2024 SCHEDULE – WEEK 2
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 TIME, TV SIRIUSXM APP/WEB
BYU at (RV) SMU
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 121, 143, or 193 143 or 955
Series: BYU leads series, 4-0;
Last meeting: BYU, 24-23 (2022 – New Mexico Bowl)
ESPN2: Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
Duke at Northwestern
9 p.m. ET, FS1 84, 108, or 194 84 or 956
Series: Duke leads series, 13-10;
Last meeting: Duke, 38-14 (2023)
FS1: Connor Onion (play-by-play), Mark Helfrich (analyst)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 TIME, TV SIRIUSXM APP/WEB
Pitt at Cincinnati
Noon ET, ESPN2 137, 162, 194, or 200 954 or 956
Series: Pitt leads series, 8-5;
Last meeting: Cincinnati, 27-21 (2023)
ESPN2: Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Sam Acho (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline)
#23 Georgia Tech at Syracuse
Noon ET, ACCN 161, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 4-1;
Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 31-22 (2023)
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
California at (RV) Auburn
3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 132, 201, or 371 371 or 963
Series: Auburn leads series, 1-0;
Last meeting: Auburn, 14-10 (2023)
ESPN2: Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
Duquesne at (RV) Boston College
3:30 p.m. ET, ACCNX / ESPN+ 121 or 203 965
Series: First Meeting;
Last meeting: N/A
ACCNX: Bill Spaulding (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst)
Jacksonville State at #22 Louisville
3:30 p.m. ET, ACCNX / ESPN+ 162 or 194 956
Series: First Meeting;
Last meeting: N/A
ACCNX: Justin Kutcher (play-by-play), Charles Arbuckle (analyst)
Charlotte at North Carolina
3:30 p.m. ET, ACCN 108, 205, or 385 967 or 975
Series: First Meeting;
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
Marshall at Virginia Tech
4:30 p.m. ET, The CW 161 or 193 955 or 993
Series: Virginia Tech leads series, 11-3;
Last meeting: Marshall, 24-17 (2023)
The CW: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Trevor Scales (sideline)
Florida A&M at #12 Miami
6 p.m. ET, ACCNX / ESPN+ 146 or 204 966
Series: Miami leads series, 10-1;
Last meeting: Miami, 70-3 (2016)
ACCNX: Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play), Forrest Conoly (analyst), Marilyn Payne (sideline)
Virginia at Wake Forest
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 162, 194, or 391 956 or 981
Series: Virginia leads series, 34-17;
Last meeting: Wake Forest, 37-17 (2021)
ESPN2: Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
Cal Poly at Stanford
7 p.m. ET, ACCNX / ESPN+ 121 965
Series: First Meeting;
Last meeting: N/A
ACCNX: Roxy Bernstein (play-by-play), Michael Bumpus (analyst), Sherree Burruss (sideline)
#14 Tennessee vs. #24 NC State
7:30 p.m. ET, ABC 84 or 374 80, 84, or 374
Series: Tennessee leads series, 2-1;
Last meeting: Tennessee, 35-21 (2012)
ABC: Rece Davis (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline)
Appalachian State at #25 Clemson
8 p.m. ET, ACCN 161 or 193 955 or 993
Series: Clemson leads series, 5-0;
Last meeting: Clemson, 41-10 (2015)
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
ACC NOTES
GREATNESS JUST GOT GREATER
The ACC Board of Directors voted on Sept. 1, 2023, to formally admit the University of California (Cal), Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Stanford University to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Cal, SMU and Stanford joined the ACC as full members with full voting participation effective July 1, 2024 (SMU) and August 2, 2024 (Cal and Stanford). The decision followed the submission of letters of application from all three institutions.
The additions of Cal, SMU and Stanford enhance and strengthen the ACC academically, athletically and financially and create a true national conference that spans coast to coast. The incoming universities enrich the league’s competitiveness in all sports and further demonstrate the ACC’s commitment to broad-based programs for both women and men. n Cal, SMU and Stanford will begin competing in the ACC across their respective sponsored sports starting this year, 2024-25.
GREATNESS IS WHAT WE DO
The ACC announced its new creative campaign, “ACCOMPLISH GREATNESS,” a multi-part brand campaign highlighting the vast success of the ACC’s athletics and academics alike ahead of the ACC’s official college football season on Week 1 of last year. The campaign is set to commence its second year around the start of the 2024 ACC football season.
WEEK 0 TV VIEWERSHIP LOVE
The 2024 college football season opener between Georgia Tech and No. 10 Florida State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Game in Dublin, Ireland, Week 0 (August 24) had 5.0 million viewers.
The conference contest was the most-watched Week 0 game on any network since 2019. The viewership was up 40 percent over 3.56 million viewers that watched last year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic in 2023 between Notre Dame and Navy on NBC.
ACC NOTES
WEEK 1 TV VIEWERSHIP HISTORY
The ACC was part of history on Saturday, August 31, as it was ABC’s second-most-watched Kickoff Saturday on record. (ESPN PR)
The ACC had teams in two of the three games that were part of the historical day in Clemson and Miami.
The Clemson versus Georgia Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta was the most-watched Week 1 Noon Game on record, peaking at 9.5 million viewers.
The in-state rivalry contest between Miami and Florida in Gainesville, Florida, was the most-watched Week 1 Late Afternoon Game since 2017
1 OF 2 TOP-25 MATCHUPS IN WEEK 2
The ACC will be part of one of the only two top-25 matchups set for Week 2, when No. 24 NC State and No. 14 Tennessee meet in the Duke’s Mayo Classic on Saturday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC in Charlotte, North Carolina.
CONFERENCE PLAY CONTINUES IN WEEK 2
The ACC is the only conference to have played conference games in each of the first three weeks (Week 0, Week 1 and Week 2) of the season. n After being the only conference in all of FBS to play a conference game in Week 0 – No. 10 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (August 24) – and Week 1 – Boston College at No. 10 Florida State (September 2) – the ACC will have two conference games in Week 2.
ACC FOOTBALL ON LABOR DAY
Boston College and No. 10 Florida State capped off Week 1 of the 2024 college football season with a Labor Day showdown in ACC play on Monday, September 2, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. n All 17 teams were in action over Labor Day weekend, August 29 through September 2, with 16 games spanning four days – Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday.
2 WEEKS, 2 TOP-10 WINS
With the first two weeks of the season (Week 0 and Week 1 complete), the ACC has already recorded a pair of AP top-10 wins, albeit in conference play. n In Week 0, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated No. 10 Florida State 24-21 on a 44-yard field goal as time expired at the Aer Lingus Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland (August 24).
With the top-10 win, Georgia Tech moved to 5-0 against nationally ranked ACC opponents under head coach Brent Key. n The top-10 win was the first for the Yellow Jackets since GT defeated No. 9 Florida State on October 24, 2015, in what has been named the “Miracle on Techwood Drive”.
The top-10 win was Georgia Tech’s first in a season opener since a 24-21 win at No. 4 Alabama on September 12, 1981. n The Boston College Eagles capped Week 1 of the college football season with a 28-13 road win over No. 10 Florida State on Labor Day (September 2). n BC earned its first win over a top-10 team since defeating No. 9 USC in 2014 and opened the year with a top-10 win for the first time since taking down No. 7 Texas in 1976.
Georgia Tech and Boston College became two of just six unranked teams to beat an AP Top 10 conference opponent in its season opener in the last 40 years.
SEASON-OPENING STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Several ACC players had record-setting and standout performances in their team’s respective season openers to start the 2024 season over the last two weeks – Week 0 and Week 1.
In Florida State’s season opener versus Georgia Tech in Ireland in Week 0, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald connected on field goals of 59 and 52 yards in the first half, becoming the third player in FSU history with multiple 50-yard field goals in a game and second FSU kicker to make two 50-yard field goals in the same half. Fitzgerald’s 59-yard field goal was the longest in a conference game in ACC history, the second-longest overall by a Florida State kicker and third longest in ACC history. n In Georgia Tech’s season-opening win over No. 10 Florida State in Dublin, Ireland, in Week 0 (August 24), kicker Aidan Birr won the game on a 44-yard field goal as time expired. It was the first time that the Yellow Jackets scored the game’s winning points as time expired since DB Lance Austin returned a blocked field goal 78 yards for a touchdown in Tech’s 22-16 “Miracle on Techwood Drive” win over No. 9 Florida State on Oct. 24, 2015. n In SMU’s season-opening win in Week 0 at Nevada (August 24), tight end RJ Maryland finished the game with career bests in catches (eight) and receiving yards (162) to go with the game-winning touchdown reception in the 29-24 win. His 162 receiving yards were the most by an SMU player since Rashee Rice’s 180 yards at Tulsa on October 29, 2022. n In North Carolina’s season-opening road win at Minnesota (August 29), running back Omarion Hampton rushed for 129 yards and surpassed the 2,000 career yards mark. His 129 rushing yards were the most by a Tar Heel in a season opener since Elijah Hood recorded 138 against South Carolina in 2015.
In NC State’s season-opening win over Western Carolina (August 29), transfer quarterback Grayson McCall went 26-for-40 for 318 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. With his performance, he made just the fourth ever 300-plus passing yard quarterback debut for the Pack joining Matthew McKay, Harrison Beck, and Phillip Rivers. Wideout KC Concepcion’s big night included nine receptions for 121 yards and three touchdowns. He is the first Wolfpack wide receiver since Thayer Thomas in 2020 to bring in three scores in a game. He is also only the fourth sophomore in program history to have a three-touchdown reception game, joining Tramain Hall vs. Duke (2003), Jericho Cotchery vs. Clemson (2001), and Koren Robinson vs. Georgia Tech (2000).
In Wake Forest’s ninth season-opening win under head coach Dave Clawson, wide receiver and return specialist Taylor Morin had a career day on Thursday, as he caught six passes for 100 yards. He also returned three punts and a kickoff for a combined 217 yards becoming the first player to accomplish that feat since 2018. One of those punt returns was a 73-yard scamper to the house – marking Wake’s first punt return TD since 2018. n In Duke’s season-opening win at home over Elon (August 30), transfer quarterback Maalik Murphy passed for 291 yards, the most by a Blue Devils’ quarterback in their debut since 2010.
In Stanford’s season opener at home against TCU (August 30), quarterback Ashton Daniels carried the ball 17 times for 89 yards, setting a new career-high in rushing yards which also ranks as the fifth-most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game in Stanford history.
In Pitt’s win over Kent State (August 31) to start the season, transfer Eli Holstein became the first redshirt freshman quarterback to start a season opener for Pitt in 21 years (Sept. 6, 2003). Holstein completed 29-of-39 passes for 330 yards, three touchdowns and a 165.7 rating. Wide receiver Kenny Johnson caught seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, both single-game career highs. He also recorded a new career-long reception of 46 yards in the first quarter.
In Louisville’s season-opening 62-0 win over Austin Peay (August 31), four players scored a touchdown in their UofL debut for the first time since 1912 when the Cards played their first game in program history. Transfer quarterback, Tyler Shough was 18-of-24 passing for 232 yards and four touchdowns, while playing only the first half. He tied Browning Nagle’s school record for the most TD passes in a UofL starting debut with four, while his 232 yards passing was the highest first-half total for a QB in his UofL starting debut since Jay Gruden threw for 234 yards in the first half versus Western Kentucky in 1986. Running back Issac Brown led Louisville rushers with 123 yards and a score on five carries. His 123 yards on the ground were the most in program history by a freshman in his first game. Brown and fellow freshman running back Duke Watson became the third and fourth UofL true freshmen to rush for a touchdown in a season opener since 1970, following Larry Stricklin in 1985 and Anthony Allen in 2006. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker T.J. Capers returned an interception 29 yards in his collegiate debut, the first Louisville player to do so since TreSean Smith vs. Purdue in 2017.
In Miami’s blowout win over Florida in the two teams’ season opener (August 31), transfer quarterback Cam Ward completed 26 of 35 passes to 10 different receivers for 385 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. With his performance, he became the first Hurricanes’ quarterback since Ken Dorsey in 2021 to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a season opener. His 385 yards were the most by a player in a Miami debut since at least 1980.
Miami’s win snapped Florida’s home-opener winning streak at 33 consecutive games and was the worst home-opening loss in the Gators’ program history. n In Syracuse’s season-opening win over Ohio (August 31), the first of the Fran Brown era, transfer quarterback Kyle McCord threw for a career-high 354 yards and another career-best four touchdowns. The touchdown mark was one shy of tying the program’s single-game record. Three players in SU history have notched five in a game, most recently Eric Dungey (2018).
In Virginia’s win over Richmond in the season opener (August 31), the Cavaliers’ first completed pass of the season went for a touchdown, a 35-yard completion from Anthony Colandrea to Trell Harris. It marked the first time in the 135-year history of Virginia football that the first completed pass of the season went for a touchdown. It was also the first time UVA scored on its first completed pass in a game since 2018 when Bryce Perkins found Olamide Zaccheaus for an 86-yard strike against Ohio (September 15).
Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea accounted for 346 yards of total offense (297 passing, 49 rushing), the second-highest total of his career. His three total touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush) matched a career-best. He recorded his first career rushing touchdown with a seven-yard keeper with 8:31 left in the third quarter. n In Boston College’s season-opening conference road win at No. 10 Florida State on Labor Day (September 2), quarterback Thomas Castellanos rushed for the first score of the game. He finished with 73 rushing yards, which pushed him past Tyler Murphy for the most all-time at BC by a quarterback.
AROUND THE ACC
Boston College: With a season-opening road win at then-No. 10 Florida State (September 2), BC earned its first win over a top-10 team since defeating No. 9 USC in 2014 and opened the year with a top-10 win for the first time since taking down No. 7 Texas in 1976. BC outgained FSU 369-293 in total offense, including 263-21 yards on the ground, and held the ball for 39:09 time of possession.
California: The Golden Bears recorded three interceptions and shut out UC Davis in the second half to record the season-opening win, its first as a member of the ACC. The three interceptions were the most in a game for the Cal defense since recording three in the 2023 opener at North Texas. In 2023, Cal tied for the nation’s lead with 28 takeaways, which included 12 interceptions.
Clemson: Saturday night’s contest at home versus App State will be Clemson’s 27th night game in Death Valley under head coach Dabo Swinney. Clemson is 23-3 in home night games in Swinney’s tenure, and the Tigers have won 20 consecutive night games in Memorial Stadium, the nation’s second-longest active streak in home night games. With an all-time record of 798-473-45, the Tigers are two wins away from becoming the 14th FBS team (and first ACC team) to win 800 games all-time.
Duke: Duke kicked off the season with a 26-3 home victory over Elon in Week 1 (Aug. 30), as the Blue Devils’ defense allowed just 30 rushing yards while posting 16.0 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 quarterback sacks. The 16.0 TFLs were the most by a Duke defense in a single game since 2007, while the 8.0 sacks marked the highest in a single game since recording 9.0 against Miami in 2019.
Florida State: Ray Guy Award preseason watch list member Ryan Fitzgerald has been the most consistent player for the Seminoles to start the 2024 season, as he is 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on PATs on the season. His 14 points are the most on the team and tied for 20th nationally. His 59-yard field goal in the season opener versus Georgia Tech is the longest field goal in all of FBS this season.
Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech is 2-0 for the first time since 2016. The Yellow Jackets have done it with a balanced offensive attack, as GT has totaled 415 rushing yards and passed for 420 yards this season, an average of 207.5 rushing and 210.0 passing yards per game. Georgia Tech has also recorded 40 first downs this season – 20 rushing and 19 passing. The Jackets are also one of nine ACC teams to have scored on every one of its red zone possessions.
Louisville: The Cardinals opened the season with an impressive 62-0 win over Austin Peay in Week 1. Transfer quarterback Tyler Shough tied a school record for touchdown passes by a quarterback in his debut with four touchdown passes — all coming in the first half. Shough completed 18-of-24 passes for 232 yards. His 232 passing yards were the highest first-half total for a player making his first Louisville start since Jay Gruden passed for 234 yards in a 45-6 win over Western Kentucky in 1986,
Miami: In the Hurricanes’ season opener at Florida (August 31), the Miami offense scored on six of its first eight possessions and never looked back in what was eventually a dominant 41-17 win over the rival Gators. Miami gained 529 total yards in the non-conference win, marking the most yards Miami has totaled against an SEC opponent since the Hurricanes had 542 yards against Vanderbilt in 1981.
North Carolina: With starting quarterback Max Johnson going down with an injury in the season opener at Minnesota (August 29), Omarion Hampton took over and finished the game with 129 rushing yards. Hampton rushed for over 100 yards for the ninth time in his career Hampton’s 129 rushing yards were the most by a Tar Heel in a season opener since Elijah Hood recorded 138 against South Carolina in 2015.
NC State: The Wolfpack connection of Grayson McCall and Kevin “KC” Concepcion was in full force in the season-opening win over Western Carolina (August 29), as the duo connected nine times for 121 yards and three touchdowns. All three of McCall’s passing touchdowns were to Concepcion, including the first of three NC State scores in the fourth quarter that pushed the Wolfpack into the lead for good in the win.
Pitt: The Panthers’ offense had a strong showing in the season opener versus Kent State (August 31), as Pitt registered 570 total net yards on offense, the first time it reached 500 yards of total offense since November 26, 2022, at Miami (510). The 31 first downs recorded by the Panthers were the fifth most inside Acrisure Stadium (since 2001) and the most at home since September 25, 2001, against New Hampshire (35). Running back Desmond Reid, wide receiver Kenny Johnson and quarterback Eli Holstein became the first trio of Panthers to have a 100-yard rushing game, 100-yard receiving game and 300-yard passing game since C’Bo Flemister (105 rushing), Bub Means (109 receiving) and Christian Veilleux (302 passing) at Wake Forest on Oct. 21, 2023.
SMU: The Mustangs found paydirt a lot in their 59-7 home-opening win over Houston Christian (August 31) last weekend. In fact, SMU had 10 different players account for a point, including seven different players with a touchdown. The 59 points were tied for the 15th most in a single game in program history, as the Mustangs are 2-0 on the season and extended their home win streak to nine consecutive games heading into a home contest versus BYU of the Big 12 this week. t Stanford: Cardinal standout wide receiver Elic Ayomanor picked up right where he left off following a breakout 2023 season, as he led Stanford in receiving in its Week 1 game against TCU, with seven receptions for 102 yards, his fourth 100-yard receiving game of his career (13 games). His 102 yards were the seventh most in the ACC in Week 1.
Syracuse: Transfer quarterback Kyle McCord had a memorable Syracuse debut in the season opener. He was 27-for-39 for 354 yards and four touchdowns through the air. He posted career highs in completions (27), attempts (39), passing yards (354) and touchdown passes (4), including his tenure at Ohio State. The touchdown mark was one shy of tying the program’s single-game record. Three players in ‘Cuse history have notched five in a game, most recently Eric Dungey (2018).
Virginia: The Cavaliers will take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons this week for the first time since the 2021 season and the first time in the Tony Elliott era. Virginia is looking to halt a five-game Wake Forest win streak, its longest ever against UVA, as the Cavaliers’ last win against Wake Forest came in 2007, a 17-16 win at Scott Stadium. UVA is looking to end a three-game losing streak in ACC openers and secure its first win in a conference opener since 2020 (38-20 win at home vs. Duke). The last two Virginia ACC openers were decided by a combined five points (2021 – L, 20-22 at Syracuse; L, 21-24 vs. NC State).
Virginia Tech: The Hokies outscored Vanderbilt 24-10 in the second half, yet failed to score in the overtime period to allow the Commodores to hold on for the 34-27 season-opening win. Quarterback Kyron Drones had a career day with 322 passing yards and two touchdown passes while running back Bhayshul Tuten scored on both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the loss.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons open up ACC play at home versus Virginia, meeting the Cavaliers for the first time since 2021. Wake Forest is 24-7 at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium since 2019, which is the third-best winning percentage at home in the ACC during the five years from 2019 to 2023. The home contest is the second of four-straight for the Demon Deacons to open up the 2024 season.
