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Deep breath. Exhale.
College football is back, and so are all the deep throws, big hits and crazy plays that we rely on for Saturday entertainment. This week provided plenty of them, setting the bar high for the weeks that follow in the 2015 season.
Here are the five most exciting plays of Week 1:
BONUS: Derrick Henry’s 56-yard touchdown run vs. Wisconsin
Henry and Alabama had plenty of big runs in their win over the Badgers. But this one highlights not only the Crimson Tide’s solid offensive line but also Henry’s second-gear speed.
5. Kenyan Drake’s 43-yard dash
We aren’t sure how Drake escaped a would-be tackler in the backfield. Then he tip-toed down the sideline. This was his first touchdown since he suffered a gruesome leg injury last season.
4. Brandon Holloway’s 100-yard kickoff return
Brandon Holloway takes the kick back 100 yards to the house!https://t.co/pwfs1mHesA
— FS1 (@FS1) September 6, 2015
This isn’t the first time Mississippi State’s returner has done something like this – Holloway also has a 95-yard kickoff return to his name. There’s something special about 100, though, and Holloway proved he is a special talent on this play.
3. Maty Mauk to J’Mon Moore
Maty Mauk to J'Mon Moore TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/Eb3hx8Q5W6
— ROCK M NATION (@RockMNation) September 5, 2015
Moore is Mizzou’s most important receiver in 2015, and he showed it during this first quarter touchdown. Tigers fans will notice Mauk’s typical run to his left followed by a deep heave into traffic, but the Missouri quarterback places the ball perfectly to his receiver for the score.
2. Christian Kirk’s punt return
Kirk exploded onto the national scene because of his performance against Arizona State. The Texas A&M receiver’s best performance was this punt return, where it appears he could have run from the goal line all the way back to the opposite end zone without being touch. Speed kills.
1. Robert Nkemdiche’s touchdown
Big man touchdown! Big man touchdown! The Ole Miss defensive tackle did plenty on his regular side of the ball during the Rebels’ rout of Tennessee-Martin. But coach Hugh Freeze let the 300-pound Nkemdiche loose on this rollout. The defense didn’t stand a chance.
Mike Shaw is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Missouri, Texas A&M and Arkansas. Follow Mike on Twitter @michaelvshaw
