ACC Football

Former Florida State football head coach Bobby Bowden was transported via ambulance to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare because of fatigue Tuesday, three days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Bowden was admitted as a precautionary measure, his wife Ann told Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat.

"I feel sure he's going to be OK," she said. "I am very positive. I am not an alarmist. He hasn't been getting around much at all due to his leg; it has been pretty painful. He sleeps much of the day."

Bowden had been in the hospital for close to two weeks because of a leg infection. He was released from the rehab center last Thursday before being diagnosed with COVID-19 two days later.

The former coach told Henry on Monday that he had not experienced any symptoms typically associated with COVID-19, such as a fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Ann said he is scheduled to undergo a chest X-ray in addition to other tests.

The rest of the coach's family have tested negative for COVID-19.

Rick Karle of WVTM 13 also reported that Ann hopes he is released from the hospital in two to three days.

Bowden, 90, led the Howard, West Virginia and Florida State programs during his five-decade collegiate head coaching career.

He is best known for his time piloting FSU from 1976 to 2009, when the team won the 1993 and 1999 national championships and finished Top Five in the Associated Press poll each year from 1987 to 2000.

He sports a career record of 377-129-4 and notably coached three future Pro Football Hall of Famers in cornerback Deion Sanders, linebacker Derrick Brooks and offensive tackle Walter Jones.

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney doesn't appear to be interested in making a move to the Houston Texans to reunite with Deshaun Watson. 

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Swinney said he hasn't heard from his former quarterback and "that is not even anything that I want to even have to think about" (starts at 30:10 mark):

The Texans fired head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien on Monday after a 31-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 that dropped their record to 0-4 this season.

O'Brien's recent tenure with Houston was marred by questionable roster decisions that left the organization without first-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021. He also traded All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for David Johnson and two draft picks. 

Watson is the face of Texans football after signing a four-year, $160 million extension in September. 

Before the Texans selected Watson with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft, he was Clemson's starting quarterback for three seasons under Swinney. The Georgia native threw for 10,168 yards and 90 touchdowns in 38 games. 

In his final college game, Watson threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-31 win over Alabama to win the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. 

Swinney has a 133-31 record with two national titles in 12 seasons as Clemson's head coach.

Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat.

Bowden was in the hospital for a leg infection and tested positive for the virus after being released. He reportedly "feels good" despite the diagnosis.

"I don't feel bad, yet. I guess I can loaf around the rest of the week," he joked, per Henry.

The 90-year-old is at a high risk for serious illness from COVID-19 due to his age group, with those above 85 years old at the greatest risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The coronavirus has already led to the deaths of more than 200,000 people in the United States, per the CDC.

Bowden discussed the virus early in the pandemic back in April and indicated he was taking it seriously.

"We can't even see the darned thing. And then we knew nothing about it. No history on it. No background on it," he said, per Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post. "I'm really concerned about this. That's why I'm staying home."

He and his family members are all being retested Monday.

Bowden spent more than 40 years coaching football at the college level, including at Samford and West Virginia before spending 34 years at Florida State. He won two championships with the Seminoles, becoming the second-winningest coach in NCAA history behind only Joe Paterno before retiring in 2009.

Clemson freshman running back Demarkcus Bowman has entered the transfer portal, AL.com's Matt Zenitz reported Thursday.

247Sports listed Bowman as a 5-star prospect, and the site rated him as the No. 20 overall recruit and No. 3 running back in the class of 2020.

The Tigers have used Bowman sparingly this season. He has rushed for 32 yards on nine carries in appearances against Wake Forest and The Citadel.

Chris Hummer of 247Sports reported Clemson has already canceled Bowman's financial aid, meaning it is highly unlikely he will exit the portal and return to the Tigers.

While there was a great deal of excitement surrounding Bowman's commitment to Clemson, he wasn't necessarily expected to have a big impact as a freshman.

He was behind senior starter and likely high NFL draft pick Travis Etienne on the depth chart, plus he had to compete with the likes of Darien Rencher, Chez Mellusi, Kobe Pace and Lyn-J Dixon for touches.

Head coach Dabo Swinney recruited and signed Bowman with an eye toward the future, and it is possible he would have taken over as the featured back next season following the departures of Etienne and Rencher.

Swinney had high expectations for Bowman, comparing him to Tigers legend C.J. Spiller. Spiller starred for four seasons at Clemson, racking up 3,547 rushing yards, 1,420 receiving yards and 43 touchdowns.

The Buffalo Bills selected Spiller with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, and he recorded one 1,000-yard rushing season and one Pro Bowl appearance during his eight-year NFL career.

After Bowman starred at Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida, similar greatness was expected, but if it is going to happen, it won't be in Clemson's orange and purple uniforms.

The move doesn't hurt Clemson significantly in the present since Etienne is a bell cow, but it could be an issue for the Tigers next year and beyond when their running back depth thins out.

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday that he believes Black lives matter but is not in favor of players putting social justice messages on their uniforms or helmets. 

"It's not that I'm not for the messages, but I'm a very traditional guy," Swinney said, per The Athletic's Grace Raynor. "I came from Alabama. It's not anything to do with the messages, I've always just not messed with uniforms. But that's all changed this year."

He also said that "anyone who doesn't believe Black lives matter, you should look into your soul," per David Hale of ESPN, but added that he was "apolitical":

"I'm on board with a lot of the messages, but I'm not on board with political organizations. That's a different question. I'm apolitical. To me, that's divisive. I've voted Democrat, Republican, independent, I've written in people when I didn't like anyone running. I'm apolitical when it comes to organizations. I don't support organizations, I support common-sense causes."

On his radio show Monday night, Swinney said he supports his players' right to free speech, per Hale:

"For our football team, this is America and everybody has the right to free speech. I don't judge somebody because they don't think the way I think. I think that is one of the issues that we have. We don't have any tolerance or respect for differences of opinion, different views anymore. There is no one around here that supports a senseless death of any kind; racism, anything that is against the police or police brutality. Nobody supports those things."

The NCAA announced in July that college football players would be allowed to put social justice messages on their uniforms. The NBA and WNBA allowed their players to do the same in their respective bubble environments amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

NFL players also wore a T-shirt on the field before Week 1 games that read "Injustice against one of us is injustice against all of us" on the front and "End racism" on the back. Houston Texans defensive back Michael Thomas helped design the shirts. 

North Carolina State safety Khalid Martin was stretchered off the field during a road game against Virginia Tech on Saturday after suffering a reported hip injury, per the ACC Network (h/t Michael Niziolek of the Roanoke Times).

Martin, who was taken to Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg, Virginia, is reportedly conscious.

Martin did not get up following a third-quarter play in which he suffered a head-to-head collision, per WRAL's Kacy Hintz.

Norm Wood of the Daily Press covered the scene on the field after that moment.

"Ambulance on the field for N.C. State safety Khalid Martin, who doesn't appear to have moved his legs. Extremely frightening situation. Almost all players for both teams taking a knee as they observe from a distance.

"Medical personnel have N.C. State safety Khalid Martin tied down to a backboard. They lifted him up a few inches and slid the board under him, taking great care not to move his legs and keep his body stationary. He still hasn't moved his legs.

"N.C. State players gather in a tight circle to pray as teammate Khalid Martin is strapped to a backboard with his neck secured in a heavy brace. As he's lifted into an ambulance parked at the 45-yard line, fans clap.

"N.C. State safety Khalid Martin appeared to be holding someone's hand—medical personnel member or coach...not sure—with his own left hand while he was on the ground, but didn't appear to move any other part of his body."

N.C. State provided an official update after the game:

Wolfpack safety Khalid Martin is being transported to a hospital in Roanoke from Montgomery Regional in Blacksburg. He is conscious and alert. Prayers for a quick recovery!

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 27, 2020

Martin is a redshirt freshman who hails from Tobaccoville, North Carolina.

The ACC announced Wednesday the men's college football game between Notre Dame and Wake Forest, which was originally slated to take place Saturday, has been rescheduled for Dec. 12. 

Notre Dame released a statement Tuesday saying seven of its 94 COVID-19 tests Monday came back positive. It brought the Fighting Irish's number of players in isolation to 13, leading the program to pause all football activities and postpone the game against the Demon Deacons.

Irish head coach Brian Kelly commented on the decision:

"With student-athlete health and safety our primary focus, we will continue to follow our prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures. We managed an increase in positivity rates in August, and the players handled it wonderfully.

"We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season, and we'll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making. We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field."

The ACC confirmed one other schedule change Wednesday, with Wake's game against Campbell being moved from Oct. 9 to Oct. 2. The team will now have a bye week after taking on the Fighting Camels.

Notre Dame, typically an independent in football, opted to join the ACC for the 2020 season to help with scheduling issues brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

It opened the season with a 27-13 win over Duke and followed it up with a 52-0 blowout of South Florida in the team's only non-conference game of the campaign. The Bulls have also halted football activities after their head-to-head battle with Notre Dame until further COVID-19 testing results are available.

The Irish are now slated to have three weeks between games, however, as they won't return to the field until Oct. 10 when they welcome Florida State to Notre Dame Stadium.

Meanwhile, Wake Forest is off to an 0-2 start following losses to top-ranked Clemson (37-13) and NC State (45-42). It's the first time the Deacs have opened with two straight defeats since 2007.

The rescheduled game in December will now serve as the final regular-season contest for both teams. It'll also likely slot the ACC Championship Game, which had tentative dates of Dec. 12 or Dec. 19, to the latter date.

Miami's first ACC game of the year ended with a 47-34 victory over No. 18 Louisville in Cardinal Stadium on Saturday evening.

Big plays buoyed Miami to victory, with the Hurricanes posting a pair of 75-yard touchdowns and a 47-yard score in the second half.

Louisville scored four second-half touchdowns but could not keep pace with the high-flying 'Canes, who were led by quarterback D'Eriq King's 325 passing yards and three touchdowns.

The Hurricanes, who beat UAB 31-14 to open their season, are now 2-0. Louisville, which beat Western Kentucky 35-21 last Saturday, fell to 1-1.

                  

Notable Performances

Miami QB D'Eriq King: 18-of-30, 325 passing yards, 3 TD

Miami RB Cam'Ron Harris: 9 carries, 134 rushing yards, 1 TD

Miami TE Brevin Jordan: 7 catches, 120 receiving yards, 1 TD

Louisville QB Malik Cunningham: 26-of-36, 307 passing yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Louisville RB Javian Hawkins: 27 carries, 164 rushing yards, 1 TD

Louisville WR Tutu Atwell: 8 catches, 114 receiving yards, 2 TD

    

Big Plays Lead to Miami's Road Win

Explosive plays lead to wins, and Miami was no exception in its dominating victory over Louisville.

Such plays also destroy an opponent's momentum.

The Cardinals refused to give up after a first half where they fell down two scores in part because Miami kicker Jose Borregales, who is establishing himself as the Lou Groza Award front-runner, knocked home field goals of 48 and 57 yards to close the scoring before halftime.

Down 20-6, Louisville started the second half with a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.

It was an impressive start for the Cardinals, but Miami had other plans, with Cam'Ron Harris taking one to the house from 75 yards to erase the home team's work:

MIAMI TAKES IT THE DISTANCE 💨 pic.twitter.com/qAugUp8qlL

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 20, 2020

To Louisville's credit, the Cardinals bounced back with an 11-play, 74-yard drive capped by a Tutu Atwell six-yard touchdown catch.

However, Miami struck quickly once again. This time, Jaylan Knighton caught a pass from King and went 75 yards for the score.

Jaylan Knighton practicing social distancing pic.twitter.com/UngFO3P4gy

— Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) September 20, 2020

A breakdown in the Louisville defense certainly helped out, but Miami took advantage.

The Cardinals were left with next to no room for error due to Miami's penchant for back-breaking plays, and they could not keep pace.

A three-and-out after a drive that lost 11 yards led to a Miami field goal, and the Hurricanes held on from there.

Of course, they added one more big play to their resume in the form of a 47-yard touchdown pass from King to Brevin Jordan. That all but sealed the win to keep Miami undefeated.

        

Defensive Breakdowns Doom Louisville

Louisville has the offensive talent to be competitive in the ACC. Of note, the trio of wideout Tutu Atwell, quarterback Malik Cunningham and running back Javian Hawkins should guide Louisville to numerous scoring explosions.

However, the defense is a work in progress, as evidenced Saturday.

Miami gained 485 yards from scrimmage despite possessing the ball for just 21:59. In other words, the 'Canes offense amassed roughly 22 yards per minute.

The Hurricanes committed zero turnovers, and they punted only three times.

Credit to Miami's offense, which played lights-out football and can make a case for being the ACC's second-best team behind Clemson.

But Louisville has to get to work. Numerous analysts recognized the Cardinals' defensive shortcomings, which included wide-open Hurricanes finding nothing but green to the end zone.

After the Harris touchdown run, Chris B. Brown of Smart Football tweeted: "The cornerback follows the motion, and then the defensive end/OLB jumps and the linebacker to that side both jump inside. Very unsound stuff."

Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio brought up memories of Louisville's 45-13 loss to Kentucky last November, in which the Cardinals allowed 517 rushing yards.

Louisville’s Defense reminds me of one I saw in the last game in Lexington last year

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) September 20, 2020

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic and Dominique Yates of the Louisville Courier-Journal also offered their takes.

I don't want to take anything away from Miami, but Louisville has had mind-boggling coverage busts on three of these TDs.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 20, 2020

Louisville’s defense looks a lot like I did in my math classes - confused.

— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) September 20, 2020

The road ahead doesn't get easier for Louisville thanks to its tough schedule, which features three straight road games against No. 25 Pitt, Georgia Tech and No. 7 Notre Dame up next. That doesn't leave much time for the defense to improve.

In other words, the onus might be on the offense for lights-out performances to guide Louisville to victories on their challenging road stretch.

            

What's Next?

Miami hosts archrival Florida State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, while Louisville will visit the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday at noon ET.

Many teams across college football have tried to rip off the Miami Hurricanes' famed turnover chain, but the school keeps coming back with more and more over-the-top versions of its iconic trophy.

On Saturday, the Canes debuted their fourth edition of the necklace given to whichever defender forces a turnover, and it's an absolute beauty.

First look at the U’s new turnover chain ⛓🙌

(via @CanesFootball) pic.twitter.com/BSct5CfRsN

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 20, 2020

The charm—shaped like the state of Florida—weighs 300 grams and features 1,400 sapphire stones on the "U" logo. The rest of the state is made from 1,900 sapphires, while the chain itself weighs two kilograms and checks in at 30 inches long.

Miami spent nearly three months putting the piece of jewelry together, and it certainly paid off.

Al Blades Jr. was the first Hurricanes player to win the chain this season with an interception on Louisville's Malik Cunningham late in the second quarter.

⛓ 2020 TURNOVER CHAIN ⛓ @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/ZMHuvLcIGW

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 20, 2020

After seeing what the chain looks like this year, he'll have plenty of teammates vying for it as well.

Trevor Lawrence and Clemson did not waste any time turning Saturday's contest against The Citadel into a blowout.

Lawrence accounted for three first-quarter touchdowns and the Tigers scored 49 first-half points on their way to a 49-0 win in their lone nonconference game of the 2020 season. ACC schools will play 10 league games and one out-of-conference contest in a schedule reconfigured because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The game amounted to little more than a glorified scrimmage for Clemson, a massive favorite that sat its starters in the second half.

Lawrence threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns, adding a two-yard rushing score.

       

Notable Stats

QB Trevor Lawrence: 8-of-9 passing, 168 yards, 3 touchdowns; 1 carry, 2 yards, 1 touchdown

RB Travis Etienne: 8 carries, 68 yards

WR Amari Rodgers: 1 reception, 44 yards, 1 touchdown

WR Frank Ladson Jr.: 3 receptions, 87 yards, 2 touchdowns

         

Now's the Time for Lawrence to Rack Up Heisman Trophy Numbers

There's not much left for Lawrence to accomplish in college. He's already won a national championship. He's one of the best quarterbacks in Clemson history. There is no doubt he will be the No. 1 selection in next April's NFL draft, barring a catastrophic injury.

All that's left, really, is walking away with a second national title in one hand and a Heisman Trophy in the other.

Games like Saturday's won't accomplish much on the latter goal. If we were living in an NCAA Football video game world, Lawrence would have stayed in until late in the fourth quarter and put up something to the tune of 687 yards and nine touchdowns to pad his stats for the box-score watching voters.

In real life, Lawrence has knees and arms and ankles that need to be protected. Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney didn't waste much time handing the keys over to D.J. Uiagalelei in what otherwise could have turned into a triple-digit scoring effort for the Tigers. 

Clemson has a back-loaded ACC schedule, with three of its final four opponents ranked in this week's Top 25. Lawrence's biggest test comes Nov. 7 against Notre Dame, which will also be his best spot to secure the trophy.

For all the lack of debate about Lawrence's standing in the hierarchy college football players, these stats matter. Joe Burrow won the Heisman last year because he was putting up video game numbers for the nation's best team. Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson, the three Heisman-winning quarterbacks who came before Burrow, had only the video game stats thing in common. 

Lawrence will need a couple of 400-yard, four-touchdown games to lock this thing down.