Georgia Tech nabs top weekly ACC awards

While PJ didn't get offensive back of the week, GT did get plenty of recognition this week. Frankly as great as PJ was, Philip Rivers (NC ST) and Josh Allen (MD) probably deserve it even more considering the level of defensive competition they were up against. Heck, Allen rushed for even more yards than PJ Daniels and of course Rivers played his heart out against FSU, only to have it stomped at the end. For details, click here. For the GT perspective click here.

However, here are the GT awards for the week.

DEFENSIVE BACK
Georgia Tech's Reuben Houston (Peachtree City, Ga.) made three key defensive plays in the Yellow Jackets' 41-24 win over North Carolina with an interception, a fumble recovery and a sack. The 6-0, 195-pound cornerback also had eight tackles and a pass breakup. With the Jackets clinging to a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter and North Carolina on the move into Tech territory, the redshirt sophomore's fumble recovery at the Tech 14-yard line preserved the lead.

SPECIALIST

Georgia Tech's Jonathan Smith (Argyle, Ga.) recorded three touchdowns in less than seven minutes of the fourth quarter in the Yellow Jackets' victory over North Carolina (41-24), including a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown. The 5-11, 185-pound wideout became the first player in Tech history to have a touchdown pass, a touchdown reception and touchdown return in the same game. After Saturday's performance, the senior now leads the ACC in punt returns with a 10.4-yard average. Smith accounted for a total of 157 yards in the game, including six receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown, five yards rushing, a 26-yard touchdown pass and 75 punt return yards.

ROOKIE

Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball (Stone Mountain, Ga.) threw a season-best three touchdown passes to lead the Yellow Jackets' to a 41-24 victory over North Carolina. The 5-11, 192-pound freshman completed 13 of 25 passes for 122 yards and three scores and rushed 12 times for 53 yards to total 175 yards of total offense. With the score tied at 17-17, Ball moved Tech down the field for the go-ahead field goal with an 81-yard drive on which he gained 32 yards rushing.