Welcome to another edition of The Junkie Awards, where each week we take a look at some of the most unforgettable performances in college football. From the amazing performances, to the jaw dropping plays, and all the way to the boneheaded decisions.
Freshman of the Week
Kedon Slovis USC QB
Slovis was forced into action against Stanford after Trojans starting QB JT Daniels was lost for the season with a torn ACL in week one. All Slovis did was go 28-33 for 377 yards and 3 TDs in USC’s 45-20 win over #23 Stanford. After falling behind 17-3 early, Slovis led the Trojans on three straight scoring drives, all over 70 yards long. Overall he led USC to points on 7 of his 10 drives. He set school records for a freshman making their first start in TDs, completions, completion percentage, and passing yards.
Check out his first career TD pass
Best Team Performance
Clemson
The top ranked Tigers hosted #12 Texas A&M and won in rather impressive fashion. If you just looked at the box score and saw the 24-10 final you might not think so, but if you watched the game, you saw it. The Aggies chose to key on Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence and the receivers made them pay. The Clemson defense held A&M to less than 300 yards and made Kellen Mond look like an average QB, in what was a masterful gameplan by Brent Venables. It is not wise to poke the bear, and much of the media as well as some A&M players did just that. Lots of crow being eaten in College Station this week, hope no one chokes.
You can see those highlights here.
Check out Lawrence’s first TD throw
Worst Team Performance
Tennessee
The Vols never ending quest back to relevance hit yet another pothole last weekend, this time coming in a double OT loss to BYU. Former UNC Tarheel, former UofSC Gamecock, and current BYU RB Ty’Son Williams scored on a 5 yard tun to seal Tennessee’s fate 29-26. The Vols could not stop QB Zach Wilson when it mattered as he was able to connect with Micah Simon on a 64 yd completion with just 6 seconds left in regulation to set up the game tying FG. The loss drops the Vols to 0-2 for the first time since the late 90’s and makes them just 6-16 in their last 22 games.
“Good Ole Rocky Top, where the Vols always get beat!”
Watch that BYU offensive line do work on the game winning TD
Oddest Quote of the Week
Jeremy Pruitt
As mentioned above, the Tennessee football program is an absolute dumpster fire. Players started jumping ship during the offseason and then Pruitt saw two more bolt after their week one embarrassment against Georgia State. On Monday at a Knoxville QB Club meeting, the second year coach compared the mass exodus to a scene from the movie Titanic.
“I think ‘Titanic’ came out maybe when I was in college. When the boat starts going down, remember all the mice running to the top, right? We have had a few that left our program, but you will figure out who wants to be a Tennessee Vol and who don’t. I can tell you this, I want to. I know the standards and expectations that we have and the men on our staff and the character that we have. You will see the best of the players at Tennessee throughout the year.”
Wait….. WHAT? You are comparing your program to the most famous sinking ship in history? Everyone already knows that of course, but to hear the head coach admit it is something unheard of, and probably not very smart.
Wal Marter of the Week
Chip Kelly UCLA
Chip Kelly is supposed to be an innovator. An offensive guru. Yet in his second year at UCLA, he might be on the hottest seat in the country. The Bruins supposedly outbid Florida for his services too. Losing to San Diego State isn’t the end of the world, they have had pretty decent football teams in recent years. However, to only be able to put 14 points on the scoreboard is downright offensive. Especially for a Chip Kelly offense. The Bruins could only generate 261 yards of total offense, just 62 on the ground, and averaged just 1.9 YPC. This after only managing to score 14 against Cincinnati in week one. In that one they managed just 218 total yards and averaged just 1.7 YPC. Anyone else seeing a trend here? So congrats Coach, you are our first Wal Marter of the Week Award winner!
Congratulations to this weeks winners! We look forward to doing it again next week.
