Seminoles, Hokies, Cavs lead all-ACC team

Posted 6:06AM on Wednesday 8th December 2004 ( 20 years ago )

RALEIGH, N.C.- Florida State didn't enjoy quite the same success this season as before the Atlantic Coast Conference expanded to 11 teams. But the Seminoles still had a healthy share of the 2004 all-conference team. The Seminoles who had won all but one ACC title since joining the league in 1992 finished second this year, but still had a league-high eight selections to The Associated Press all-ACC team. The Seminoles (8-3, 6-2) finished second to newcomer Virginia Tech, which along with Virginia had seven all-league picks to headline the team released Tuesday. ``With the way the conference race went this year, I suspect everyone realizes just how good the football has become in this league,'' Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said. The Seminoles had three first-team selections, including senior offensive tackle Alex Barron, a first-team pick from last year. Defensive lineman Travis Johnson and defensive back Antonio Cromartie were also first-team picks in voting by 100 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. The Seminoles had five second-team picks, including running back Leon Washington and wide receiver Chauncey Stovall. The Hokies (10-2, 7-1) surely made themselves at home in their first year in a league they long wanted to join. Bryan Randall was the first-team quarterback, while defensive lineman Darryl Tapp, defensive back Jimmy Williams and place-kicker Brandon Pace were also first-team picks for the ACC champions. Virginia (8-3, 5-3) led the way with five first-team picks: the conference's No. 2 rusher in Alvin Pearman (985 yards), tight end Heath Miller, offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, offensive guard Elton Brown, and linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Miller is a two-time first-team pick, while Brown was the only player on every ballot. Brown, who earned the Jacobs blocking trophy as the league's top blocker for the second straight year, was the leading vote-getter with 196 points and was a first-team pick on 96 ballots. Miami, the other ACC newcomer, had six selections, led by first-team defensive back Antrel Rolle and specialist Devin Hester, who returned four kicks for touchdowns. Joining Pearman in the backfield for the first team was Wake Forest's Chris Barclay, who rushed for a league-best 1,010 yards. Clemson senior Airese Currie and Georgia Tech freshman Calvin Johnson were the wide receivers. Joining Barron, Ferguson and Brown on the offensive line were Maryland guard C.J. Brooks and North Carolina center Jason Brown. Rolle had 160 points to lead the first-team defense. He was joined in the secondary by Virginia Tech's Williams, Florida State's Cromartie and Georgia Tech's James Butler. Maryland's D'Qwell Jackson and Clemson's Leroy Hill joined Brooks as first-team linebackers. Virginia Tech's Tapp, FSU's Johnson, Maryland's Shawne Merriman and North Carolina State's Mario Williams anchored the defensive line. Wake Forest punter Ryan Plackemeier rounded out the team with his second straight first-team selection.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/12/145704