Oct. 22, 2001

Chapel Hill, N.C. - University of North Carolina football players Julius Peppers and Darian Durant have been named ACC Players of the Week following their performances in Carolina's 38-3 win at Clemson on Saturday.

Peppers, who had a spectacular interception and a sack, was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week. It is the second time this season Peppers has earned that award. He also was honored following Carolina's 41-9 win over Florida State. A candidate for the Lombardi Award, Peppers now has 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks this season. He is three sacks shy of Greg Ellis' career record of 32.5. He was mentioned in today's USA Today as one of two players "On Fire" in the paper's Heisman Trophy notes.

Peppers, who has three interceptions this season, leads the Tar Heels in INTs and has more interceptions than any other defensive lineman in the country.

Durant, who was a perfect 11 of 11 and accounted for three touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 passing) was named the ACC Co-Rookie of the Week. Durant has won Rookie of the Week honors in four the of last five weeks.

Carolina has this weekend off and will not play again until Thursday, Nov. 1 at Georgia Tech.

******************

Defensive Lineman - Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina
Julius Peppers made five tackles and added a sack and an interception as North Carolina beat Clemson 38-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference action. The junior from Bailey, N.C., leads North Carolina and all defensive linemen around the nation with three interceptions. Peppers' interception against Clemson came at a crucial early stage of the game, as North Carolina led just 7-3 in the second quarter before the momentum-changing play. Peppers jumped high to deflect Clemson quarterback Woody Dantzler's pass and then lunged from his knees to catch the ball and complete an incredibly athletic display.

Rookie - Darian Durant, QB, North Carolina, Tony Hargrove, DE, Georgia Tech
Darian Durant was a perfect 11 for 11 on the day, passing for 97 yards and one touchdown in North Carolina's 38-3 victory over Clemson. The freshman from Florence, S.C., also rushed for two touchdowns on his own, engineering four scoring drives for the Tar Heels. With the game still close at 7-3 in the first half, Durant found Bosley Allen in the corner of the end zone with a 22-yard touchdown pass.