Duke Johnson Named ACC Rookie Of The Year
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Freshman Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson has been named the ACC's Rookie of the Year for 2012 while Duke head coach took home the conference's coach of the year honors Tuesday.
Johnson's win as rookie of the year is the first time a Miami freshman has ever won the award. Johnson was the Canes' biggest offensive weapon in 2012 breaking the 13-year-old school record for freshman previously held by Clinton Portis.
For the season, Johnson carried the ball 139 times for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns. Johnson averaged 6.8 yards per carry and 78.9 yards per game. He also caught 27 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass as well.
Johnson was also dynamic on kickoff returns gaining 892 yards on 27 returns for a 33 yard per return average, while bringing two kicks back for touchdowns.
"It means a lot being the first in Miami history to win this award," Johnson said. "And it means so much to me and the team because I couldn't do it without my teammates. And this is just another way to make my mom proud and show how I really appreciate the sacrifices she made for me when I was younger."
Cutcliffe did what no coach since 1994 had been able to pull off, taking Duke to a bowl game. The Blue Devils were in contention for the Coastal Division title until the final few weeks of the season. Duke finished the season at 6-6.
The one-time tutor to both Eli and Peyton Manning is 21-39 in five seasons at Duke and is the fourth Duke coach to win the award, but the first since 1994.
"This honor is both humbling and rewarding because of the quality of the coaches in our conference," Cutcliffe said.
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