Clemson made its presence felt on both sides of the football against Virginia Tech, and two Tigers are being recognized for their contributions.
Defensive end Will Heldt was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, while kicker Nolan Hauser earned ACC Specialist of the Week honors following Clemson’s performance Saturday. The conference announced the selections Monday, Oct. 26.
The awards bring Clemson’s total to eight ACC weekly honors this season and 600 conference weekly awards dating back to 1968.
Will Heldt Keeps the Pressure on
Heldt delivered another disruptive performance up front, recording 2.0 sacks against Virginia Tech as Clemson finished with a season-high six sacks.
The two-sack outing matched Heldt’s career high for the fourth time and marked the third game this season in which he has recorded at least 2.0 sacks. According to the team’s release, that total tied North Carolina’s Xavier Lewis for the most such performances nationally this season.
Clemson’s six sacks against the Hokies were the program’s most in a game since recording six against Florida State in November 2025.
Heldt’s recognition marks his second ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week selection this season and the second of his career. He previously received the honor following Clemson’s September victory over North Carolina.
His latest award also carries historical significance. Heldt became the first Clemson defensive lineman to earn multiple weekly selections in one season since All-American Clelin Ferrell accomplished the feat in 2017.
He is also the fifth player during head coach Dabo Swinney’s tenure to record at least three games with two or more sacks in a single season, joining:
Da’Quan Bowers — five games in 2010
Andre Branch — three games in 2011
Vic Beasley — four games in 2013
Clelin Ferrell — three games in 2018
Heldt’s ability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks has helped make Clemson’s defensive front a major factor as the Tigers move deeper into conference play.
Nolan Hauser Makes History With His Leg
While Heldt made life difficult for Virginia Tech’s offense, Hauser delivered a complete performance on special teams.
The Clemson kicker converted all three of his field-goal attempts, connecting from 34, 49 and 36 yards. He also punted twice, including a career-long 63-yard boot in the second quarter that pinned Virginia Tech at its own 3-yard line.
That combination of accuracy, distance and field position made Hauser’s performance stand out beyond the kicking game.
Hauser became the first player in Clemson history to earn four ACC Specialist of the Week honors in a single season. He is also the first Tiger to collect four ACC weekly awards of any kind in one season since quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2020.
The latest selection brings Hauser to six career ACC weekly honors, tying him with Steve Fuller, Woodrow Dantzler and Will Shipley for the 10th-most in Clemson program history.
The Lou Groza Award candidate also reached a notable national milestone. According to Stats Perform, Hauser became the first Football Bowl Subdivision player since 2021 to make at least three field goals and record a punt of 60 or more yards in the same game.
His combination of a 49-yard field goal and a 63-yard punt placed him in another select group. He became the fifth FBS player since 2004 — and the first since 2014 — to record a field goal of at least 49 yards and a punt of at least 63 yards in one game.
What These Honors Mean for Clemson
Heldt and Hauser represent two different ways to change a football game.
Heldt’s pressure can disrupt an opponent’s timing, force hurried decisions and create opportunities for the rest of the defense. His repeated multi-sack performances demonstrate the kind of impact Clemson needs from its defensive line as it faces the remainder of its schedule.
Hauser’s contributions provide value in a different way. Reliable field-goal kicking helps turn scoring opportunities into points, while a long punt that traps an opponent near its own goal line can give the defense a significant field-position advantage.
Together, their performances highlight Clemson’s ability to make plays in critical phases of the game. The milestone of 600 ACC weekly awards also underscores the program’s long history of individual excellence within the conference.
Clemson Heads to Florida State Next
The Tigers’ next stop is Tallahassee, Florida, where they will face Florida State on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The matchup takes Clemson to Doak S. Campbell Stadium, the same venue where Hauser earned his first career ACC Specialist of the Week honor in 2024. He converted five field goals in Clemson’s victory over the Seminoles that season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
With Heldt coming off another disruptive outing and Hauser continuing a record-setting season, Clemson will look to carry that momentum into a key road matchup.
Source attribution: Clemson Athletics, Oct. 26, 2026.
