Florida State’s 31-24 win at Boston College delivered more than a road victory - it also put a pair of Seminoles in the ACC spotlight.
On Monday, the conference named fifth-year left tackle Xavier Chaplin the Offensive Lineman of the Week and freshman running back Amari Thomas the Rookie of the Week after both played major roles in the win.
Chaplin, a Beaufort, South Carolina native, was a force up front for an FSU offensive line that kept Boston College out of the sack column for the first time this season. He logged 70 snaps, posted a 97 percent effort grade and finished with five knockdown blocks. He also had eight blocks that resulted in a first down or touchdown, plus one game-winning block on Florida State’s final possession.
The performance was clean across the board. Chaplin did not miss an assignment and did not allow a quarterback pressure against the Eagles. He became the second Seminole to take home ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors, joining Andre Otto, who won the award against Virginia.
Thomas, who is from Marianna, earned his first ACC weekly honor after a career day in the backfield. He set personal bests with 19 carries for 98 yards and two rushing touchdowns, including the decisive score with 2:29 left. His 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter was the longest run of his career.
The freshman’s two-touchdown outing made him the sixth different Nole with multiple touchdowns in a game this season. He also became Florida State’s first freshman with multiple rushing touchdowns in an ACC road game since Dalvin Cook in 2014.
The last FSU running back to be named ACC Rookie of the Week was Lawrance Toafili in 2020.
Florida State closes out its road schedule Friday at Pitt, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.
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