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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The ACC announced today junior cornerback Chase Minnifield and junior safety Corey Mosley have been named the league’s Co-Defensive Backs of the Week following Virginia’s upset of No. 22 Miami, 24-19, at Scott Stadium on Saturday.

Both Minnifield (Lexington, Ky.) and Mosley (Richmond, Va.) had two interceptions and four tackles in UVa’s win. They helped the Cavaliers tie the school record with five interceptions during the game and became the first UVa duo to each snare two interceptions in the same game since 1994’s contest against Virginia Tech. Percy Ellsworth and Joe Crocker both had two interceptions in a 42-23 victory against the Hokies, also marking the last time UVa intercepted an opponent five times.

Minnifield’s first interception came in the second quarter and set up UVa’s first touchdown of the game. His second came in the third quarter when UVa led 17-0, but Miami had driven to the Cavaliers’ 17-yard line. It was an acrobatic pick where he leaped above the Miami receiver and managed to get one foot down in the back of the endzone before toppling out of bounds. His efforts were commemorated on ESPN as the day’s No. 3 play in Top Plays.

Mosley’s first pick also ended a Hurricane scoring threat. With Virginia up 7-0 and the Hurricanes at the UVa 15-yard line, he intercepted the ball on the eight and returned it 44 yards setting up the Cavaliers’ second touchdown. His second pick came in the fourth quarter at the Miami 30, which he returned to the Canes’ 5-yard line. UVa scored one play later to go up 24-0.

Minnifield now has six interceptions this season, which ties for the NCAA FBS lead.

The duo joins a list of three previous Cavaliers to earn weekly honors by the ACC. Terence Fells-Danzer was the Specialist of the Week on Oct. 25. Joe Torchia was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week following the USC game and Oday Aboushi was named Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 7.

The last ACC Defensive Back of the Week to bestowed on a Cavalier was Ras-I Dowling on Oct. 12, 2009.

Virginia returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Durham, N.C., to face the Duke Blue Devils. Kickoff is set for Noon and will be televised on ESPN3.

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