Led by West Virginia transfer defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor the Miami football team totaled five sacks for the second straight week. Miami held Virginia Tech to 257 yards on 63 plays in the 20-14 victory. Mesidor earned the ACC Transfer of the Week from On3 for his performance against Virginia Tech.
Mesidor was named on Monday as the ACC DL Lineman of the Week. Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was the Quarterback of the Week after throwing for 496 yards in a 27-24 loss to North Carolina in week six. Mesidor was the fourth-highest-graded Miami player in week seven.
Pro Football Focus gave Mesidor a 67.5 pass rush grade, a 79.5 tackling grade and a 71.5 grade against the run per Inside the U. Per Inside the U, Mesidor was credited with four QB pressures. Linebacker Keontra Smith was the only player on the Miami defense to earn a higher grade than Mesidor.
Mesidor is the only defensive transfer honored by On3 in week three. Each Power Five conference and the Group of Five has one transfer of the week chosen. Mesidor has become a dominant force for the Miami football team on the DL. Mike Huguenin of On3 summarized the game Mesidor had versus Virginia Tech.
Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt & Miami DT Akheem Mesidor named Walter Camp Offensive & Defensive National Players of Week
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 16, 2022
"ACCDL Akheem Mesidor, Miami“The buzz: The Hurricanes held Virginia Tech to 257 yards of total offense in a 20-14 win and Mesidor was a big reason. He led UM with eight tackles and had 3.5 sacks. The Hurricanes had a season-high six sacks and held the Hokies to 4-of-15 on third down.Mesidor, who transferred from West Virginia in the offseason, now leads Miami with four sacks and is second with six tackles for loss.”"
After his performance on Saturday Mesidor is fourth nationally averaging one sack per game. Mesidor has five sacks this season. Miami is seventh nationally averaging 3.5 sacks per game. Ten of the 21 sacks Miami has recorded this season have been in the last two games. Miami is second in the ACC in the ACC in sacks.
Mesidor leads the ACC in sacks per game. At his current pace including a bowl game, Mesidor would tie for the fourth most sacks in a single season in Miami history. Mesidor is continuing the recent tradition of elite Miami pass rushers. Jaelan Phillips and Greg Rousseau were 2021 NFL first-round Draft picks.