Two Cavaliers Receive Weekly ACC Football Honors

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Dec. 3, 2001

Charlottesville, Va. – Two University of Virginia football players were named Atlantic Coast Conference Players of the Week for their play in the Cavaliers’ come-from-behind 20-14 win over Penn State in the season finale last Saturday (Dec. 1).

Punter Mike Abrams was named the league’s Specialist of the Week, while linebacker John Duckett received the nod as conference Defensive Back of the Week.

Abrams, a senior from Aiken, S.C., averaged 41.8 yards on his five punts against the Nittany Lions. He had two punts over 50 yards, including one 54-yarder he dropped at the one-yard line. He also did a good job of negating returns as Penn State returned just one of his five boots.

Duckett, a senior from Lexington Park, Md., played a key role in his last college game. He was in on a team-leading 13 tackles, nine of them unassisted, as the defense kept an explosive Penn State offense in check. He also had one quarterback sack and caused a fumble that proved to be the game’s key play.

Looking to build on a 14-6 lead midway through the third quarter, the visitors from Pennsylvania were in a third-and-six situation at the UVa 8-yard line. Duckett caused quarterback Zack Mills to fumble. Defensive back Art Thomas picked up the fumble and raced 92 yards for a touchdown to narrow the Nittany Lions’ lead.

Other ACC Players of the Week for this week are: Offensive Back – Woodrow Dantzler, QB, Clemson, Offensive Lineman – Kyle Young, C, Clemson, Defensive Lineman – Darnell Dockett, DT, Florida State, Rookie – Roscoe Crosby, WR, Clemson.