After tallying a team-high 214 all-purpose yards and scoring on two runs of more than 50, Hurricanes freshman Randy “Duke” Johnson was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week on Tuesday.

“He’s a tremendous player. What else can you say? He had a good first outing,” UM coach Al Golden said. “I think he’s level-headed. I think he prepared the same way today as he did last week.

“I don’t follow what the other teams are doing. But I thought Duke’s effort should put him in the other realm — above the rookies. To be able to do that on the road in your first game — he should be compared to anybody in the league, not just the rookies. And I thought [right tackle] Ereck Flowers clearly grading out at 94 percent in your first start, taking 75 snaps, is exceptional.”

Eddie elation

What has elevated redshirt freshman Eddie Johnson to a starting role at strong side linebacker in the team’s latest depth chart?

“I see more consistency,” Golden said . “It showed up on game day. If you can contrast the play where he caused the fumble — that was who we were the other day. We made a mistake, but finished the play. We weren’t paralyzed by our mistakes, kept fighting, and Eddie’s play personifies that. He gets beat, chases and knocks the ball out. It’s hard to teach that aggressiveness and recklessness, and it’s good to see he had that [the] first time out.”

Henderson projection

UM offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said it’s unlikely backup right tackle Seantrel Henderson, who practiced with the regulars for the first time Tuesday, will switch to another position this week. As for Henderson’s projected playing time in Saturday’s game at Kansas State, Fisch: “I’m not sure about that. I got to watch the film.”