There were some big performances this weekend in college football, so let’s have a quick look at my Week 8 heroes.
Cody Kessler
The USC quarterback broke a school record – held by his illustrious predecessor, Matt Barkley – on Saturday, throwing for seven touchdown passes (five of them in the first half, which is also a school record) as the Trojans celebrated Homecoming with a strong 56-28.
Kessler completed 19-26 for 319 and his seven scores. USC were up 35-7 at the half, and 42-7 after on the second play of the third quarter, where Kessler hit receiver Nelson Agholor for 75 yards. It was over well before that.
Florida State’s defence
Fitting that one of the games of the season so far came down to the last minute, and to a crucial goal-line stand for the Seminoles defence. Yes, they were aided by a somewhat-questionable offensive pass interference call that negated a game-winning touchdown for Notre Dame, but the FSU defence came up with some giant plays late in the contest to stall the Irish. They eventually came up with the game-sealing interception.
As good as the ‘Noles offense was in the second half, their defence was better. When it mattered the most, they stood up. Famous 31-27 victory for Jimbo Fisher’s squad, and a genuine team effort.
Ameer Abdullah
The Nebraska running back pretty much single-handedly beat Northwestern in Evanston. He carried the football 23 times for 146 yards (at 6.3 yards per carry, if you don’t mind) and four scores as the Cornhuskers kept the Wildcats scoreless in the second half, en-route to a 38-17 win.
Devontae Booker
The Utah running back had 229 yards and three touchdowns – including the game-winning score in the second overtime – as the Utes eked out a tight 29-23 victory over Oregon State on Friday night. Booker’s effort is the fifth-best rushing total in Utah football history.
Minnesota
The surprise packet of the Big 10 keeps on surprising. The Gophers outlasted Purdue 39-38 to take command of the Western division of their conference, and they’re Bowl eligible after only seven games. Jerry Kill should be in line for coach of the year honours the way he’s got his team – and especially it’s running game – going. The only game the Gophers have dropped this year was against TCU, which isn’t a bad loss, is it?
Alabama’s Offense
All week, actually, for the last few weeks, we’ve been hearing about how Lane Kiffin has killed the Crimson Tide’s offense. Well, Kiffin and his players sent one hell of a message to the rest of the college football world in Tuscaloosa on Saturday afternoon, where Blake Sims, TJ Yeldon and Amari Cooper helped the Tide to a 59-0 annihilation of Texas A&M. Yeah, Alabama are back in town, and if Kiffin’s offense produces like that every week, be very afraid.
Nick Chubb
A star unearthed here. Pressed into starting duties for Georgia following the suspension of star back Todd Gurley, Chubb had himself a day out against Arkansas, notching 202 yards on 30 carries (7.1 yards per rush) and two scores. The Dawgs survived a late Arkansas rally for a 45-32 win on the road. For the second week in a row, it’s a case of, no Gurley, no Worries for Georgia.
Clint Trickett
The West Virginia quarterback led his unranked and mostly-unheralded team to a surprising victory over previously-undefeated Baylor. He out-duelled Bryce Petty as the Mountaineers recorded a 41-27 win. Trickett was 23-35 for 322 yards and three scores. The maturation of the Florida State transfer has been impressive.
Jake Waters
The Kansas State quarterback led his Wildcats into Norman, Oklahoma and came out with a 31-30 victory over warm favourites. Nearly everything K-State did offensively came via Waters. He was 15-23 for 225 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and added 51 rush yards on 10 carries, and a further touchdown. Big win for the Wildcats, who might be the best team in the conference at the moment.
Rakeem Cato
The Marshall quarterback set an FBS record on Saturday, throwing a touchdown pass for the 39th consecutive game. Oh yeah, and the Thundering Herd remain undefeated, ousting Florida International 45-13.
Notre Dame
The Irish were beaten by Florida State in Tallahassee but far from disgraced in the process. Right now, they’re on the outside looking in as far as sneaking into the four-team playoff goes, but with the sort of carnage we’ve seen in the national rankings over the last few weeks, a one-loss Irish yet might get a slot in the playoff. Brian Kelly’s squad lost no admirers on Saturday night.
Nelson Agholor
The USC receiver benefited from Cody Kessler’s record-setting day, snagging six catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard effort to open the second half.
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