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Clemson's Swinney coins 'Dos Ocho'
By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

CLEMSON, S.C.(AP) -- Clemson's Dabo Swinney has an idea how to get
star tailback C.J. Spiller a bit more attention in his Heisman
Trophy drive.

And the Tigers' head coach isn't afraid to steal a publicity
stunt by Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson.

"I am going to officially change (Spiller's) name, in hopes of
creating more awareness, he is officially, 'Dos Ocho,'
two-eight. He is officially C.J. "Dos Ocho" Spiller. Maybe some
people will figure him out then."

Swinney's been on a hardcore campaign the past few weeks to get
his No. 28, Spiller, to New York City as one of Heisman Trophy
finalists. Spiller's done his share on the field to wow
potential voters as well.

He set a school record with 310 all-purpose yards in No. 18
Clemson's 40-37 overtime win at Miami, then broke the mark with
312 two games later in a 40-24 victory over Florida State.

"I don't know what else we have to do to recognize what he's
done," Swinney said.

Spiller would be proud to represent Clemson at the New York
Heisman announcement.

The Tigers (7-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) can take another
big step for Spiller and their team goals on Saturday. Clemson
can wrap up the ACC's Atlantic Division and gain a spot in the
league's championship game with a win over Virginia (3-7, 2-4).

Spiller plays his final game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
His favorite Death Valley moments? Clemson's 31-7 over Georgia
Tech in 2006 when he had a 50-yard touchdown run and a 50-yard
TD catch as a freshman, and two games ago against Florida State,
the team he grew up pulling for Lake Butler, Fla.

Swinney's highlight?

"When he said he was staying at Clemson" last January, Swinney
said.

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HERZLICH AWARD: Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich was
picked for the Disney Spirit Award given each year to college
football's most inspirational figure.

Herzlich recently overcame a rare form of bone cancer. Last
year's Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year
also helped bring about over $120,000 in donations for
cancer-related causes.

Herzlich, who sat out this season but expects to play next year,
will receive the award Dec. 10 in Orlando, Fla.

"The Disney Spirit Award is an award that means more to me than
any award based on statistics and on-the-field achievements,"
Herzlich said. "I have had to battle a deadly rare disease this
past year and, along with beating the disease, I was fortunate
to be able to help others along the way."

This summer, Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a
malignant tumor that most frequently appears in soft tissue or
bone. Herzlich's final treatment came earlier this month. He's
announced that he's cancer free.

Herzlich will have a rod put his leg to support and strengthen
the bone with an eye toward a 2010 return.

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PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT: North Carolina's Butch Davis is getting
some support from the professional ranks.

During last weekend's upset of Miami, North Carolina had former
Tar Heel receiver and NFL rookie Hakeem Nicks on its sideline.
Last month, current Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius
Peppers joined famed retired linebacker Lawrence Taylor on the
sideline for the home game against Florida State.

It's something Davis said is key to continuing his rebuilding
efforts at the program.

"I want to try to reconnect this entire football program with
every generation that's ever played at Carolina," Davis said. "I
don't care what coach they played for, I don't care when they
went to school.

"I think it's very important to the program. Kids on the
sideline, they love to see the guys - some that they've played
with, some they've only read about or seen in the National
Football League."

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PLAYING FOR PRIDE: With a 3-7 record and no chance of going to a
bowl game for the third time in four years, many Virginia
players have said what they play for now is pride.

Head coach Al Groh has a theory on why that is.

"I think perhaps players say that because they've heard it or
it's the answer to a question: `Now that you guys aren't playing
for the championship, are you playing for pride?' And the reason
I preface my answer with that is I thought that's what we were
doing every week.

"You know, I thought we were trying to prove something every
week. I thought we were playing for pride every week. So I think
you hear it at the end of the season because players have heard
other players say it, or as I said, the question gets posed that
way."

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FAST START: Florida State's EJ Manuel didn't let the rust get in
the way of a stellar performance last week.

Manuel got the start for injured Seminoles quarterback Christian
Ponder last week at Wake Forest and responded by winning
Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the week honors.

Manuel said he felt there were times he tried to do too much.
Turns out he did about everything right in a 41-28 win over the
Demon Deacons, passing for 220 yards and rushing for 45 more.

Manuel went 15 of 20 passing with a touchdown and an
interception.

"It's been a long time since I played a football game," said
Manuel, a redshirt freshman. "It was fun. ... I was surprised
how fun it was. It was a lot more fun than high school with all
these weapons out here."

The Seminoles (5-5, 3-4) close out ACC play against Maryland.
After that comes the rivalry with No. 1 Florida.

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TOP ASSISTANT: A big reason for Duke's improved season gained a
national award.

The Blue Devils second-year defensive coordinator, Mike
McIntyre, was named the national assistant coach of the year by
the American Football Coaches Association.

With two regular-season games left, Duke (5-5, 3-3) remains in
the hunt for a bowl game, in large part because of its defensive
play. For the first time in 15 seasons, the Blue Devils held
three straight ACC opponents (Maryland, Virginia and North
Carolina) to fewer than 20 points.

In 2008, Duke's defense gave up the program's fewest average
points in 20 seasons (23.4 a game) and held three opponents to
less than 10 points for the first time since 1976.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe said McIntyre deserved the
recognition. "Mike is one of the finest football coaches I've
been around over the course of my career," Cutcliffe said. "I
couldn't be happier for Mike to receive this award."

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AP Sports Writers Aaron Beard in Chapel Hill, N.C., and Hank
Kurz Jr. in Richmond, Va., contributed to this report.