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Sept. 29, 2003
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Three Cavalier football players earned ACC Player of the Week accolades on Monday.
Kicker Connor Hughes (Williamsburg, Va.) captured his first ACC honor as the league’s Specialist of the Week. Hughes’ kicking performance won the 27-24 game with Wake Forest as he converted a 38-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining to get the win. The sophomore remained perfect, converting 4-for-4 on field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points. His game tying 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the longest of his career (topping his previous career-high of 48 yards vs. Western Michigan) and the longest UVa field goal made at Scott Stadium. The 53-yarder is also the third longest in school history and the longest since Rafael Garcia boomed a 56-yarder in 1995 (against Texas). Hughes’ four field goals are also the second-most in school history.
Tight end Heath Miller (Swords Creek, Va.) was also tabbed with his first Offensive Lineman of the Week honor.In the win over Wake Forest, Miller made a spectacular touchdown catch over a Wake defender in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 21-21. The sophomore led all receivers with 94 yards on seven catches (both career-high figures), including a 26-yard grab. All seven receptions resulted in either a field goal or touchdown. Miller caught a 13-yard pass to get UVA out from deep in its own territory on the team’s drive that resulted in the game-tying field goal. He had a 15-yard reception on the final drive to put the ball on the 19 for Hughes’ game-winning field goal.
Cornerback Jamaine Winborne (Chesapeake, Va.) took home Defensive Back of the Week recognition. Winborne was on fire once again in UVa’s win over Wake Forest. His interception with less than a minute to play in the game was crucial to UVa’s scoring efforts and led to the victory. The senior ran the ball back for 20 yards to put the ball in Wake territory for Hughes’ 38-yard game-winning field goal. Winborne also recorded a career-high nine tackles, including seven solos.
The ACC honor is the second in Winborne’s career. He earned ACC honors for the first time last season following his performance against NC State.
The Virginia Cavaliers (3-1, 2-0 ACC) travel to North Carolina (0-4, 0-2 ACC) on Saturday, Oct. 4 for a 1:30 p.m. non-televised game.