Dawgs of the Week: Outstanding Players in ACC for Week 1

Dawgs of ACC — © Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

With Week 1 in the books for the 2024 college football season, who won the week in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a stellar performance? Overall, the conference went 13-4 on the week with the only losses coming at the hands of No. 1 Georgia, TCU (1-0), Vanderbilt (1-0) and Boston College (1-0, 1-0 ACC) in a conference matchup with Florida State (0-2, 0-2 ACC). Which players had the best week for the conference? Let's take a look at the offensive side of the ball and who the Dawgs of the ACC were.

Quarterback

Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes

Against the Florida Gators (0-1), Ward finished 26-of-35 for 385 yards and 3 touchdowns for the No. 12-ranked Hurricanes (1-0). While he did throw an interception, he finished with a completion percentage of 74 percent. He made various throws from the pocket, on the run and with an altered release angle. Utilizing 10 different receivers, Ward put the ball in the right place for his playmakers to make plays. It was a statement by Ward and the offense that they should be considered contenders in the conference.

Running Back

Treshaun Ward, Boston College Eagles

On Sept. 2, playing against the team he started his college career with, the Florida State Seminoles, Ward made a statement. He ran with power and speed, finishing second on the team in yards with 77. He made his impact by averaging 6.4 yards each rush. He was also a weapon in the passing game, leading the team in receiving yards with 61. He played with a chip on his shoulder against a former team. He certainly helps make the Eagles more formidable this season.

Wide Receiver

KC Concepcion, North Carolina State Wolfpack

The young playmaker for the No. 24 Wolfpack (1-0) showed he's going to build on his breakout freshman season. Only a sophomore, he's established himself as one of the top receivers in the conference. On Aug. 29, he led the receivers with 121 yards on 9 receptions. He also added 3 touchdowns in the game. He provides quarterback Grayson McCall with a big target who knows how to get open and tracks the ball well on vertical routes. He's a monster when it comes to stretching the field and getting needed yardage, he averaged 13.4 yards per game in the Wolfpack's first game.

Xavier Restrepo, Miami Hurricanes

Restrepo picked up right where he left off a season ago for the Hurricanes. The sure-handed receiver showed the type of connection with his new quarterback in Ward that takes multiple seasons to form. He led the Hurricanes in receiving yards with 112 yards on just 7 receptions. He gained chunks of yardage on each reception and showed his agility in making defenders miss with ease. Able to play anywhere, he can lineup on the boundary and in the slot, and create matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.

Tight End

Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse Orange

After an injury early in the 2023 season that saw him miss the entire year, Gadsen made a statement and showed he was fully healthy for the Orange (1-0). He recorded 108 yards and a touchdown on 7 receptions. He's got the rare combination of size and the agility of a receiver to be a nightmare. He's got a great catch radius and is a solid route runner. With a new quarterback in Kyle McCord, the Orange offense will need him to build off the 2022 totals that saw him get 891 yards and 6 touchdowns.