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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA Three Virginia football players have received Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week honors for their play in the Cavaliers’ 35-20 win over East Carolina at home last Saturday. With the win Virginia evens its record at 3-3 this season.
Senior tailback Cedric Peerman was named the league’s Offensive Back of the Week. He rushed for a season-high 173 yards on just 16 carries and scored twice. He also caught a career-high eight passes for another 26 yards. His 173 yards on the ground are the second-most by an ACC player this season.
Peerman scored UVa’s first two touchdowns on runs of 79 and 60 yards to become only the second player in school history to have two 60-yard runs in a game and the first to accomplish the feat since 1948.
Senior left tackle Eugene Monroe was selected the Offensive Lineman of the Week. He played every snap in the win and graded out at a team-leading 88 percent, his highest grade this season and the second highest by Virginia player this season.
He helped pave the way for the Cavaliers to rush for a season-high 202 yards, their second 200+ game in row, and more than 60 yards above East Carolina’s average coming into the game. They also averaged a remarkable 6.1 yards per rushing play. Virginia also passed for a season-high 228 yards and compiled a season-best 430 yards of offense. For the game Virginia averaged 6.4 yards per play, while completing 76 percent of its passes in its best offensive game of the season.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Matt Conrath garnered the Rookie of the Week award. He was outstanding as the UVa defensive line bottled up quarterback Patrick Pinkney and held the ECU offensive in check. He graded out at 85 percent and turned in several big plays.
He made just two tackles, but one was a strip sack that caused a fumble recovered by the Cavaliers to set up their final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Conrath also broke up a pass. Overall, the Virginia defense held the Pirates to their second-lowest total of the season in rushing (89 yards), passing (196) and total offense (285).
The Cavaliers conclude their 3-game homestand this Saturday against North Carolina. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised by ABC/ESPN2.