Turner, Switzer Earn ACC Weekly Honors

The ACC announced its player-of-the-week honors, and a couple of Tar Heels made repeat appearances.

Senior guard Landon Turner was named the offensive lineman of the week for the fourth time this season, while junior Ryan Switzer was named specialist of the week for the second time.

From the ACC:

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Landon Turner, North Carolina, Sr., OG, 6-4, 325, Harrisonburg, Va.

Turner graded out at 93 percent, had 10 knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack or pressure in North Carolina's 59-21 win over Miami.  Turner led the way as the Tar Heels had two 100-yard rushers (Elijah Hood with 132 yards and Marquise Williams with 101) and accumulated 298 rushing yards as a team. With Turner in the game, Carolina averaged more than seven yards per carry.

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SPECIALIST – Ryan Switzer, North Carolina, Jr., PR, 5-10, 185, Charleston, W.Va.

Switzer claimed sole possession of the ACC record for most career punt return touchdowns with seven when he scored on a 78-yard punt return in the second quarter of North Carolina’s 59-21 win over Miami.  It was his second punt return touchdown of the season and seventh of his career, which is one shy of tying the NCAA all-time record.  The NCAA record of eight is held by Wes Welker of Texas Tech (2000-03) and Antonio Perkins of Oklahoma (2001-04). He entered the game tied for the ACC career record with Maryland’s Steve Suter, who had six.

Turner is probably the odds-on favorite to win the ACC's Jacobs Trophy as the league's best blocker and is on a short list of Outland Trophy candidates as the nation's best interior lineman. And as the release notes, Switzer is one touchdown return shy of setting the national record.

Coincidentally, this is the second time this season Turner and Switzer have received player-of-the-week honors in the same week.