Colandrea, Bettridge pick up ACC weekly honors

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Atlantic Coast Conference office announced that Virginia placekicker Will Bettridge was named the ACC Specialist Player of the Week and quarterback Anthony Colandrea claimed ACC Rookie of the Week.

Colandrea, who takes home the award from the ACC for the second time this season, also was featured on the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 Quarterbacks list for week 12, was one of On3 True Freshman Weekly Standouts and was named the College Football Network Freshman of the Week.

Making his fifth start of the season, Colandrea was 21-for 30 with 278 yards passing and three touchdowns in Saturday’s 30-27 win over Duke. He added 66 rushing yards and was responsible for 344 yards of total offense. The win was his first as a starting quarterback at UVA. Colandrea is ninth in the ACC with a UVA freshman record, 1,715 yards passing on the year.

Bettridge was a perfect 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts against the Blue Devils and his final kick of 30 yards with 1:13 left proved to be the winning margin in the game. He also connected from 46 yards in the second quarter and was true from 21 yards with 3:43 on the clock in the fourth quarter. Bettridge has made 12-straight field goals from 39 yards and in and has made three field goals from 45 yards or more this season.

2023 UVA ACC Weekly Awards

Sept. 11 – Anthony Colandrea (Rookie of the Week)

Oct. 2 – Malik Washington (Receiver of the Week)

Oct. 23 – Malik Washington (Receiver of the Week)

Oct. 23 – James Jackson (Linebacker of the Week)

Oct. 30 – Malik Washington (Receiver of the Week)

Nov. 20 – Will Bettridge (Specialist of the Week)

Nov. 20 – Anthony Colandrea (Rookie of the Week)