2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox sports season

| title = 2008 ACC football season

| color = #193980

| color text = #ffffff

| league = NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision

| sport = football

| logo =

| pixels = 150px

| caption =

| duration = August 28, 2008 – January 1, 2009

| no_of_teams = 12

| season = Regular season

| season_champ = Virginia Tech

| MVP = Tyrod Taylor

| MVP_link =

| top_scorer =

| top_scorer_link =

| conf1 = Atlantic

| conf1_link = ACC Atlantic Division

| conf1_champ = Boston College

| conf1-runner-up =

| conf2 = Coastal

| conf2_link = ACC Coastal Division

| conf2_champ = Virginia Tech

| conf2-runner-up =

| playoffs_MVP =

| playoffs_MVP_link=

| finals = ACC Championship Game

| finals_link = 2008 ACC Championship Game

| finals_champ = Virginia Tech

| finals_runner-up = Boston College

| finals_MVP =

| finals_MVP_link =

| seasonslist = List of ACC football seasons

| seasonslistnames = ACC

| prevseason_link = 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference football season

| prevseason_year = 2007

| nextseason_link = 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference football season

| nextseason_year = 2009

}}

{{2008 ACC football standings}}

The 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season was the 56th season that the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) participated in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football. As a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) conference, the ACC's constituent members competed within the framework of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

The media widely recognized the 2008 season as one of the most chaotic in the conference's history.Strelow, Paul. [http://www.thestate.com/181/story/597237.html "ACC is a BCS mess"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317022646/http://www.thestate.com/181/story/597237.html |date=2009-03-17 }}, The State. November 21, 2008. Accessed November 28, 2008.Latter, Sam. [http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_11041440 "ACC faces confusing playoff fight"], The (Hanover) Evening Sun. November 21, 2008. Accessed November 28, 2008. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090317095918/http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_11041440 Archived] 2009-05-21. At season's end, the ACC fielded an NCAA-record of ten bowl eligible teams from its twelve conference members.{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/24/AR2008102403767.html | accessdate = January 17, 2009 | work=The Washington Post | first=Eric | last=Prisbell | title=Work of Art? | date=October 25, 2008}}[http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120708aac.html NCAA-Record 10 ACC Teams Head to Bowls], Atlantic Coast Conference, December 7, 2008, retrieved January 21, 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120119010757/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120708aac.html Archived] 2009-05-21.

Virginia Tech secured its second consecutive conference championship when it won the 2008 ACC Championship Game against Boston College. Likewise, it was the second consecutive season that Boston College finished as the conference runner-up. Virginia Tech went on to represent the conference in its BCS game, the 2008 Orange Bowl, and, with a victory over Cincinnati, ended the ACC's eight-year BCS game slump.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120111110433/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=290010259 Virginia Tech earns ACC's first BCS victory since' 99], ESPN, January 1, 2009.

Statistical leaders

class="wikitable"

! colspan="8" align="center" | Passing

Player

!School

!Comp

!Att

!Yds

!TDs

!Int

!Rat

Russell Wilson

|N.C. State

|150

|275

|1,955

|17

|1

|133.9

Cullen Harper

|Clemson

|221

|360

|2,601

|17

|14

|126.2

Riley Skinner

|Wake Forest

|232

|363

|2,347

|13

|7

|126.2

Thaddeus Lewis

|Duke

|224

|361

|2,171

|15

|6

|123.0

Chris Turner

|Maryland

|214

|374

|2,516

|13

|11

|119.3

class="wikitable"

! colspan="6" align="center" | Rushing

Player

!School

!Att

!Yds

!Avg

!TDs

Jonathan Dwyer

|Georgia Tech

|200

|1,395

|7.0

|12

Da'Rel Scott

|Maryland

|209

|1,133

|5.4

|8

Darren Evans

|Virginia Tech

|287

|1,265

|4.4

|11

Cedric Peerman

|Virginia

|153

|774

|5.1

|7

Montel Harris

|Boston College

|179

|900

|5.0

|5

class="wikitable"

! colspan="6" align="center" | Receiving

Player

!School

!Rec

!YDs

!Avg

!TDs

Hakeem Nicks

|North Carolina

|68

|1,222

|18.0

|12

DJ Boldin

|Wake Forest

|81

|848

|10.5

|3

Kevin Ogletree

|Virginia

|58

|723

|12.5

|5

Aaron Kelly

|Clemson

|67

|722

|10.8

|4

Jacoby Ford

|Clemson

|55

|710

|12.9

|4

class="wikitable"

! colspan="7" align="center" | Tackles

Player

!School

!Solo

!Asst

!Total

Michael Tauiliili

|Duke

|63

|77

|140

Alex Wujciak

|Maryland

|56

|77

|133

Quan Sturdivant

|North Carolina

|87

|35

|122

Mark Herzlich

|Boston College

|81

|29

|110

Vincent Rey

|Duke

|61

|48

|109

class="wikitable"

! colspan="7" align="center" | Sacks

Player

!School

!Solo

!Asst

!Yds

Everette Brown

|Florida State

|13

|1

|97

Clint Sintim

|Virginia

|9

|4

|86

Michael Johnson

|Georgia Tech

|8

|2

|85

Jason Worilds

|Virginia Tech

|8

|2

|85

B. J. Raji

|Boston College

|7

|1

|48

class="wikitable"

! colspan="7" align="center" | Interceptions

Player

!School

!Int

!Yds

!TDs

Trimane Goddard

|North Carolina

|7

|156

|1

Paul Anderson

|Boston College

|6

|149

|1

Macho Harris

|Virginia Tech

|6

|142

|2

Mark Herzlich

|Boston College

|6

|121

|2

Michael Hamlin

|Clemson

|6

|111

|0

Noteworthy games

  • East Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 22: Virginia Tech is defeated in its season-opener against Conference USA's ECU, which defeats a ranked opponent for a second consecutive game. East Carolina clinched the game after returning a blocked punt for a touchdown, and beat Virginia Tech at its own game of special teams-oriented "Beamer Ball."[https://web.archive.org/web/20080903010425/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282430151 East Carolina turns back Virginia Tech with punt block for a TD], ESPN, August 30, 2008.
  • Wake Forest 30, Mississippi 28: With three seconds remaining, Wake Forest placekicker Sam Swank makes a field goal to clinch the victory. The win was Wake Forest's 400th in school history.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080912051105/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282500154 Wake Forest edges Ole Miss with field goal in final seconds], ESPN, September 6, 2008.
  • Middle Tennessee 24, Maryland 14: The Sun Belt Conference's Middle Tennessee records it first-ever victory over an ACC team. It was just their fourth win against a BCS conference opponent, with the previous three all being against Vanderbilt.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080924143900/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282502393 Craddock, Middle Tennessee surprise Maryland], ESPN, September 6, 2008.
  • Boston College 34, Central Florida 7: In the first quarter, Boston College quarterback Chris Crane was booed off the field by the home crowd and replaced by back-up Dominique Davis. Crane, however, returns on the next series and leads Boston College to a rout over UCF.[https://archive.today/20120718080021/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640103 Cranes turns it around in second half as BC rolls], ESPN, September 20, 2008.
  • Duke 31, Virginia 3: With its first conference win since 2004, Duke ended a 25-game losing streak in ACC play. After a stalemate, 3–3, at halftime, Virginia quarterback Marc Verica threw four interceptions in the second half.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080929050757/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282710150 Duke capitalizes on five second-half turnovers in rout], ESPN, September 27, 2008.
  • Boston College 38, N.C. State 31: With 23 seconds remaining, Boston College quarterback Chris Crane scored on a 13-yard quarterback keeper for the go-ahead.[https://archive.today/20120708002830/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282780152&confId=1 Crane scores touchdown in final minutes as BC edges NC State], ESPN, October 4, 2008.
  • Florida State 39, Colorado 21: Bobby Bowden coached Florida State to defeat Colorado in his 500th game as a head coach.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080929210640/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282710052 Bowden gets Florida State past Colorado in 500th game], ESPN, September 27, 2008.
  • Boston College 38, N.C. State 31: With 22.8 seconds remaining, Boston College quarterback Chris Crane scores the go-ahead on a quarterback keeper.[https://web.archive.org/web/20081005162057/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282780152 Crane scores touchdown in final minutes as BC edges NC State], ESPN, October 4, 2008.
  • Florida State 41, Miami 39: A total 80 combined points were the most points ever scored in the state rivalry.[https://archive.today/20120714135559/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282782390 FSU dumps Miami behind Smith's career-best four touchdowns], ESPN, October 4, 2008.
  • Boston College 28, Virginia Tech 23: Boston College, the only ACC team to have beaten Virginia Tech on the road since the Hokies joined the conference, did it a second time.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090319034416/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282920103&confId=1 QB Crane struggles, but Boston College beats Va. Tech behind stingy defense], October 11, 2008.
  • Maryland 27, N.C. State 24: With six seconds remaining, Maryland placekicker Obi Egekeze makes a field goal to clinch the victory.[https://archive.today/20120717060003/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990120 Egekeze's field goal with 6 seconds remaining lifts Terps], ESPN, October 28, 2008.
  • Clemson 27, Boston College 21: Clemson's C. J. Spiller caught six receptions, a school record for a running back. Dabo Swinney recorded his first win as Clemson head coach.[https://web.archive.org/web/20081107213426/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283060103 RB Spillers sets receiving record as Clemson interim coach Swinney gets first win], ESPN, November 1, 2008.
  • Virginia 24, Georgia Tech 17: After an abysmal 1–3 start to the season, Virginia beat Georgia Tech to temporarily assume first-place in the Coastal Division.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025200805/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990059&confId=1 Peerman carries load as Virginia continues hot streak], ESPN, October 25, 2008.
  • Georgia Tech 31, Florida State 28: With 45 seconds remaining, Georgia Tech safety Cooper Taylor forced a Florida State fumble in the endzone to prevent an almost certain winning touchdown.[https://web.archive.org/web/20081106131909/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283060059 Georgia Tech snaps 0-12 skid against Florida State], ESPN, November 1, 2008.
  • Wake Forest 33, Duke 30: Wake Forest's back-up placekicker, Shane Popham, filled in for Sam Swank and kicked a field goal in overtime for the win.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203544/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283060154&confId=1 Popham hits 28-yard field goal in OT to propel Wake Forest past Duke], ESPN, November 1, 2008.
  • Florida State 41, Clemson 27: Florida State attained bowl eligibility for the 27th consecutive season on Bobby Bowden's 79th birthday.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203553/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283130052&confId=1 FSU bowl eligible for 27th straight season on Bowden's birthday], ESPN, November 8, 2008.
  • Boston College 17, Notre Dame 0: Boston College recorded the first shut-out on either side of the 18-game series against Notre Dame.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203600/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283130103&confId=1 Anderson helps Boston College extend streak to six over Irish], ESPN, November 8, 2008.
  • Clemson 31, Duke 7: Clemson receiver Aaron Kelly caught ten passes and surpassed the all-time ACC record for career receptions with 217.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203608/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283200228&confId=1 Clemson lights up Duke as Kelly sets ACC mark for receptions], ESPN, November 15, 2008.
  • Maryland 17, North Carolina 15: With 1:42 remaining, a Maryland field goal edged 16th-ranked North Carolina for the Terrapins' fourth win over a ranked opponent in 2008. Only Oklahoma and Florida, the two teams in the BCS Championship Game, exceeded the feat.{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/maryland.htm | accessdate = December 31, 2008 | work=USA Today | title=Maryland - Team Notes}}
  • N.C. State 41, North Carolina 10: By routing 21st-ranked North Carolina, N.C. State completes its run of the table on the Tobacco Road with wins over all four other FBS teams in the state.[https://archive.today/20120708185418/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270153&confId=1 QB Wilson key as NC State easily upends No. 22 UNC], ESPN, November 22, 2008.
  • Boston College 24, Wake Forest 21: Boston College back-up quarterback Dominique Davis replaced an injured Chris Crane in the second quarter. With 1:12 remaining in the game, Davis scored a touchdown and kept Boston College in contention for a spot in the conference title game.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203625/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270154&confId=1 BC sneaks past Wake Forest in final minutes to keep ACC title hopes alive], ESPN, November 22, 2008.
  • Virginia Tech 17, Virginia 14: A fourth quarter field goal allowed Virginia Tech to edge Virginia in the Commonwealth Cup. The win ensured the Hokies a berth in the ACC Championship Game.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203635/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340259&confId=1 Virginia Tech edges Virginia for spot in ACC championship game], ESPN, November 29, 2008.
  • Clemson 31, South Carolina 14: Clemson secured its tenth win in the last twelve games of the intrastate rivalry.[https://archive.today/20120711003611/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340228&confId=1 Davis' 3 TDs help Clemson drop South Carolina for 6th time in 7 games], ESPN, November 29, 2008.
  • Georgia Tech 45, Georgia 42: Having trailed by 16 points at halftime, Georgia Tech outrushed Georgia 201 yards to one in the second half. It was Georgia Tech's first win in the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry since 1999.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203743/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340061&confId=1 Ga. Tech overcomes 16-point halftime deficit, snaps 7-game skid to Georgia], ESPN, November 29, 2008.
  • Boston College 28, Maryland 21: Holder Billy Flutie, nephew of Doug Flutie, executed a pass during a fake field-goal attempt which proved to be the margin of victory in the game that clinched Boston College's trip to the ACC Championship Game.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203751/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340103&confId=1 Another Flutie makes key play to carry BC into ACC championship], ESPN, November 29, 2008.
  • N.C. State 38, Miami 28: Quarterback Russell Wilson led N.C State from a 2–6 season start to bowl eligibility with its win over Miami.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203834/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340152&confId=1 Wilson key as NC State rebounds from 2-6 start to earn bowl eligibility], ESPN, November 29, 2008.
  • Florida 45, Florida State 15: Florida of the Southeastern Conference extends its winning streak to five in the rivalry.[https://archive.today/20120708003911/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283340052 Florida wins 8th straight while continuing dominance in intrastate rivalry], ESPN, November 29, 2008.

Awards

=National awards=

=Conference awards=

Awards selected by ACSMA (Atlantic Coast sports media association)

Honors

=All-conference teams=

Postseason awards are selected by the Atlantic Coast sports media association by votes

==Offense==

class="wikitable"

! colspan=4|First team

! rowspan=13|

! colspan=4|Second team

Pos.

!Selection

!School

!Votes

!Pos.

!Selection

!School

!Votes

align=center

| QB

Russell WilsonNC State106QBThaddeus LewisDuke28
align=center

| RB

Jonathan DwyerGeorgia Tech134RBDarren EvansVirginia Tech58
align=center

| RB

Da'Rel ScottMaryland76RBC. J. SpillerClemson50
align=center

| WR

Hakeem NicksNorth Carolina130WREron RileyDuke57
align=center

| WR

DJ BoldinWake Forest76WRAaron KellyClemson56
align=center

| TE

John PhillipsVirginia88TERyan PurvisBoston College45
align=center

| OT

Eugene MonroeVirginia117OTGarrett ReynoldsNorth Carolina42
align=center

| OT

Andrew GardnerGeorgia Tech107OTAnthony CastonzoBoston College41
align=center

| OG

Rodney HudsonFlorida State99OGSergio RenderVirginia Tech48
align=center

| OG

Cliff RamseyBoston College78OGCordaro HowardGeorgia Tech45
align=center

| C

Edwin WilliamsMaryland62CThomas AustinClemson48

==Defense==

class="wikitable"

! colspan=4|First team

! rowspan=13|

! colspan=4|Second team

Pos.

!Selection

!School

!Votes

!Pos.

!Selection

!School

!Votes

align=center

| DE

Everette BrownFlorida State131DEOrion MartinVirginia Tech61
align=center

|DE

Michael JohnsonGeorgia Tech99DEJason WorildsVirginia Tech39
align=center

|DT

B. J. RajiBoston College103DTRon BraceBoston College52
align=center

|DT

Vance WalkerGeorgia Tech62DTDarryl RichardGeorgia Tech50
align=center

|LB

Mark HerzlichBoston College118LBClint SintimVirginia79
align=center

|LB

Michael TauiliiliDuke110LBAlex WujciakMaryland43
align=center

|LB

Aaron CurryWake Forest106LBMark PaschalNorth Carolina40
align=center

|CB

Alphonso SmithWake Forest134CBRas-I DowlingVirginia49
align=center

|CB

Victor HarrisVirginia Tech125CBKendric BurneyNorth Carolina34
align=center

|S

Trimane GoddardNorth Carolina105SMorgan BurnettGeorgia Tech85
align=center

|S

Michael HamlinClemson89SMyron RolleFlorida State55

==Special teams==

class="wikitable"

! colspan=4|First team

! rowspan=5|

! colspan=4|Second team

Pos.

!Selection

!School

!Votes

!Pos.

!Selection

!School

!Votes

align=center

| K

Graham GanoFlorida State127KMatt BosherMiami34
align=center

| P

Travis BaltzMaryland105PMatt BosherMiami60
align=center

| SP

C. J. SpillerClemson66SPMichael Ray GarvinFlorida State41

Source:[http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120108aab.html Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association Announces 2008 All-ACC Football Teams], The Atlantic Coast Conference, December 1, 2008. Accessed 2009-03-22. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101231184935/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120108aab.html Archived] 2009-05-21.

ACC players in the NFL Draft

In the 2009 NFL draft, 32 former ACC players were selected. The ACC was second only to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which had 37 former players selected. The Big 12 and Big Ten each had 28 and the Big East had 27 former players selected. Of the ACC schools, Maryland and North Carolina tied for most former players selected at five. Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Virginia each had four former players selected.[http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-nfldraft-numbers,0,4641997.story Draft picks by school, conference]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, The Baltimore Sun, April 27, 2009.[http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042609aan.html ACC Again Scores Big At 2009 NFL Draft] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307215609/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042609aan.html |date=2012-03-07 }}, Atlantic Coast Conference, April 26, 2009.

class="wikitable"

! colspan=1|#

! colspan=1|Conference

! colspan=1|Players
selected

align=center

|1

align=left| SEC37
align=center

| style="background:#fad67d;"|2

align=left style="background:#fad67d;"| ACCstyle="background:#fad67d;"|32
align=center

|3

align=left| Big 1228
align=center

|3

align=left| Big Ten28
align=center

|5

align=left| Big East27
align=center

|6

align=left| Pac-1023
align=center

|7

align=left| MWC16
align=center

|8

align=left| C-USA10
align=center

|8

align=left| MAC10
align=center

|8

align=left| WAC10
align=center

|–

align=left| All others24

class="wikitable"

! colspan=1|Player

! colspan=1|Position

! colspan=1|School

! colspan=1|Pick

! colspan=1|Round

! colspan=1|Team

align=center

|align=left| Aaron Curry

OLBWake Forest41Seattle Seahawks
align=center

|align=left| Darrius Heyward-Bey

WRMaryland71Oakland Raiders
align=center

|align=left| Eugene Monroe

OTVirginia81Jacksonville Jaguars
align=center

|align=left| B. J. Raji

DTBoston College91Green Bay Packers
align=center

|align=left| Hakeem Nicks

WRNorth Carolina291New York Giants
align=center

|align=left| Alphonso Smith

CBWake Forest372Denver Broncos
align=center

|align=left| Ron Brace

DTBoston College402New England Patriots
align=center

|align=left| Everette Brown

DEFlorida State432Carolina Panthers
align=center

|align=left| Clint Sintim

OLBVirginia452New York Giants
align=center

|align=left| Richard Quinn

TENorth Carolina642Denver Broncos
align=center

|align=left| Michael Johnson

DEGeorgia Tech703Cincinnati Bengals
align=center

|align=left| Kevin Barnes

CBMaryland803Washington Redskins
align=center

|align=left| Brandon Tate

North Carolina833New England Patriots
align=center

|align=left| Dorell Scott

Clemson1034St. Louis Rams
align=center

|align=left| Chip Vaughn

Wake Forest1164New Orleans Saints
align=center

|align=left| Stanley Arnoux

Wake Forest1184New Orleans Saints
align=center

|align=left| Anthony Hill

NC State1224Houston Texans
align=center

|align=left| Andre Brown

NC State1294New York Giants
align=center

|align=left| Garrett Reynolds

North Carolina1565Atlanta Falcons
align=center

|align=left| Victor Harris

Virginia Tech1575Philadelphia Eagles
align=center

|align=left| Brooks Foster

North Carolina1605St. Louis Rams
align=center

|align=left| Chris Clemons

Clemson1655Miami Dolphins
align=center

|align=left| Michael Hamlin

Clemson1665Dallas Cowboys
align=center

|align=left| Spencer Adkins

Miami1766Atlanta Falcons
align=center

|align=left| Andrew Gardner

Georgia Tech1816Miami Dolphins
align=center

|align=left| Cedric Peerman

Virginia1856Baltimore Ravens
align=center

|align=left| James Davis

Clemson1956Cleveland Browns
align=center

|align=left| John Phillips

Virginia2086Dallas Cowboys
align=center

|align=left| Vance Walker

Georgia Tech2107Atlanta Falcons
align=center

|align=left| Moise Fokou

Maryland2307Philadelphia Eagles
align=center

|align=left| Darryl Richard

Georgia Tech2347New England Patriots
align=center

|align=left| Jaimie Thomas

Maryland2367Indianapolis Colts
align=center

|align=left| Dan Gronkowski

TEMaryland2557Detroit Lions

References

{{reflist|2}}