WEEK 4: ACC FOOTBALL

NORTH CAROLINA @ GEORGIA TECH (-2.5), 12:00 PM, TV: RAYCOM (XM 191, Sirius 211)

USF (Bulls, 34,447 students, Tampa, FL) @ FLORIDA STATE (-14), 12:00 PM, TV: ESPNU (XM 190, Sirius 212)

WAKE FOREST @ BOSTON COLLEGE (-1), 2:00 PM, TV: ESPN360.com (XM 193, Sirius 216)

Rutgers (scarlet Knights, 38,902 students, New Brunswick, NJ) (-1.5) @ MARYLAND, 3:30 PM, TV: ESPN360.com (XM 241, Sirius 219)

MIAMI (-2.5) @ VIRGINIA TECH, 3:30 PM, TV: ABC / ESPN (XM 190, Sirius 212)

Pittsburgh (Panthers, 27,562 students, Pittsburgh, PA) @ N.C. STATE (-1), 3:30 PM, TV: ESPNU (XM 192, Sirius 213)

TCU (Horned Frogs, 8,696 students, Ft. Worth, TX) @ CLEMSON (-2.5), 3:30 PM, TV: ESPN360.com (XM 191/195, Sirius 211)

North Carolina Central (Eagles, 8,500 students, Durham, NC) @ DUKE (no line), 7:00 PM, TV: ACC Select (XM 191, Sirius 211)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"It's pretty sad. Right now, I'm still a die-hard Maryland fan but I've become more of an ACC fan now because all these other conferences are beating up on us. I'd like to see the ACC start rising back up again. I've even been rooting for Carolina lately, which is killing me."

- former Maryland golf coach and PGA pro Fred Funk on the Terrapins, who are 1-2 and face Rutgers today.

PICTURE(S) OF THE DAY

WINNER, WINNER, GAMECOCK DINNER. The South Carolina Gamecocks celebrate with fans after a 16-10 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels after their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 24, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina.

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

TRUNCATED T.A.H. DUE TO VP KUP

The annual Vice Presidents Kup at Hackberry Creek C.C. is scheduled today with a first-beer- open time of 8a.m. (or earlier if you’re really thirsty) and an 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.ish tee off. The annual Ryder Cup style golf match features a fair amount of bad blood between Team Chipman (the 2008 winner) and Team Reeves.

Unfortunately, a slight pall will hang over the event following the recent sudden death of Team Chipman’s Mike Burton. Burton, 52, was an integral part of the shenanigans and will be missed at this year’s renewal. Burton was a fan of Natural Light and the attached photo suggests the he may have had a can of his favorite adult malt beverage planned for a potential hip replacement.

Those surgeons, they’re clever.

Holes 19 through 27, a two-man scramble format, will be played in his honor with the winners receiving the prestigious Burton Trophy.

It may take the entire staff of T.A.H. until mid-day Saturday to resume functioning normally.

THURSDAY’S LINKS

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich: No Thursday night game for the ACC this week. What's a girl to do? Lunchtime links, that's what.

*Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe has suspended safety Junior Petit-Jean for the rest of the season for a violation of team rules. Even at role model Wake Forest "kids just do dumb stuff."

*Maryland safety Jamari McCullough's return from a high left ankle sprain will give the Terps' defense a much-needed boost.

*Clemson's special teams have had several special moments so far this year, and the Tigers are looking to continue that trend.

*BC's quarterback on defense, Mike McLaughlin (pictured above), should be back and ready to go -- finally -- this Saturday against Wake Forest. It will be a huge lift for the entire team, as this Big Mac is hungrier than ever.

*Here's the weekly ACC-SEC ranking as voted on by writers from papers in the Carolinas.

*It's time for Duke fans to see what running back Desmond Scott can do. Don't count out N.C. Central, though. Those guys are coming to play.

*The ACC hasn't backed down from playing big games early, and this weekend is no exception.

*Miami's offense is getting all the attention, but, as Jacory Harris pointed out, it's clicking because of the defense.

*Former BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski had to have seen this coming, and he left just in time.

*Here's an instant rewind of the last four times a ranked Miami team visited Virginia Tech.

*Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson has been defending his offense lately, but he says that's the least of his concerns right now.

*FSU running back Ty Jones has been more diligent about improving his running game, but also about taking care of his diabetes.

PICTURE(S) OF THE DAY

Rob Machado lost to Dane Reynolds during Round 4 of the Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif. These images are from ESPN, to check out the others go to Freeze Frame. (Photo by Sean Rowland/ASP/CI via Getty Images)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. steps back after knocking down Juan Manuel Marquez during their non-title welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas. (Photo by Laura Rauch/AP Photos)

California Bears tailback Jahvid Best leaps into the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Gophers in the first quarter at the TCF Bank Stadium. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/US Presswire)

A fan takes a photograph as a U.S. flag the length of the football field is rolled out before an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. (Photo by AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

THE VA-TECH CELEB STALKER AND THE GODFATHER OF GO-GO

This is the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown seen here in his work duds, and then seen below in his play clothes with Brian “Hokie Stalker” Scheulen.

After receiving the photo below, we consulted our Pop Culture Department as we weren’t really sure who the Godfather of Go-Go was/is?

Turns out that Go-Go is a sub-genre of funk, and it was developed in, and around, Washington, D.C. (not far from T.A.H. Worldwide Media Headquarters) in the mid- and late-1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of Go-Go music.

Brown's early hits include "I Need Some Money" and "Bustin' Loose". "Bustin' Loose" (used by Nelly in the smash hit Hot In Here) has been adopted by the Washington Nationals baseball team as its home run celebration song (so we know Brown ain’t getting rich on those royalties.)


He has influenced other Go-Go bands such as Big G and The Backyard Band, Rare Essence, Experience Unlimited (EU), Little Benny and the Masters, and Trouble Funk. (And don’t’ even try to tell us you know who they are.)

Brown is considered a local legend in Washington, D.C., and has appeared in television advertisements for the Washington Post and other area companies. Brown resides in Waldorf, Maryland.

So why was our celeb stalker lurking around Brown at the Tech v. Nebraska game looking for a photo op? Good question. Evidently, Brown's son, Nekos, is a defensive end/linebacker for the Hokies, and Brown never misses a home game.

Unfortunately, Brown came across the Scheulen Stalking Machine which has appeared here at T.A.H. with other Virginia Tech luminaries.

Who can forget this classic shot of head football coach Frank Beamer who looks to be about as happy to see Brian as a case of Swine Flu!

(Scheulen blamed Beamer’s countenance on “allergies” adding the pitifully lame declaration “honestly!”)

Nice, Brian, NICE!

Check out the Godfather of Go-Go’s web site. He’s got a cool groove.

WITH A NAME LIKE TERPILOWSKI AREN’T YOU SUPPOSED TO PLAY AMERICAN FOOTBALL FOR PENN STATE?

Afterall, the Nittany Lions starting center’s name is Stefen Wisniewski…

That’s a peach, hon…but, we digress.

Enter Gavin Terpilowski, an up-and-coming soccer star in the locale of T.A.H. Worldwide Media headquarters.

Terpilowski (Highland School 2010) has been tearing it up for the Highland Hawks lately recently tying a school record for most goals in a varsity soccer game.

His four goals ties the record shared by Jonathan Blackwell (PSU '08), and Chris Horner (Highland School '09). Against Virginia Episcopal, Terpilowski’s first goal was scored on a shot from the top of the box. Goal #2 came on a diving header. Goal #3 was a breakaway which put him one on one with the goalie, and goal #4 came in the final minute with a 30 yd shot over the goalie's head.

Already contemplating competing at the next level, Terpilowski is said to be considering ACC powerhouses Maryland, Duke and Wake Forest, as well as Georgetown and UCLA.

When subsequently asked how UCLA got in the mix, Terpilowski replied, "Well, I've heard that not every girl at UCLA is a 10; evidently there are a dozen 11s walking around."

When asked why UNC wasn't under consideration, his response was simply, "I've heard there might be a couple dozen 11s at that school, and that might be too much of a distraction."

Nice Gavin, NICE!

VIRGINIA COURT CASE RELEVANT TO ACC

According to sources close to T.A.H., a seven-year-old boy was at the center of an Albemarle County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents, and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody laws requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible.

The boy then surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents, and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said that they also beat him.

After considering the simple fact that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the University of Virginia Cavaliers football team, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

*Items in italics may not be true. But, they may be true in this case.

WEDENSDAY’S ESPN/DINICH LINKS

*Virginia Tech and Miami aren't the only teams playing this weekend.

*Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson tells it like it is, and right now, it's "not really good at anything right now." The Jackets are switching their defense with the hopes of simplifying things.

*Recruiting will be at stake this weekend when Maryland hosts Rutgers, as both coaches are interested in luring players from the opposing states.

*The Terps aren't the only ones who have recruiting on the mind.

*NC State is hoping its game against Pitt will help catch the attention of some Pennsylvania recruits.

*Expanding the search is even more important considering some top prospects in the state of North Carolina are leaving the state.

*One matchup to watch this weekend will be TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes #98 against Clemson right tackle Landon Walker.

*Duke and N.C. Central haven't played each other before, but they neighboring schools are hardly strangers.

*Miami's offense is more than just quarterback Jacory Harris, and that's what makes the Canes exciting.

*Much of the Canes success, though, can be attributed to the guys up front.

*Virginia Tech's Stephan Virgil might return in time for the Miami game.

*FSU's defense is creating big plays, but it's also giving them up.

*Wake Forest lost its starting tight end Ben Wooster #85 to a back injury.

DRAWING A CROWD. Tiger Woods hits a shot on the range during a practice round prior to the start of THE TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 23, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

A DAY AT THE RACES. Robert Winston on Agent Archie storm to victory in the EBF Goodwood Food Maiden Stakes at Goodwood racecourse on September 23, 2009 in Chichester, England.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

SWING, BATTER ,SWING. Kamran Akmal looks on as Tino Best of West Indies hits out during The ICC Champions Trophy Group A match between Pakistan and West Indies at Wanderers Stadium on September 23, 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images Europe)

T.A.H. HUMOR COLUMN OF THE WEEK

OK, it’s a sports blog, but we like to think we know a thing or two about humor. Occasionally, we come across things that are humorous, and we endeavor to share this with our loyal readers. Note recently, “Sucks To Be You,” - which is funny.

Recently T.A.H. Pop Culture Editor Young A.T. hipped us to this column in New Yorker magazine. No, we don’t regularly read New Yorker, or other such tomes of cosmopolitan interests, but we know people who do…

It’s called “Easy Cocktails from the Cursing Mommy.”

Sound funny? Well…it is.

Be advised, it may be the New Yorker, but there is a fair number of f-bombs. For example, "Please don’t f***ing tell me the Rose’s Lime Juice is not f***ing here."

Easy Cocktails from the Cursing Mommy by Ian Frazier.

Enjoy.

WHAT NEXT IN CHAPEL HILL, A 10:00 PM CURFEW?

Speaking of literature, the latest issue of Garden & Guns magazine (which calls itself “a Southern lifestyle magazine that's all about the magic of the new South - sporting culture, food, music, art, literature, people, and ideas” calls Chapel Hill, NC the “South’s most civilized town.”

Some UNC students busted for underage drinking might be thinking “up tight” or maybe even “police state” about “The Hill” after local police “responded to a complaint of loud talking outside soccer player Hank Browning's home at 703 N. Columbia St. about 10:30 p.m. Saturday.”

Nope, not a misprint – that was 10:30 pm on a SATURDAY for LOUD TALKING.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, police broke up an underage drinking party Saturday night and charged four Tar Heel athletes.

Senior swimmer Hank Browning, 22, was charged with providing a malt beverage to a minor. Senior women's swim captain A. Clemens, 20, junior freestyle swimmer R. Kane, 20, and redshirt soccer freshman P. Boneparth, 19, were all charged with underage possession of alcohol, according to Chapel Hill police reports.

Nice, “civilized neighbor," NICE!

Or as they say on SNL: Really?

ESPN/DINICH TUESDAY LINKS

*Virginia Tech's offense will get a tutorial on Saturday ... can the Hokies defense stop it?

*Good news for Georgia Tech in that Jonathan Dwyer has returned to practice, and he's not too concerned that the big plays have been missing for him so far this season.

*Maryland has some history with Rutgers, but when the Scarlet Knights come to town this weekend, they won't look like the Top 10 team the Terps upended two seasons ago.

*NC State coach Tom O'Brien likes phsyical football -- the kind Pitt plays. Not that "spread the field and play touch football stuff." Ha.

*Virginia rookie running back Dominique Wallace, who showed promise in the first three games, will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

*North Carolina hasn't defeated Georgia Tech in Atlanta since 1997, and the Heels are using it as motivation.

*Few teams have gone through as much transition as Boston College in recent years, and yes, said coach Frank Spaziani, it has an effect on the program.

*Here are the ACC's biggest offensive surprises so far this season.

*Like Miami and Clemson did, UNC began preparing for Georgia Tech this past summer.

*Is the Heisman talk for Jacory Harris a little premature?

*Six Clemson players have been sidelined with the flu, but school officials don't yet whether or not it's the big S.

*What's up with FSU's defense? The Noles have given up enough big plays for a whole year, yet they're making them, too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOSS

Today is Bruce Springsteen’s 60th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Boss.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

ACC AUTHOR. Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets (via Wake Forest) does a reading from his book titled "Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big" at the NBA Store on September 21, 2009 in New York City.

(Photo by Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

BAD SPELLERS. Tar Heel fans at last Saturday’s UNC v. East Carolina game.

Evidently, the "Es" had to go to the bathroom. Pre-game beers will do that.


(Photo by Tim Steadman/Icon SMI)

FOUR MORE YEARS OF BLOOD, SWEAT AND GARY?

Maryland men’s basketball coach Gary “Speed Stick” Williams has received a one-year extension on his contract, which could keep him at the job into 2013.

Williams’ contract includes automatic extensions for achieving benchmark standards by the Terrapins, both athletically and academically.

Williams is entering his 21st season as head coach at his alma mater. The extension takes the term of his contract through June 30, 2013.

He is the winningest coach in Maryland history (418) and ranks sixth nationally among active coaches with 625 victories (625-357) in 31 seasons overall.

WEEK 3: ACC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

OFFENSIVE BACK -- Jacory Harris, Miami, QB, So., 6-4, 190, Miami, Fla. (Northwestern) - For the second time in three weeks, Miami sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris was selected as the ACC Offensive Back of the Week. Both of Harris’ selections in 2009 have come after performances in prime-time games -- after a 38-34 win at No. 18 Florida State (Sept. 5) and a stellar game in a 33-17 win against 14th-ranked Georgia Tech Thursday night (Sept. 17) on ESPN. Harris helped Miami to its second straight conference win by completing 20 of 25 passes -- a career-high 80 percent completion rate -- for 270 yards and three touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN -- Rodney Hudson, Florida State, G, Jr., 6-2, 283, Mobile, Ala. (BC Rain) - Florida State guard Rodney Hudson became the second Seminole in as many weeks to be named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week in helping the Seminole offense rack up 54 points against seventh-ranked Brigham Young. The graded out at 88 percent and helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for 313 rushing yards, the most for Florida State since a 397-yard output against Virginia in 2002.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN -- Ricky Sapp, Clemson, DE, Sr., 6-4, 245, Bamberg, S.C. (Bamberg-Ehrhardt) - Clemson senior defensive end Ricky Sapp became the second Tiger to take home ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for helping the Clemson defense post numbers that the program has not seen in 20 years in a 25-7 win against Boston College. Sapp had four tackles, including three for losses of 18 yards, and two sacks. He also forced a fumble and tallied two quarterback hurries.

DEFENSIVE BACK -- Greg Reid. Florida State, CB, Fr., 5-9, 175, Valdosta, Ga. (Lowndes) - Florida State true freshman cornerback Greg Reid kept the Seminoles’ first-half momentum in its favor by beginning the second half with a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 54-28 upset win against seventh-ranked Brigham Young.

SPECIALIST -- Richard Jackson, Clemson, PK, Jr., 5-11, 190, Greer, S.C., (Riverside) - Clemson junior place-kicker Richard Jackson is the second Clemson specialist this season to earn ACC Specialist of the Week honors after tying an ACC single-game record with six field goals and tying a school record with 19 total points in a 25-7 win against Boston College. Despite all-day rain and two lightning delays, Jackson was a perfect 6-for-6 on field goal tries and converted attempts from 23, 33, 32, 52, 42, and 35 yards.

ROOKIE -- Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech, RB, Fr., 5-9, 205, Manassas, Va. (Stonewall Jackson) - For the second time in three weeks, Virginia Tech freshman running back Ryan Williams had the best performance of all first-year players in the league by posting 100 rushing yards for the second-straight game in a 16-15, come-from-behind win against No. 19 Nebraska. Williams gained 107 yards on 21 carries (5.1 ypc) and scored his sixth touchdown of the season, giving him an average of two scores per game over his first three collegiate games. Williams currently leads the league with 114.0 rushing yards per game.

MONDAY ACC LINKS

Via ESPN:

*After losing their first home game to a non-BCS opponent since 1997, is the Terps' season on the brink of disaster after just three games?

*Well, you think the Terps had it bad? BC coach Frank Spaziani said his offense is "broke." Forget 1997, how's this for making history: BC's 54 yards of total offense was its worst since 1980.

*Georgia Tech learned quickly that one good season doesn't change national perceptions. (One subpar performance, though, does.)

*Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder left everything he had on the field against BYU -- including part of his lip.

*Clemson's offense could be slowed against TCU because of injuries to left tackle Chris Hairston and running back C.J. Spiller, but coach Dabo Swinney said he won't consider resting them because it's a nonconference game.

*Duke coach David Cutcliffe insists he's not using a two-quarterback system, it's just that Thaddeus Lewis has not been 100 percent healthy.

*Miami tight end Jimmy Graham wanted to prove he is more than a basketball player, and so far, the former forward is doing just that.

*Despite their preseason hopes, Virginia's special teams haven't been so special.

*Here's a good rewind of the Nebraska game, and what might lie ahead for the Hokies.

*Every ACC team in the state of North Carolina but Duke pulled off a win this weekend.

WILSON SETS RECORD FOR COMPLETIONS WITHOUT A PICK

N.C.State quarterback Russell Wilson broke a national record in the third quarter on Saturday night.

Wilson's 13-yard pass to James Washington late in the third quarter gave him 326 consecutive passes without an interception dating back to a game against Clemson on Sept 13 of last year.

The crowd gave a hearty cheer as the video boards at Carter-Finley Stadium announced that Wilson had set the record.

Andre Woodson of Kentucky set the previous Division I-A/Football Bowl Subdivision record of 325 passes without an interception in 2006-07.

(Photo courtesy of Raleigh News & Observer)

FYF COLTS WIN AGAIN

Toly's Hansbrough's FYF Colts continued their run through the FYF Instructional League with a 8-3 victory over the FYF Redskins. (It could have been 9-3, we'll have to wait for league confirmation.)

The Colts' vaunted rushing game continues to give opponents fits while their defense remains solid especially in the crucial opening period.

Future all-pro, Justin L put on another spectacular show including a 55 yard reverse field cutback run which included a few moves he surely learned playing Madden Football.

Toly Hansbrough was credit with two 1/2 tackles...is that a whole tackle or just two halves?

He also recovered a Colts' fumble after a bobbled exchange. (Hey, look what I found!)

(Photos by T.A.H. Worldwide Media/BFP/Petty Photos)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

HUGE CATCH. Virginia Tech flanker Dyrell Roberts hauls in the game-winning touchdown as Nebraska defender Prince Amukamara, bottom, holds on during last minute of the second half of an NCAA college football game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.

The Hokies won the game 16-15.

(AP Photo/Steve Helber)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

TOUGH TURF. Florida State's Dekoda Watson celebrates with fans as he takes a piece of turf off the field for the FSU turf graveyard after beating BYU in an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.

Florida State beat BYU 54-28.

(AP Photo/George Frey)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

UGH, THEY DO DANCE LIKE CARMEN! Parrotheads perform during half-time as the Indianapolis Colts take on the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium on September 21, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Colts defeated the Dolphins 27-23.

Evidently, Buffett played a pre-game gig and the halftime show consisted of the Parrotheads “dancing” for “entertainment.”

Old white people dancing…that’s entertainment? Must be the economy.

The Colts won the game 27-23.

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 4

CAN BOXING MAKE A COMEBACK? Juan Manuel Marquez (l) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. battle in the ninth round of their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision.

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

WEEK 3: WINNERS AND LOSERS

BIG WINNERS: Miami, Virginia Tech and Florida State

WINNERS: North Carolina, Wake Forest, Clemson, N.C. State

LOSERS: Virginia, Boston College, Duke and Georgia Tech

BIG LOSER: Maryland

For more information, click here.

Now go watch an NFL game and we will catch up with you tomorrow.