Two stand-out players on UNC football’s defensive unit earned recognition from the ACC after stellar performances against Pitt on Saturday.

Senior Kaimon Rucker and junior Alijah Huzzie earned spots on the conference’s Players of the Week list at their positions. Rucker — who plays the jack position on for the Tar Heels and also earned all-conference recognition after the season opener against South Carolina — earned the top defensive lineman honor after finishing with two sacks and two tackles for loss. One of those sacks came on Pitt’s final drive in the fourth quarter.

One play later, Huzzie snagged an interception to ice the game for Carolina. While the defensive back finished with two takeaways on the night, his recognition by the conference was instead at the specialist position. Huzzie, who returns punts for UNC, ran for a 52-yard touchdown off a Pitt punt in the second quarter to put the Tar Heels ahead of the Panthers. Carolina would lead for the rest of the game, winning it 41-24.

The East Tennessee State transfer’s punt-return touchdown marked the first for the program in nearly five seasons and another solid run Saturday evening put his game average at 40.5 yards per return.

Carolina (4-0) heads into a bye week and will return to action on October 7 as they host Syracuse (4-0). The ACC announced Monday that kick-off for the matchup is set for 3:30 p.m. in Kenan Stadium.

To read the full ACC Players of the Week list for Week 4, click here.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

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