Welcome to the Big Time: Best Freshman Performances 2000-2008

Freshman. The very word gives the impression of something original and new. What is it with freshman that impresses us so? Is it the idea of a younger, less experienced player outperforming the veteran?

In the current college football environment, freshman are gaining more and more importance. With players leaving early more frequently, the young players are given the opportunity to step up and prove themselves.

In this list I have compiled several outstanding performances by freshman since 2000.

I am aware that some have probably been omitted, but the list had to be cut off somewhere. I tried to include at least one freshman from each of the six BCS conferences. Enjoy!

Jacquizz Rodgers Sept. 25, '08 vs. No. 1 USC

Rodgers and the unranked Oregon State Beavers came into this game as a heavy underdog, to put it mildly. It would basically be like having Alfonso Soriano bat against Danny Haren, just flat unfair.

Behind Rodgers 5.0 yards per carry, and two touchdowns, the Oregon State team knocked off No. 1 unbeaten USC.

Southern Cal came into the contest with a much vaunted defense and National Championship hopes. They left with those hopes crushed and a defense that was run around, under, over and through by the speedy, 5'7" Rodgers.

Tyrell Sutton Oct. 8, '05 vs. No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers

Tyrell Sutton was a beast his freshman year. In this game against a very solid Wisconsin team, Sutton had three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.

He averaged 8.4 yards per carry and had 244 yards rushing.

The Badgers had a 5-0 record for the first time under head coach Barry Alverez and were just coming off a victory over Michigan. Sutton scored the eventual game-winning touchdown on a 62 yard run in the fourth quarter.

Another interesting side-note, Sutton never fumbled his freshman year in 250 attempts.

Demarco Murray Sept. 1, '07 vs. North Texas Mean Green

The Oklahoma Sooners started the 2007 season as the favorite to go undefeated in the Big 12. The only problems were a freshman running back, Demarco Murray, and a freshman quarterback Sam Bradford.

As we all know, Bradford turned into a superb college quarterback. Murray set the freshman record for most touchdowns in a first game by a freshman with five. He had 44 yard run, two 3 yard td runs and two 1 yard td runs. He posted a 5.1 yard per carry average while rushing for 87 yards Oklahoma won 79-10

Terrelle Pryor Oct. 4, '08 Vs. No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers

Where shall I begin...after a tumultuous signing period, culminating in his commitment to tOSU, Pryor had much to prove. When Oct. 4 rolled around, Pryor was starting his first road game. Against a ranked opponent. At night. On national television.

While not dazzling with his passing ability, Pryor manged to lead the Buckeyes to a 20-17 victory over No.18 Wisconsin. He rushed for the game-winning touchdown with 1:08 remaining in the game. Before this game, the Badgers had won 27 of 28 games at Camp Randall Stadium, including 16 in a row.

Michael Crabtree Sept. 22, '07 vs. Oklahoma State

Although the game ended in a loss for Texas Tech, and Crabtree dropped the potentially game-winning touchdown pass; his performance was stupendous for a true freshman.

Crabtree caught three touchdown passes, had a 16.9 yards per catch average, and had a total of 237 yards receiving, or more than most Big Ten teams total offensive production that week.

Luke McCown

Before Luke McCown was signing autographs in the NFL, he was setting multiple NCAA freshman quarterback records. McCown has the records for most completions in a game(against Auburn Oct. 21, '00), most pass attempts by a freshman (against Miami Oct. 28, '00).

McCown also holds the current record for most td passes by a freshman with six against LA.-Lafayette Oct. 14, '00.

Reggie Bush Dec. 4, '04 vs. UCLA

Reggie Bush romped for touchdown runs of 65 and 81 yards in this game, and USC triumphed over interstate rival UCLA to complete an undefeated regular season. Bush finished "The Game" with 204 yards on 15 carries for a 13.6 yard per carry average.

Adrian Peterson Oct. 30, '04 vs. No. 20 Oklahoma St. Cowboys

When Oklahoma went to Stillwater for a showdown with No. 20 Oklahoma State they were entering a difficult stretch of schedule. The Sooners were looking forward to a matchup with No. 17 Texas A&M.

Adrian Peterson only had 1 touchdown in the contest with OSU, an 80-yard romp in the third quarter, but he rushed for 249 yards and a 7.5 yards per carry average in the 38-35 Oklahoma squeaker.

Hakeem Nicks Nov. 4, '06 vs. No. 11 Notre Dame

Although Hakeem Nicks and his UNC teammates were on the short end of a 45-26 beatdown, Nicks showed flashes of brilliance and a portent of things to come.

Nicks had a 72 yard touchdown reception and averaged 28.5 yards per catch while gaining 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Robert Griffiin Oct. 11, '08 vs. Iowa State

Griffin had an 87.5 percent completion percentage in this game. 87.5 percent! He rushed for 1 touchdown and passed for two more while gaining 278 yards passing, and a 212.8 passer rating. I don't know how I can leave him off of this list, even if his performance was against the inept Cyclones.

Matthew Stafford Nov. 11, '06 vs. No. 5 Auburn

In "The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry" an unranked Geaorgia team with a freshman quarterback faced 8-1 No. 5 Auburn. Georgia came away with a 37-15 victory. Matthew Stafford was a big part of the upset, rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown and passing for 219 yards, no int, and another touchdown.

Steve Slaton Oct. 15, '05 vs. No. 19 Louisville

Steve Slaton turned in a memorable performance on this night. The game was tight, going into a third overtime. Slaton rushed for the game winner in the third overtime.

This touchdown was his SIXTH of the game. As a Freshman! Slaton scored five times rushing and one receiving touchdown, in one of the most memorable college football games in my lifetime.