since 1997.

On the offensive line Caleb Peterson earned weekly honors there.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Caleb Peterson, North Carolina, Sr., LG, 6-5, 300, Auburn, Ala.

Peterson posted a career-best 13 knockdown blocks, did not allow a sack and graded out at 89 percent to help lead the Tar Heels to Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech. Peterson helped pave the way for the Tar Heels to rush for 231 yards on 31 attempts, an average of 7.5 yards per rush. Carolina scored four rushing touchdowns as quarterback Marquise Williams had 148 yards rushing (9.9 yards per carry) and two rushing scores and tailback Elijah Hood had 60 yards rushing (5.0 yards per carry) and two touchdowns.

By and large the offensive line has played relatively well this season despite a lack of depth.