Two Cavaliers Nab ACC Football Player of the Week Honors

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Nov. 12, 2001

Charlottesville, Va. – Two Virginia football players were named ACC Players of the Week for their play in the Cavaliers’ 39-38 upset of Georgia Tech last Saturday (Nov. 10) in Charlottesville.

Kick returner/wide receiver Tavon Mason was named the league’s Specialist of the Week, while center Kevin Bailey shared the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week award.

Mason, a junior from Baltimore, Md., had the best return game of his career against the Yellow Jackets. After the visitors from Atlanta took a 26-21 lead with 9:24 left in the game, Mason gave the Cavaliers the lead back by taking a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, setting a new school record for longest kickoff return. It was the first UVa kickoff returned for a touchdown since 1996. Mason averaged 33.3 yards on five returns in the victory. He also caught four passes for 31 yards and scored UVa’s first touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Bryson Spinner in the second quarter.

Bailey, a sophomore from Lexington, Ky., moved from left tackle to center two weeks ago and turned in his second dominant performance in a row at his new position. He graded out at 97 percent overall and was credited with four knockdown blocks. He did not have any missed assignments and did not allow a quarterback pressure in the game. Bailey shared the weekly award with Wake Forest center Vince Azzolina.

Other players receiving recognition this week include-Offensive Back of the Week Ray Robinson, N.C. State, Defensive Lineman of the Week E.J. Henderson, Maryland, Defensive Back of the Week Quintin Williams, Wake Forest, and Rookie of the Week Darian Durant, North Carolina.