Football Standouts Earn ACC Honors

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Sept. 9, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.— University of Virginia safety Anthony Poindexter and middle linebacker Wali Rainer have earned weekly Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors for their play in Virginia’s 19-0 victory at Auburn on September 3.

Poindexter, a senior from Forest, Va., earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors. He was in on eight tackles, four of them unassisted, intercepted a pass and broke up a pass in the end zone against the Tigers. He stopped an Auburn drive by intercepting a pass at the Virginia 24-yard line with 6:51 to go in the first half. The interception also set up the Cavaliers’ first touchdown drive. UVa drove 76 yards in four plays to take a 6-0 lead with 5:27 left in the first half.

Rainer, a senior from Charlotte, N.C., earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. He was in on 12 tackles, seven of them unassisted including one for a loss of one yard, recovered a fumble and broke up two passes against Auburn. His fumble recovery came at the Auburn 45-yard line late in the first half.

Virginia limited Auburn to eight first downs, 18 yards rushing and 179 yards in total offense.

Other players honored by the ACC include Travis Minor (Offensive Back of the Week) and Jason Whitaker (Offensive Lineman of the Week) of Florida State, B. J. Hill of Duke (Rookie of the Week) and David Richardson of Clemson (Specialist of the Week).