Who will have the best individual performances of the 2015 season? That’s exactly what we’re going to try to measure with this weekly installment of the season’s top 10 individual performances.
Each week, we will move new standout games onto the list, making it progressively tougher to receive a mention.
Bonus points will be given to standout performances against tough opponents and outcome-altering plays, though huge individual performances of any kind will not be dismissed given the title of this list.
There may be alterations to the ranking of previous performances from week to week, based on the perspective gained from the progression of the season.
By the end of the season, we should have compiled the season’s very best performances.
We’re sure to have disagreements along the way, so feel free to add your Top 10 list in the comments section each week for comparison.
Some of the SEC Championship Game’s notable performances:
- Alabama RB Derrick Henry carried the load once again for the Crimson Tide, rushing 44 times for 189 yards and a score against Florida.
- Alabama WR Calvin Ridley caught eight passes for 102 yards, including a 55-yarder that set up the Crimson Tide’s first touchdown.
- Alabama WR ArDarius Stewart hauled in what could be considered the game’s most important touchdown passes from 32 yards out on a third-down play. He finished with 64 yards receiving on four catches.
- Alabama QB Jake Coker was solid in the biggest game of the year to date, throwing for two touchdowns and 204 yards while protecting the football and rushing for 23 yards.
- Alabama’s Tim Williams had a pair of sacks.
- Florida WR Antonio Callaway returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, and also caught a 46-yard pass.
- Florida DE Jonathan Bullard had eight tackles, two for a loss and a sack.
- Florida LB Antonio Morrison was the game’s leading tackler with 11. Eight were of the solo variety, and one was for a loss.
But were any of those performances good enough to make the big board?
After adjusting to include the championship game’s top performers, here is a look at the top 10 individual performances of the 2015 season:
1. RB Derrick Henry, Alabama at Auburn (Week 13)
The stat line: With a trip to the SEC Championship Game on the line, Henry put the Crimson Tide offense on his back in the Iron Bowl. Henry carried the ball an eye-popping 46 times for 271 yards and a touchdown, salting away a 29-13 win on The Plains.
2. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State at Arkansas (Week 12)
The stat line: Prescott turned in the QB performance of the season in Fayetteville, throwing for 508 yards and five touchdowns on 38 of 50 passing and rushing for 46 yards and two more touchdowns in a 51-50 win against the Razorbacks.
3. RB Derrick Henry, Alabama vs. LSU (Week 10)
The stat line: Henry turned in a memorable performance on the league’s biggest stage of the season, rushing the ball 38 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns against No. 2 LSU in a 30-16 win.
4. QB Brandon Allen, Arkansas at Ole Miss (Week 10)
The stat line: 33 of 45 passing for 442 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Allen also ran in the game-winning 2-point conversion in a 53-52 overtime win against the Rebels.
5. QB Brandon Allen, Arkansas vs. Mississippi State (Week 12)
The stat line: 30 of 43 passing for 406 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Allen became just the second SEC quarterback to throw for seven touchdowns in a league game.
6. RB Leonard Fournette, LSU vs. Auburn (Week 3)
The stat line: 19 carries for 228 yards and three rushing touchdowns, plus one catch for 9 yards in 45-21 win against No. 18 Auburn. Highlight-reel touchdown runs of 40 and 29 yards.
7. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State vs. Kentucky (Week 8)
The stat line: 25 of 35 passing for 348 yards and three passing touchdowns. 13 rushes for 117 yards and three rushing touchdowns in 42-16 win against the Wildcats.
8. QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss vs. Arkansas (Week 10)
The stat line: Though his team lost 53-52 in overtime, Kelly had a monster performance, completing 24 of 34 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns and rushing 11 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns.
9. QB Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee vs. Georgia (Week 6)
The stat line: 25 of 42 passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns. 18 rushes for 118 yards and two rushing touchdowns in 38-31 win against the Bulldogs.
10. RB Derrick Henry, Alabama at Texas A&M (Week 7)
The stat line: 32 carries for 236 yards and two rushing touchdowns in a 41-23 win against the Aggies at Kyle Field.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
