Three Stars of College Football: Week 8
1) Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
18 Att, 104 Yds, TD; 9 Rec, 203 Yds, 2 TD
Since taking over for an injured Patrick Taylor after a Week 1 win over Ole Miss, Gainwell has had at least 85 yards rushing with two receptions in every game, and he was able to showcase his abilities once again in Memphis’ 47-17 victory against Tulane. Gainwell is the first player in the FBS to gain 200 yards receiving and 100 yards rushing in the same game since Troy Edwards in 1997. He also now leads the Tigers in both rushing and receiving yards on the season. Memphis goes up against Tulsa next week in a game where Gainwell should make another huge impact.
2) Shane Buechele, QB, SMU
30/53, 467 Yds, 6 TD, INT
SMU is now 7-0 after their 45-21 win over Temple and the play of Buechele is a big reason why. This week, he set career highs in both passing yards and touchdowns as the Mustangs continue their best start to a season since 1982. They should now be considered the favorite for the Group of Five NY6 bowl bid and will look to keep that going against Houston next week.
3) Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
16/17, 316 Yds, 3 TD; 10 Att, 75 Yds, 2 TD
Hurts only threw one incompletion, which was a drop by freshman Drake Stoops, in the Sooners 52-14 win against West Virginia. His passing efficiency rating of 308.5 is the highest of his career and good for second in school history, and he also became the third Oklahoma QB to complete 90 percent of his passes while throwing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in the same game. Oklahoma travels to Manhattan next week to face a Kansas State team that only allows 18.7 points per game.
Honorable Mentions
Casey O’ Brien, P, Minnesota: Four-time cancer survivor made his college football debut on Saturday
Preston Hutchinson, QB, Eastern Michigan: 31/36, 357 Yds, 4 TD(1 Rush)
Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas: 31/44, 399 Yds, 4 TD, INT; 14 Att, 91 Yds
Brady White, QB, Memphis: 21/29, 358 Yds, 5 TD
Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State: 35/51, 369 Yds, 4 TD, INT
Tavien Feaster, RB, South Carolina: 25 Att, 175 Yds, TD
Brenden Knox, RB, Marshall: 23 Att, 220 Yds, 2 TD
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson: 14 Att, 192 Yds, TD
AJ Dillon/David Bailey, RBs, Boston College: Combined 50 Att, 404 Yds, 5 TD
Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State: 19 Att, 183 Yds, 2 TD; 3 Rec, 73 Yds
Pooka Williams Jr, RB, Kansas: 25 Att, 190 Yds, 2 TD
David Bell, WR, Purdue: 13 Rec, 197 Yds, TD
Malik Stanley, WR, Louisiana Tech: 8 Rec, 212 Yds, TD
Reggie Roberson Jr, WR, SMU: 8 Rec, 250 Yds, 3 TD
Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF: 9 Rec, 164 Yds, 2 TD
Evan Weaver, LB, Cal: 21 Tackles, 2 Sacks
Dele Harding, LB, Illinois: 16 Tackles, Fumble Recovery
