Jackson repeats as ACC player of the year
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is once again the Atlantic Coast Conference’s player of the year.
The former Boynton Beach High star was selected both the conference’s overall and offensive player of the year for the second consecutive year. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner leads the FBS with 4,932 total yards. He leads the ACC with 3,489 yards passing, is tied for the lead with 25 touchdown passes and is tops in both rushing yards (1,443) and rushing touchdowns (17).
He is on the verge of becoming the first player in ACC history to lead the conference in rushing and passing. He is seventh all-time in NCAA history for rushing yards by a quarterback with 3,974.
Jackson had 51 of 59 votes for the overall award and 57 votes for the offensive honor.
Last season, Jackson threw for 3,543 yards and 30 touchdowns and rushed for 1,571 yards and 21 scores. Following the season, he won the Heisman, nearly doubling runner-up Deshaun Watson in voting totals.
In voting results also released Wednesday, North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb is the league’s defensive player of the year.
Chubb, who leads the league with 10 sacks and is second nationally with 26 tackles for loss, had 45 votes for the defensive award.
Mississippi State hires coach: Mississippi State hired Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead as coach, bringing in another up-and-comer who is largely in the mold of previous coach Dan Mullen.
The 44-year-old Moorhead replaces Mullen, who was named coach of the Gators on Sunday.
“I am thrilled to take the reins of an SEC program that has been as successful as this one has the past decade,” Moorhead said in a statement. “I look forward to getting to know the young men on our team, hiring a staff and hitting the recruiting trail quickly.”
Moorhead has been with Penn State the past two seasons, calling plays for one of the best offenses in the country. He previously was head coach at FCS Fordham.
“We couldn’t be happier for Joe Moorhead and his family,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for him to return to being a head coach and continue to move forward in his career.”
Oregon State hires former player: Washington’s co-offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith was hired by Oregon State to be the Beavers’ new coach, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.
The move was first reported by The Oregonian.
Smith is a former Beavers quarterback who has been working as quarterbacks coach for Chris Petersen since 2012, starting at Boise State and following him to Washington in 2014.
Smith ranks third on Oregon State’s career list with 55 touchdown passes and 9,680 passing yards.