SEC Football: Best Performances from Week 8
On a weekend featuring several marquee matchups, the home teams reigned supreme as the SEC division races started to take shape after some surprising results.
Texas A&M kept it close until midway through the second half, but Alabama pulled away to win 33-14 while establishing itself as the premier team in the conference. The Crimson Tide will not be without some challengers though, as Auburn looks strong after a 56-3 trouncing of Arkansas and LSU may have turned a corner with its convincing 38-21 victory over Mississippi.
Missouri was the only host SEC team to lose on Saturday. The Tigers have an explosive offense, but their defense continues to be a major problem, as they fell 51-45 to Middle Tennessee State. Missouri was also the only SEC East team to drop a game in Week 8, with South Carolina beating Massachusetts 34-28, Kentucky downing Mississippi State 40-38 and Vanderbilt defeating Tennessee State 35-17.
As a result, several SEC players balled out on both sides of the ball. With that in mind, let us take a look at the top performers in the conference from Week 8. As always, this list is based on statistical output and the impact of the player's outing on his team moving forward.
Honorable Mentions
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- LB Bryson Allen-Williams, South Carolina
- QB Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
- DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
- QB Stephen Johnson, Kentucky
- K Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky
- LB Tim Williams, Alabama
The players listed above put together solid performances on Saturday, but they just missed out on making this list for various reasons.
Linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams was impressive against Massachusetts, racking up nine total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He made several key plays late to help secure the win, but another Gamecock stole the show with his play, which lands Allen-Williams just a mention.
A pair of SEC East quarterback were stout on a day where signal-callers struggled to shine. Nick Fitzgerald showed his dual-threat ability once again, rushing for 107 yards and two scores while also tossing a touchdown. Yet, his measly 81 yards and a pick throwing were not enough to make this list. Kentucky's Stephen Johnson flashed some arm talent as well, going for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wildcats needed a solid performance from their kicker to outlast the Bulldogs, as Austin MacGinnis knocked in four out of five field-goal attempts, including a 51-yard boot. However, he did have a crucial miss and his statistical production was surpassed by numerous other players who made this list.
Texas A&M underwhelmed on a huge stage Saturday, but its star player certainly came to play. Myles Garrett contributed seven total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. His defensive counterpart, Alabama's Tim Williams, had a pair of sacks, but both players did not do quite enough to find themselves on the top performers list this week.
Defensive statistics are courtesy South Carolina and Texas A&M athletics.
DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama
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Alabama scored its 12th non-offensive touchdown of the season on Saturday, and arguably its best defensive player was a major reason why.
Jonathan Allen was a menace on the edge, tying for second on the team with six total tackles to go with a sack and a 30-yard fumble recovery for a score. The touchdown came at a critical time in the game, because the contest was still in the balance in the third quarter before Alabama took control thanks to Allen's play.
The senior turned down the NFL draft after last year, and it seems to be paying off. Saturday's touchdown was his second of the season, and he looks destined for All-SEC honors and tremendous draft position at season's end.
Defensive statistics are courtesy of Alabama athletics.
DE Ryan Anderson, Alabama
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Allen was not the only Alabama defensive player who impressed against the Aggies, as Ryan Anderson put together an excellent performance.
Anderson only had four total tackles, but he definitely made them count. He had 3.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Anderson also did an outstanding job of containing the edge against a speedy back in Trayveon Williams, as the freshman only had 23 yards on nine carries.
Anderson may not get the same amount of attention others on Alabama's defense receive, but he is the team's most consistent defensive player. These types of outings have become the norm for this guy.
Defensive statistics are courtesy of Alabama athletics.
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WR Jeff Badet, Kentucky
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Kentucky is quietly becoming a player in the SEC East thanks to a dynamic offensive attack.
Jeff Badet was the latest Wildcat to ball out on Saturday, reeling in seven catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. With guys like C.J. Conrad, Garrett Johnson, Benjamin Snell and Stanley "Boom" Williams on offense, Kentucky may have one of the better skill position groups in the conference. Numerous players can hurt opposing defenses, and it was Badet's turn against the Bulldogs.
QB Jake Bentley, South Carolina
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South Carolina is struggling in its first season under Will Muschamp, but the Gamecocks may have found their quarterback of the future.
Freshman Jake Bentley looked poised and comfortable leading the offense. He finished with 201 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-26 passing, showing great arm talent and potential. Bentley received some praise for his leadership abilities too, per the Charleston Post and Courier's Gene Sapakoff.
“The quarterback is all-encompassing from a leadership standpoint and how you positively affect the guys around you,” head coach Will Muschamp said. “There’s no question that he has some very good qualities to do that.”
Bentley is very promising, and it appears South Carolina has the potential to turn its program around behind its new signal-caller.
RB Khari Blasingame, Vanderbilt
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Ralph Webb receives most of the attention as Vanderbilt's top rusher, but the Commodores found another impressive runner on Saturday.
Khari Blasingame ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries, getting most of the goal-line work and showing some strong power and shiftiness. Webb will likely earn All-SEC honors this season, but it appears opposing defenses will have to account for a pair of strong rushers moving forward.
RB Damarea Crockett, Missouri
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Missouri may have dropped its game to Middle Tennessee State in an abysmal effort, but its running back nearly willed his team to victory.
Damarea Crockett toted the rock 29 times for 156 yards and four touchdowns, which helped offset a streaky outing from quarterback Drew Lock, who went 20-of-40 passing.
This is the second straight strong performance from Crockett, who looks like a potential sleeper for All-SEC honors this season.
RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
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Although his Heisman chances have all but evaporated, Leonard Fournette is still dominating defenses despite dealing with an ankle injury.
The junior absolutely shredded a strong Mississippi defense, going for a staggering 284 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries. Fournette still had his usual power, shedding tackles with ease while consistently gaining extra yards after contact.
LSU looks much better in recent weeks with interim head coach Ed Orgeron, and it is doing so with an emphasis on the running game. Fournette, along with fellow running back Derrius Guice, is thriving with the new coaching staff, which could make the Bayou Bengals a player in the SEC West moving forward.
S Marcus McWilson, Kentucky
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Kentucky does not do too many impressive things on defense, but the Wildcats got a strong performance on Saturday from its senior safety.
Marcus McWilson was all over the field, racking up eight total tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. His pick was returned 45 yards for a score, which turned out to be the decisive touchdown in the game.
This was definitely the best individual performance from a Kentucky defender this season, and it could be something for the Wildcats to build off of moving forward.
Defensive statistics are courtesy of Kentucky athletics.
RB Kamryn Pettway, Auburn
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Without its top rusher in Kerryon Johnson, Auburn had no issues establishing the run in a total rout of Arkansas.
Bruising back Kamryn Pettway led the offense, carrying the ball 27 times for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed a variety of skills, running over defenders while having enough bounce to break off long runs on the edge.
Auburn now has one of the top running back tandems in the nation with Johnson and Pettway, which should help alleviate a pedestrian passing game. The Tigers did not even top 100 yards through the air against Arkansas, and Pettway's dominance was a major reason why.
LB Duke Riley, LSU
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LSU has returned to form a bit in large part due to a resurgence in physicality on defense, and Duke Riley is leading the charge from his linebacker spot.
Riley was phenomenal on Saturday, stifling Mississippi with 14 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. His tackle output led all SEC defenders in Week 8.
Along with Kendell Beckwith, Riley helps form one of the better linebacker groups in all of college football. LSU fans can expect these types of efforts every week from Riley.
Defensive statistics are courtesy of LSU athletics.
WR Stanton Truitt, Auburn
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Auburn's offense operates well with versatile athletes making plays from different positions. The team was missing that last season and for most of this season, but it looks like the Tigers have found their new playmaker.
Stanton Truitt was unstoppable on Saturday, gashing the Arkansas defense on seemingly every touch. He carried the ball eight times for 78 yards and two touchdowns to go with one catch for 45 yards and a score. With Johnson out, Auburn needed another ball-carrier to take some pressure off of Pettway, and Truitt came through in a big way.
The Tigers are now rolling as a team, and emerging stars like Truitt should help them contend for the SEC West this season.
All offensive statistics are courtesy of NCAA.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
