For the second time in a week, Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya has been recognized for his breakout performance this season.

Last week, Kaaya was voted both the offensive and overall ACC Rookie of the Year by members of the media. Wednesday, he earned the same offensive and overall Rookie of the Year as voted on by the conference's coaches.

But Kaaya--who threw for more than 2,900 yards and finished the regular season as the ACC leader in pass efficiency (148.2) and touchdown passes (25)--wasn't the only Hurricane honored by ACC coaches.

Running back Duke Johnson, who became Miami's all-time leader in both rushing yards and all-purpose yards this season, was voted a first-team All-ACC selection along with offensive lineman Shane McDermott and linebacker Denzel Perryman.

Earning second team honors were receiver Phillip Dorsett, tight end Clive Walford, and offensive lineman Ereck Flowers. The Hurricanes also had two players, defensive end Anthony Chickillo and punter Justin Vogel, earn third team honors.

Rounding out the list of Hurricanes earning spots on the coaches' All-ACC team were honorable mention picks Jon Feliciano, Deon Bush, Olsen Pierre, and Artie Burns.

The Hurricanes (6-6, 3-5 ACC) will begin practice later this week in preparation for a Dec. 27th Independence Bowl matchup against South Carolina and Kaaya and several of his teammates say they're hopeful a win will send them into the off-season on a high night after the Hurricanes lost three straight to finish the regular season.

“Everyone knows that winning this game would be a good way to send the seniors off. We couldn’t do that last game. I think for us, the biggest thing is knowing that Miami hasn’t won a bowl game for some time now and we can change that trend.”

Kaaya also said that after being in Charlotte this past weekend to pick up his ACC media awards, he wants to make sure his next visit there includes the rest of his teammates and a chance to play for next year's conference championship.

“It was a huge honor, but at the same time it was bittersweet," Kaaya said earlier this week of his ACC media awards. "I would have much rather been playing in the ACC championship game in Charlotte than receiving an award. The award is great. It’s a reflection of the work that me and my teammates have put in. All the guys around me, I couldn’t have done it without all those guys on offense and defense too. But at the same time, I wish that we could have been playing in Charlotte and I’d have been there with my whole team instead of just me and Duke.”

Johnson was honored last week by the ACC after being named the conference's Brian Piccolo Award winner, which is given annually to the league's "most courageous" player. His record-breaking year came after he fractured his ankle and needed season-ending surgery.



