College Football's 50 Most Outstanding Single-Game Performances of 2011

College football features an average of 12 games per team. Approximately 20 players per team. 120 FBS teams.

The ingredients above give us 28,800 individual performances to consider in our rankings of the top 50 outstanding performances. Narrowing it down to 50 means we're talking about the top 0.17 percent! A sixth of a percent.

The performances take into consideration stats, when the stats came, quality of opponent and lasting impact. Just to be considered is a remarkable achievement.

Many of the slides will contain full highlight packages of the player's game. Others will be an individual play. Each slide will give the player's stat line and a description of what made the game so special beyond the stats.

One important thing to consider: Fair or not, in an attempt to keep the list from becoming flooded with the same people over and over, the list is limited to one performance per player.

So sorry, Robert Griffin III fans—he's only on here once, just like everyone else.

Enjoy!

50. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina: Week 2 vs. Georgia

The Box Score: 1 assist, 1 FR; 1 rush, 68 yards, 2 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Melvin Ingram was involved in all facets of the game against Georgia. In addition to his traditional defensive end duties, Ingram was involved in a fake punt that went for a 68-yard touchdown.

The game developed into a shootout, but he sealed the win with a late fumble return for a touchdown.

Two touchdowns for a defensive player, one on a 68-yard rushing touchdown, is tough to beat.

49. Luke Kuechly, Boston College: Week 3 vs. Duke

The Box Score: 17 solos, 6 assists

Beyond the Box Score: Luke Kuechly would lead the nation in tackles by far. Additionally, he is second all-time in career tackles, and he would easily shatter the record if he were to return next season.

His 17 solos against Duke is the most of any player this season.

48. Danny Trevathan, Kentucky: Week 12 vs. Georgia

The Box Score: 12 solos, 5 assists, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 FF

Beyond the Box Score: Kentucky nearly spoiled Georgia's season with a late upset, and Trevathan played a large part in the effort.

His first forced fumble gave the Wildcats the ball deep in Georgia territory. A few plays later, the Wildcats would score their only touchdown of the game. He then kept the Wildcats in the game with another forced fumble late in the fourth quarter, but the offense could not convert.

47. Jarius Wright, Arkansas: Week 5 vs. Texas A&M

The Box Score: 13 receptions, 281 yards, 2 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Wright caught an early 68-yard touchdown pass to keep the Hogs in the game. Still, Arkansas trailed 35-17 entering halftime.

Wright then exploded in the second half. Wright first recovered teammate Cobi Hamilton's fumble in the end zone. Then he caught two passes on the final drive to get the Hogs into scoring position.

46. Bernard Pierce, Temple: Week 4 vs. Maryland

The Box Score: 32 rushes, 149 yards, 5 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Temple traveled to Maryland early in the season and completely dominated the Terps. Pierce scored five touchdowns, a school record.

Temple had three drives in the first quarter, all of which were capped off with Pierce touchdowns. It would be all the Owls needed, as they went on to win 38-7.

45. Marqise Lee, USC: Week 12 vs. Oregon

The Box Score: 8 catches, 187 yards, 1 TD, 1 rush, 4 yards, 6 kick returns for 134 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Lee had 321 total yards in the Trojans' big upset over Oregon in Eugene. It was his national coming-out party, as teammate Robert Woods wasn't 100 percent.

Lee's touchdown can be seen here. It was a sign of things to come, as Oregon had trouble covering the freshman all day.

Lee also played an integral role in the kick return game. After the Ducks' first touchdown, Lee returned the ball to the 50-yard line. The Trojans would quickly score, answering the Ducks.

44. Antonio Allen, South Carolina: Week 1 vs. ECU

The Box Score: 7 solos, 9 assists, 0.5 TFL, 1 pass broken up, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD

Beyond the Box Score: South Carolina didn't play its best game in the opener against ECU. The game would develop into a shootout with the Gamecocks escaping, 56-37.

South Carolina entered the second half trailing 24-14. It desperately needed a momentum swing, and it got it. Allen forced a fumble on the second play of the half. Four plays later, South Carolina scored to cut the lead to three.

Then we have the attached video.

Just four minutes after forcing his first fumble, Allen forced another one, returning this one for a TD. All in all, South Carolina scored 21 points in 4:20.

43. Travis Johnson, San Jose State: Week 6 vs. Hawaii

The Box Score: 5 solos, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 blocked kicks

Beyond the Box Score: Travis Johnson's two sacks and three TFLs are great but only tell part of the story. His blocked kicks would ultimately decide the game.

Hawaii scored in the fourth quarter to take a 27-20 lead. Johnson blocked the extra-point attempt, and Duke Ihenacho returned it for two points, making the score 27-22 as opposed to 28-20.

Later on, Hawaii was threatening. Johnson sacked QB Bryant Moniz to force a field-goal attempt and then blocked the field goal. This kept it a 27-22 game.

San Jose State would score in the waning moments to win 28-27.

It's safe to say that Johnson contributed at least a six-point swing, if not more. That's plenty in a one-point win.

42. Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma: Week 5 vs. Ball State

The Box Score: 3 solos, 2 assists, 3 INTs

Beyond the Box Score: Forget about the level of competition. Three interceptions is a big deal. Watch the second interception at 0:47, and you'll see that Jefferson deserves every bit of the accolades he can get from this performance against Ball State.

41. Trent Richardson, Alabama: Week 7 vs. Ole Miss

The Box Score: 17 rushes for 183 yards, 4 TDs, 2 catches for 30 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Richardson wasn't needed much late in the game; otherwise his yard total would be much higher. Still, he scored on over 20 percent of his touches and averaged over 10 yards per touch.

This 76-yard touchdown run came halfway through the third quarter. The run is incredible and put the game to bed. The Tide would roll to a 52-7 win.

40. Frank Alexander, Oklahoma: Week 6 vs. Texas

The Box Score: 5 solos, 1 assist, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 hurry, 1 pass breakup, 1 FF

Beyond the Box Score: Alexander was in Texas' backfield all day. The score was close entering the second quarter, but constant pressure and a sack from Alexander held the Horns to just 38 yards in the quarter.

The Sooners outscored the Horns 28-7 in the quarter and would go on to win 55-17.

39. Kendall Wright, Baylor: Week 5 vs. Kansas State

The Box Score: 9 catches, 201 yards, 3 TDs, 1 rush, 19 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Is there a more under-appreciated player in the nation than Kendall Wright? The receiver is second in the nation in receiving yards and played an integral role in RGIII's Heisman campaign.

This tightrope act gave the Bears the lead early in the second quarter. With Kansas State threatening in the third, Wright would add two touchdowns in the quarter to give Baylor a nine-point lead.

Ultimately, it wouldn't be enough. KSU would score 10 unanswered in the fourth to win, 36-35.

38. Chris Polk, Washington: Week 9 vs. Arizona

The Box Score: 34 rushes, 144 yards, 4 TDs, 4 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD

Beyond the Box Score: Polk put the Huskies on his back in this late October contest against the Wildcats. He only had one touchdown in the first half, and the Huskies led 14-13.

Polk would then score all four touchdowns in the second half: two in the third, two in the fourth.

The fourth-quarter touchdowns were the biggest. The Huskies trailed by three with only 10 minutes left when Polk found the end zone. A few minutes later, Polk added his fifth touchdown to give the Huskies a 42-31 win.

37. Robert Woods, USC: Week 5 vs. Arizona

The Box Score: 14 rec, 255 yards, 2 TDs; 3 kick returns, 77 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Woods had a magnificent sophomore year. He was the No. 1 target early in the season but would regress slightly with nagging injuries down the stretch (but never missed a game).

Woods would score an 82-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. Woods then caught a TD pass on the first drive of the second half, padding USC's lead to 34-12. The Trojans would need every point Woods put up, as they finished with a 48-41 win.

36. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Week 6 vs. UConn

The Box Score: 27-of-45, 450 yards, 4 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Smith had a great year in Dana Holgorsen's pass-happy offense. With another year under his belt, the Mountaineers could be very dangerous next season (and they won the Big East this year!).

Smith "only" threw for 179 and zero TDs in the first half. As a result, WVU held a small 10-9 lead. 

Like any great player, Smith took over in the second half. He threw for 271 yards and four TDs in the final 30 minutes, and WVU walked away with a 43-16 win.

35. Tevin McDonald, UCLA: Week 9 vs. Cal

The Box Score: 3 interceptions, 3 solos, 1 Pass Break-up

Beyond the Box Score: The throws from Cal's Zach Maynard aren't the best, but that shouldn't take away anything from McDonald's performance.

Two of McDonald's interceptions came deep in UCLA's territory. It kept the Bruins in the game early and would ultimately prove the difference as the Bruins went on to win, 31-14.

34. A.J. Jenkins, Illinois: Week 5 vs. Northwestern

The Box Score: 12 catches for 268 yards, 3 TDs, 4 kick returns for 60 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Northwestern could not cover A.J. Jenkins if its life depended on it. The senior would tally 268 yards and three touchdowns, but it was when the catches were made that was so important.

Illinois trailed the Wildcats, 28-10, late in the third quarter, but two Jenkins touchdowns cut the lead to five.

The Illini still trailed with less than one minute left. Jenkins would catch a 28-yard pass on the first play of the drive to get the ball into Northwestern territory. Illinois would score a few plays later and steal the win, 38-35.

Jenkins' 268 yards is a school record, and he was named co-National Wide Receiver of the Week.

33. Jordan White, Western Michigan: Week 11 vs. Toledo

The Box Score: 16 catches for 238 yards, 3 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Jordan White led the nation in receptions and yards, finishing with 127 and 1,646, respectively.

His effort in the nationally televised game against Toledo showed the rest of the nation how special of a player he is.

White gave the Broncos an early 14-0 lead and then cut the lead to seven late in the third. WMU would later tie it at 49, but White's efforts fell short. The Broncos fell 66-63.

32. Milton Howell, Tulsa: Week 9 vs. SMU

The Box Score: 3 Interceptions, 3 solos, 1 TFL, 1 Pass Breakup

Beyond the Box Score: Howell's game against SMU was the lone bright spot on the season for Tulsa's 118th-ranked pass defense.

Howell and the Golden Hurricane held June Jones' alleged high-powered offense to just 180 yards through the air.

All three interceptions came in the first half as Tulsa cruised to an early 24-0 lead. It would easily win, 38-7.

31. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois: Week 7 vs. Western Michigan

The Box Score: 14-of-27, 203 yards, INT; 14 rushes, 229 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Harnish is the definition of a dual-threat QB, as he rushed for 1,382 yards and threw for 2,942 on the season. His most balanced effort came against WMU. Harnish eclipsed 200 yards on both the ground and through the air.

The Huskies were in a bit of tailspin early in the season. They were 3-3 entering the game and trailed, 15-13, at the half.

Harnish would then lead the Huskies on six straight scoring drives. The Huskies would end up blowing out the Broncos 51-22.

The Huskies haven't lost since.

30. Collin Klein, Kansas State: Week 11 vs. Texas A&M

The Box Score: 17-of-27, 281 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 35 rushes for 103 yards, 5 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Another great rushing QB, Klein would finish second in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 26.

Nearly a fifth of them came in this four-overtime thriller against Texas A&M.

Two touchdowns came in overtime. The first was the first play in the third overtime, a 25-yard rush. The second was the final play of the game, as Klein rushed in from one yard out to give the Wildcats a 53-50 win.

29. T.Y. Hilton, Florida International: Week 2 vs. Louisville

The Box Score: 7 rec, 201 yards, 2 TDs; 2 kick returns, 61 yards

Beyond the Box Score: T.Y. Hilton has emerged as a big-time playmaker and a potential first-day selection in the NFL draft.

Against Louisville, he was unstoppable. He had two 70-yard-plus touchdowns in the second quarter to build a 21-3 lead. His kick returns gave FIU great field position all day.

If there were a football equivalent to baseball's "five-tool player," it would be Hilton. He returns kicks and punts, lines up at receiver and also receives handoffs. He will be very attractive to NFL teams.

28. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina: Week 3 vs. Navy

The Box Score: 37 rushes, 246 yards, 3 TDs; 4 receptions, 25 yards

Beyond the Box Score: South Carolina ran Lattimore left, center and right when he was healthy. He was one of the bigger workhorses in the nation.

His game against Navy was no exception. Lattimore would touch the ball 41 times for a total of 271 yards.

The Gamecocks needed every yard Lattimore contributed. He scored every touchdown, the final one coming in the fourth quarter to put the team ahead 24-21—the eventual final score.

27. Rodney McLeod, Virginia: Week 10 vs. Maryland

The Box Score: 3 interceptions, 3 solos, 4 assists, 1 pass breakup

Beyond the Box Score: Our final three-interception entry on the list, McLeod was the most active in other facets of the game.

Virginia only led 14-13 at the half. At that point, McLeod didn't have an interception. He would make one interception in the third quarter as the Cavs built a 28-13 lead. He then iced it in the fourth with two more picks.

Virginia would win, 31-13, and become bowl eligible.

26. LaMichael James, Oregon: Week 4 vs. Arizona

The Box Score: 23 rushes, 288 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 15 yards

Beyond the Box Score: James could have totaled 400 yards if they kept giving him the ball. No one on Arizona could match his speed. He would have to settle for just 303 total yards, averaging over 12 yards per touch.

His 288 yards was also a Ducks record.

25. Eric Page, Toledo: Week 10 vs. Northern Illinois

The Box Score: 9 receptions, 149 yards, 5 touchdowns; 3 kick returns, 101 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Page was all over the field against NIU. He caught five touchdowns and helped immensely in the kick return game.

He was the only Rocket to score in the first half, scoring three touchdowns to keep Toledo in the game. Another touchdown in the third quarter gave Toledo the lead.

Toledo trailed by eight halfway through the fourth. Page would return a kickoff to the NIU setting up a touchdown to...himself, plays later. His fifth touchdown cut the deficit to two.

Toledo led the game with less than a minute left, but it wasn't to be. It would surrender a score with seconds left, falling 63-60.

24. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State: Week 5 vs. Texas A&M

The Box Score: 47-of-60, 438 yards, 2 TDs; 4 rushes for -26 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Oklahoma State wouldn't have been a national championship snub if not for Weeden's second-half performance against Texas A&M.

Down 17 at the half, Weeden led the Cowboys on three touchdown drives in the third quarter alone. He would lead two more scoring drives, both field goals, in the fourth quarter en route to a 30-29 win over the Aggies.

A 78.3 percent completion rate, 438 yards and a come-from-behind win are all impressive, but especially on the road at Kyle Field.

23. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M: Week 7 vs. Baylor

The Box Score: 11 rec, 206 yards, 4 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Texas A&M had become notorious for blowing second-half leads. Against Baylor, Swope didn't allow it to happen again.

Two of his four touchdowns came in the second half. His third was a diving effort that put the Aggies up 31-14. The final touchdown was a 68-yard strike that saw him break the safety's tackle and put the Aggies up 41-28. The Aggies were finally able to hang on to a lead as they beat Baylor, 55-28.

Swope only had two touchdowns all season and 230 yards receiving in his previous three games.

22. Dustin Garrison, West Virginia: Week 5 vs. Bowling Green

The Box Score: 32 rushes, 291 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 4 yards

Beyond the Box Score: West Virginia struggled mightily with its rushing game early on in the season. It's improved slightly throughout the year, and it is thanks in no small part to the efforts of Dustin Garrison.

Prior to this game, the Mountaineers had just 306 yards total in four games. Garrison, in only his second career start, almost doubled the total on his own. He had 65 yards rushing in the previous four games combined.

His 291-yard performance is second all-time in West Virginia history (Kay-Jay Harris is No. 1).

21. Vinny Curry, Marshall: Week 7 vs. Rice

The Box Score: 5 solos, 4 assists, 4 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 FF

Beyond the Box Score: Vinny Curry established himself as a potential first-round selection in the NFL draft this upcoming April. Curry had several great games this season, but none better than his effort against Rice.

Curry dominated the entire game, but Marshall still found itself down 20-17 late in the fourth quarter.

With 3:30 left, Curry forced a fumble from Rice's Sam McGuffie to give Marshall the ball at the Rice 23.

Six plays later, Marshall scored, taking the lead, 24-20.

He already gave Marshall the lead, and now he had to protect it. Curry came up with another sack on Rice's final drive, preserving the 24-20 win.

20. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State: Week 9 vs. Wyoming

The Box Score: 25 carries, 224 yards, 2 TDs, 2 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD

Beyond the Box Score: You can see Hillman's 99-yard touchdown run in the attached video. Overall, it helped contribute to his 11.3 yard per touch average.

It was the first of two touchdowns for Hillman in the third quarter. This cut the Aztecs deficit to 10. A three-yard plunge later on cut the lead to three.

Hillman got the Aztecs back into field-goal range in the fourth quarter, but the 27-yard attempt was missed. The Aztecs would lose, 30-27.

19. Whitney Mercilus, Illinois: Week 3 vs. Arizona State

The Box Score: 3 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 hurry, 1 FF

Beyond the Box Score: Whitney Mercilus was one of the nation's biggest surprises. The junior would go from relative unknown to first-team All-American and the nation's sack leader.

Two of the sacks came against ASU, but he contributed so much more than what the box score shows.

Mercilus sacked Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler on the first drive, setting the tone. Then, with the Illini offense struggling, Mercilus forced a turnover in the middle of the fourth quarter. Illinois took over at the 41 and scored five plays later.

Mercilus helped Illinois keep the Sun Devils to 14 points, their lowest point total of the season.

18. Jarvis Jones, Georgia: Week 9 vs. Florida

The Box Score: 4 sacks, 4 TFLs, 5 solos, 1 FF

Beyond the Box Score: Georgia's defense underwent drastic improvement throughout the season. A big reason for that? The development of sophomore Jarvis Jones.

Jones would play his best game against the Dawgs' biggest rival. He tallied three sacks in the first half to keep UGA in it. After trailing 17-10 at the half, Jones and the defense allowed only three second-half points. UGA would win, 24-20.

17. Montee Ball, Wisconsin: Week 10 vs. Purdue

The Box Score: 20 carries, 223 yards, 3 TDs, 1 catch, 9 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Ball was a well-deserved Heisman finalist. His 11 yards per carry average against Purdue contributed greatly to earning that distinction.

Ball rushed for 44 yards on the first play (seen in attached video). He added two touchdowns in the second quarter to build a big lead for the Badgers.

The win was badly needed, as the Badgers had lost their two previous games. This win stopped the bleeding and got Wisconsin back on the right course. Once the Badgers remembered that they should give the ball to Ball, they did not lose again.

Ball would only carry it four times in the second half. Otherwise, he could have approached 400 yards.

16. Ray Graham, Pitt: Week 5 vs. South Florida

The Box Score: 26 rushes, 226 yards, 2 TDs, 4 rec, 42 yards, 2 kick returns, 35 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Graham was the nation's leading rusher when he was lost for the season with an injury. When he went out, Pitt struggled mightily.

When he was in, he was capable of putting together stat lines such as this. He seemed like a threat to take it to the house every play against the Bulls, and after watching the game, it was surprising that he totaled just 270 yards.

He was able to control the game, as Pitt knocked off USF early on. The game seemed as if it could be for the Big East championship. In reality, it ended up being for a bowl game.

15. Lance Dunbar, North Texas: Week 14 vs. Middle Tennessee

The Box Score: 40 carries, 313 yards, 4 TDs, 1 catch, 7 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Dunbar's 313 yards is a national high for 2011. He saved his best for last, as it came in North Texas' final game of the season.

Three of Dunbar's touchdowns came in the first half. The senior had a special send-off on Senior Night, as he only had two carries in the fourth quarter before being taken out.

14. Sammy Watkins, Clemson: Week 7 vs. Maryland

The Box Score: 8 catches for 105 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rush, 33 yards, 5 kick returns, 207 yards, 1 TD

Beyond the Box Score: Picking just one game from Sammy Watkins was an arduous task. While his receiving numbers were better in other games, he took over the game more here than in any other.

Watkins contributed in every facet of the game and tallied three touchdowns, all three coming in the second half.

Watkins scored his first touchdown early in the second half while the Tigers trailed, 35-17. Later he struck again to cut the lead to 38-35.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Maryland had taken the lead, 45-42. Watkins returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to put the Tigers up 49-45. They would go on to win, 56-45.

Watkins went a long way in helping the Tigers avoid the upset on the road, something they have been so susceptible to in the past. Clemson is headed to the Orange Bowl, and fans have at least two more years of Watkins to look forward to.

13. Andre Branch, Clemson: Week 5 vs. Virginia Tech

The Box Score: 8 tackles, 3 solos, 6 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 FF

Beyond the Box Score: Another Clemson player, another instance of not letting his teammates lose.

Despite being undefeated, Andre Branch and the Tigers rolled into Blacksburg as six-point underdogs. As it turns out, the Hokies didn't even score six points.

Branch tallied four sacks and six TFLs. On the day, VT tallied 258 yards on offense—Branch was responsible for minus-35 of those yards.

12. Alex Carder, Western Michigan: Week 11 vs. Toledo

The Box Score: 38-of-59, 548 yards, 7 TDs, 8 rushes, 16 yards, 1 TD

Beyond the Box Score: Carder carved up the Toledo defense to the tune of 548 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite going to the air 59 times, he did not throw one interception.

There isn't much more to say than that. WMU shot itself in the foot with four fumbles (one from Carder), but Carder still led the team to 63 points. It fell to Toledo, 66-63.

Carder's 548 yards is a national season high.

11. Connor Halliday, Washington State: Week 11 vs. Arizona State

The Box Score: 27-of-36, 494 yards, 4 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Before ever making a start in his collegiate career, Halliday threw for almost 500 yards in a single game.

Halliday came in halfway through the first quarter to replace Marshall Lobbestael. Halliday found Marquess Wilson for an 85-yard touchdown pass on his first play.

Halliday would finish with 494 yards in what was the Cougars' only win after October 1st and only Pac-12 win. It would also ultimately cost the Sun Devils the Pac-12 South.

Now here's where it gets interesting. Halliday is a freshman, and he did not make his first start until the next week (an overtime loss against Utah). He would miss the Apple Cup with a lacerated liver.

You think Mike Leach can do something with this kid?

10. Tajh Boyd, Clemson: Week 3 vs. Auburn

The Box Score: 30-of-42, 386 yards, 4 TDs, 7 rushes, 30 yards

Beyond the Box Score: After being held scoreless in the first quarter and falling behind 14-0, Tajh Boyd led Clemson on three touchdown drives in the second quarter alone to tie the game at 21-21.

Boyd led another TD drive to start the second half, hooking up with Sammy Watkins for a 66-yard TD pass. A fumble from Mike Bellamy canceled the next drive, but Boyd scored yet again on the subsequent drive.

In total, that's five touchdowns in six drives. Talk about efficiency!

Clemson would take control of the ball up 14 with just over nine minutes left. It wouldn't give the ball back.

It was Boyd's leadership that got the Tigers the win against Auburn. It's also his leadership that has the Tigers playing in Miami this bowl season.

9. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech: Week 6 vs. Miami

The Box Score: 23-of-25, 310 yards, 3 TDs, 11 rushes, 38 yards, 2 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: People may look at Thomas' 92 percent completion percentage in admiration. They would be ignoring that one of his incompletions was a drop, while the other he had to throw away after a bad snap. Yes, he should have been perfect.

Thomas made up for it by scoring the game-winning touchdown with his legs (seen here). It was a huge lift for the Hokies, as they were coming off their 23-3 loss to Clemson. The Hokies would lose only once more and are headed to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

8. Matt Barkley, USC: Week 13 vs. UCLA

The Box Score: 35-of-42, 423 yards, 6 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: It may have been the last time we saw Matt Barkley in a USC uniform. If that's the case, what a way to go out.

It had already been decided that UCLA would represent the Pac-12 South in the conference title game. If it beat USC, it would be deserved. If not, it would finish in second and win by default.

Barkley and Trojans reminded UCLA who runs south L.A. with a 50-0 win.

Barkley set a Pac-10/12 record for touchdown passes in a single season with 39. He also surpassed a USC record for completions in a game with 35. He completed 19 of his first 20 attempts.

Barkley only attempted one pass after the first drive of the fourth quarter. It was a nine-yard screen pass to his cousin, Robbie Boyer. After that, USC took mercy on its rival.

7. Orwin Smith, Georgia Tech: Week 3 vs. Kansas

The Box Score: 5 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TDs, 2 rec, 108 yards, TD, 3 kickoff returns, 49 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Smith averaged 31 yards a rush and 54 yards a catch. He only averaged 16.3 yards a kick return. It isn't often that a kick return hurts your yards-per-touch average, but it was the case with Smith.

If Smith had around 20 touches, who knows how many yards he would have put up?

As a whole, Georgia Tech rushed for 604 yards and 768 total.

The 95-yard touchdown seen here came on GT's first offensive play.

6. Patrick Edwards, Houston: Week 9 vs. Rice

The Box Score: 7 catches, 318 yards, 5 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Edwards' 318 receiving yards is a high for the 2011 season. The five touchdowns? Not too shabby either.

Edwards finished with a 45.8-yard reception average. His five touchdowns went for an average of 45.4 yards, and his other two catches were for 43 and 48. He was targeted several more times, and with the zone he and quarterback Case Keenum were in, he could have easily hit 400 yards.

5. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: Week 5 vs. Texas A&M

The Box Score: 30-of-51, 510 yards, 3 TDs

Beyond the Box Score: Both Arkansas and Texas A&M came in on the heels of a loss. A second straight loss would be devastating. Arkansas seemed to be headed down that road, but a massive second-half effort from Wilson flipped the script.

Wilson threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns in the second half as the Hogs rallied to win, 42-38.

The loss derailed Texas A&M's season, as it finished 6-6. Arkansas would control its own destiny for the national championship all the way to the final week of the regular season (sort of, depending on what projected BCS rankings you believe).

4. Nordly Capi, Colorado State: Week 1 vs. New Mexico

The Box Score: 5 solos, 2 assists, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 4 FF, 1 FR

Beyond the Box Score: "If you had one moment, one opportunity, would you seize it, or would you let it slip by?"—Eminem

Capi forced four fumbles and added 3.5 sacks.

That's pretty cool, but now realize that Capi didn't even start the game.

In fact, he wasn't even expecting to play.

Capi came off the bench early in the first quarter when starter Broderick Sargent went down with a major knee injury. Capi looked nervous at first, especially when he hit QB Tarean Austin well after the whistle blew.

But as you can see from the highlight reel, he quickly picked up steam. He went from a replacement to a dominant force.

Capi finished the season with 9.5 sacks, 10th in the nation. His opportunity could have been nothing special. He could have come in, beaten New Mexico and no one would have paid attention to the game. Instead he made the most of it and developed into one of the nation's best.

3. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU: Week 1 vs. Oregon

The Box Score: 5 solos, 5 assists, 0.5 TFL, 2 pass breakups, 1 FF, 1 TD; 3 punt returns, 26 yards

Beyond the Box Score: We could have picked any number of Honey Badger games, but I want to go back to the first. This is the game that established LSU as a national title contender and the Honey Badger as a Heisman finalist.

Watch the highlight package and you'll see everything the Honey Badger has become synonymous with: tenacity, ferocity, speed and aggression.

2. Case Keenum, Houston: Week 9 vs. Rice

The Box Score: 24-of-37, 534 yards, 9 touchdowns, 1 INT

Beyond the Box Score: There really isn't much need to go beyond the box score when someone throws for nine touchdowns, but in this case, we can.

Keenum needed five touchdowns to break Graham Harrell's all-time NCAA record. Everyone knew Keenum would eventually do it; they just didn't know if he would do it against Rice.

He tied it early in the third quarter and then broke it a few minutes later. Then he threw another three touchdowns.

It was almost the most special record-breaking game of all time, as Keenum approached the all-time yards record, but he would have to wait for the next week against UAB. His 534 yards against Rice just weren't enough!

1. Robert Griffin III, Baylor: Week 12 vs. Oklahoma

The Box Score: 21-of-34, 479 yards, 4 TDs, 18 rushes, 72 yards

Beyond the Box Score: Statistically speaking, there may have been better games for RGIII during the 2011 season. The TCU game was great and may have started his Heisman campaign, but this game removed all doubt.

That isn't to say that 479 yards passing, 72 yards rushing and four touchdowns isn't something special. The fact that it came against Oklahoma and the way in which Griffin III found Terrance Williams in the back of the end zone with seconds left was something else.

A few of these games on this list were blowouts against inferior opponents. Players would rough up undermanned foes for 200 yards rushing or 450 yards passing. That isn't the case with RGIII against OU.

This performance ranks above all else from the 2011 season. Ten years from now, we'll look back on Griffin's Heisman Trophy campaign and remember this game.