ACC Team Notes

True freshman linebacker Luke Kuechly, forced into the lineup because of injuries, won't be going back to the bench. He led the Eagles with 12 tackles in the win over FSU, including second- and third-down stops in a goal-line stand. "I don't want to anoint Luke as anything yet," coach Frank Spaziani said. "But he's got some things that you can't coach. ... You just don't want to mess him up." ... B.C. improved to 14-4 in ACC home games since joining the conference in 2005.

Clemson (2-3, 1-2)

Next game: vs. Wake Forest, Oct. 17

Clemson's three losses have come by a total of 10 points. Mistakes on offense are killing the Tigers, who blew fourth-quarter chances in each defeat. Dropped passes, clock mismanagement, procedure penalties and missed field goals led to the latest, a 24-21 loss to Maryland. "There's a real fine line between winning and losing," coach Dabo Swinney said. "I don't see any reason to panic."…Richard Jackson has nailed a school record three field goals of at least 50 yards, but missed potential tying field goals from 48 and 47 yards against Maryland.

Florida State (2-3, 0-2)

Next game: vs. Georgia Tech, 8 p.m. Saturday

The Seminoles have won all six home meetings against the Yellow Jackets. But FSU is in turmoil as coach Bobby Bowden stays quiet amid calls for his resignation. "We're just an average football team right now it looks like," said defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, whose unit is giving up a whopping 18.2 yards per completion. "An average defense."

Maryland (2-3, 1-0)

Next game: at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m. Saturday

The Terps' three-point win at Clemson took some heat off coach Ralph Friedgen. Not that he was feeling it. "I don't worry about what you say or what you write," said Friedgen, who has two years and $4 million left on his contract after this season. "I've been at this 41 years. It comes with the territory, know what I'm saying? But I like winning. I've won most of my career. I haven't had many bad seasons. And I'm a competitor. So that bothers me."…Tailback Da'Rel Scott, who broke a bone in his forearm, will be out at least until Nov. 21 against Florida State.

N.C. State (3-2, 0-1)

Next game: vs. Duke, 4 p.m. Saturday

Players decided to give up their meal money for several weeks and donate it to the BC chapter of Uplifting Athletes in honor of Eagles linebacker Mark Herzlich, who is battling a rare form of cancer. Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien recruited Herzlich when he was at BC. "He deserves that support," Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson said of Herzlich, last year's ACC Defensive Player of the Year. "He's a great player and has a great effect on the ACC." ... Look for wholesale changes in the secondary after Wake Forest's Riley Skinner shredded the Pack for 361 passing yards.

Wake Forest (3-2, 1-1)

Next game: vs. Maryland, 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Quarterback Riley Skinner has established career-highs in passing yards three weeks in a row and needs 81 yards to become Wake's all-time passing leader. ... Sophomore corner Josh Bush, part of an improving young secondary, ended Russell Wilson's NCAA-record streak of passes without an interception at 379. ... Starting tailback Kevin Harris (torn groin muscle) will miss his third straight game.

Coastal Division

Duke (2-3, 0-1)

Next game: at N.C. State, 4 p.m. Saturday

Duke's most important player is healthy after dealing with injuries and illness. "I'm feeling real good," said quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, who threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns in the 34-26 loss to Virginia Tech. "It couldn't come at a better time to feel the way I feel now going into ACC play." Lewis needs 123 passing yards to hit 8,000 for his career. ... The Blue Devils have lost 11 straight to the Wolfpack.

Miami (3-1, 2-1)

Next game: vs. Florida A&M, 7 p.m. Saturday

The No. 11 Hurricanes may deserve a breather after four top-20 opponents but the Rattlers are 4-0 and have LeRoy Vann, who's twice returned two punts for touchdowns in a game this season. ... QB Jacory Harris is spreading it around; he's hit 12 different receivers. Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who also tutored Donovan McNabb and Ben Roethlisberger, admits he's being especially tough on Harris because of his supreme potential.

North Carolina (3-2, 0-2)

Next game: vs. Georgia Southern, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Quarterback T.J. Yates is frustrated after two futile weeks in which UNC scored 10 total points. The three points scored against previously winless Virginia were the Tar Heels' fewest in coach Butch Davis' 30-game tenure. "It's hard to pass the ball when your running game is not doing so well," Yates said. "It's hard to run the ball when your passing game is not going so well. We've got to get one going." A patchwork offensive line isn't helping.

Virginia (1-3, 1-0)

Next game: vs. Indiana, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

After giving up 37 points to Southern Miss, a different defense showed up in the 16-3 win at North Carolina.  Coach Al Groh showed the defense film of past UVA stars like end Chris Long and linebacker Darryl Blackstock. "They were so physical. It was like a 'hit first' mentality," safety Brandon Woods said. "You have to beat the guy in front of you every time and if you are beaten on a play, you have to come back with more tenacity and toughness on the next play." ... This is UVA's first meeting with Indiana.

Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-0)

Next game: vs. Boston College, noon Saturday

The No. 5 Hokies are facing Boston College for the fifth time in the past three seasons. The Eagles won regular-season meetings in 2007 and 2008, with the Hokies avenging each defeat in the ACC Championship Game… Who says Tyrod Taylor isn't a passing threat? The speedy junior threw for a career-high 327 yards against Duke, completing 10 passes for at least 15 yards.

Compiled by Larry Hartstein