Three Miami football players earn ACC Player of the Week
Quarterback D’Eriq King, wide receiver Mike Harley and defensive end Jaelan Phillips gave the Miami football team three ACC Players of the Week following the Hurricanes 44-41 victory at North Carolina State Friday night.
Following his exhilarating 430 yards passing and five touchdowns and 105 rushing yards, D’Eriq King was named the ACC quarterback of the Week. Mike Harley was named the ACC wide receiver of the Week and defensive end Jaelan Phillips the defensive lineman of the week to give the Miami football team three award winners.
King is the first player since 2018 to throw for over 400 yards and five TDs and run for 100 yards in the same game. King was the last player to accomplish those feats while he played for Houston. The exhilarating performance by the first-year Miami QB earned his third ACC QB of the Week award.
King set his Miami career highs in passing yards, TD passes and rushing yards as the Hurricanes comeback from a 10 point fourth-quarter deficit to win 44-41 at North Carolina State. Miami improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the ACC with the win over the Wolfpack. The Hurricanes next play Saturday at Virginia Tech.
King was one yard off of his career-high of 431 passing yards set in a 2018 Houston loss at Texas Tech. The five TD passes were the fourth time King accomplished that feat tying his career-high. The 105 rushing yards were the sixth-highest of King’s career. King’s performance against NC State put him among the ACC’s elite.
"QUARTERBACK – D’Eriq King, Miami, Sr., QB, Manvel, TexasNamed ACC Quarterback of the Week for the third time this season after becoming only the third player in ACC history with a 400-yard passing, 100-yard rushing game in No. 11 Miami’s come-from-behind 44-41 win at NC State • Completed 31-of-41 passes for 430 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards.The 535 total yards rank seventh in ACC single-game history • Joined past Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd among the elite ACC 400 yards passing/100 yards rushing quarterback group.Posted the 13th 400-yard passing game in Miami school history and became the first Hurricanes quarterback to rush for 100 yards in a game."
Harley had his second straight breakout game for the Miami football team. Two weeks ago Harley set career highs with 10 receptions for 170 receiving yards and added a TD in a 19-14 victory over Virginia. On Saturday, Harley nearly reached those numbers with eight receptions for 153 yards and a TD.
Harley scored on a 54-yard catch and run from King with 2:43 remaining in the fourth quarter to put the Miami football team ahead to stay. With 18 receptions for 323 yards and three TDs over the last two games, Harley has raised his game to another level with Miami first-team tight end Brevin Jordan out during the last three games.
"RECEIVER – Michael Harley, Miami, Sr., WR, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Earned second ACC Receiver of the Week honor in three weeks following his performance in Friday night’s 44-41 win over NC State.Had a game-high eight catches totaling a game-best 153 yards – just shy of his 10-catch, 170-yard performance in the Oct. 24 win over Virginia – and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter on a 54-yard sprint to the end zone.Has made 18 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns over his last two games."
Phillips led Miami with a career-high 10 tackles, added 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup in Raleigh on Friday night. Philips and DE Quincy Roche have continued to produce for Miami off the edge. Phillips and Roche will be challenged against Virginia Tech who is second in the ACC allowing 1.71 sacks per game.
"DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Jaelan Phillips, Miami, Jr., DE, Redlands, Calif.Posted a career-best 10 tackles in the No. 11 Hurricanes’ 44-41 win over NC State • Added 1.5 tackles for loss, including a solo sack, and a pass breakup.Has started all seven games for the Hurricanes this season and has 29 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks thus far."
Roche had six tackles, a half-sack and a pass breakup against North Carolina State. Miami will need another performance from their defensive line against the Hokies like they had against the Wolfpack. Miami is fourth in the ACC averaging 8.14 tackles per loss per game. The Miami offense could have an easier time against Virginia Tech.
The Hokies defense is 11th in the ACC allowing 460.7 yards per game. Roche is fourth averaging 1.43 TFLs per game with 10 total. Phillips has improved nearly every game with his total against North Carolina State setting Miami highs nearly across the board. Phillips is beginning to live up to his five-star status as a recruit.