For their standout performances in the Tar Heels’ 15-10 win against TCU, UNC defensive lineman Xavier Lewis and linebacker Derek McDonald have each been honored as ACC Players of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Lewis, a sophomore from Raleigh, posted the best game of his young career against the Horned Frogs. Lewis totaled seven tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, all career highs. His 4.5 tackles for loss were the most by a UNC player since 2024. Pro Football Focus gave Lewis a grade of 88.2 for his performance, the highest of any defensive player in the game. He was named the Aer Lingus College Football Classic MVP.

McDonald was playing in his first game as a Tar Heel after transferring to UNC from Syracuse in the offseason. After being named one of the team’s seven captains, McDonald finished Saturday with a game-high 11 tackles.

“D-Mac’s a great player,” UNC receiver Jordan Shipp said of his teammate and co-captain. “He’s an outspoken leader. He speaks a lot, especially to the defense. Making sure he’s always communicating.”

With Lewis and McDonald leading the way, UNC held TCU off the scoreboard for the game’s final 49 minutes and snapped the Horned Frogs’ streak of scoring at least 28 points in 30 consecutive non-conference regular season games. TCU had also scored at least 30 points in 10 consecutive season openers, and its 10 points scored were its fewest in a game since 2023.

Lewis, McDonald and the rest of the Tar Heels will be back in action Sep. 12 when they host East Tennessee State at Kenan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC-Chapel Hill

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