Following a Week 12 schedule full of cupcake opponents and big cross-division rivalries, the SEC has announced its Players of the Week.
After a big win against LSU, Florida was well-represented in this week’s awards:
Offensive Player of the Week — Rawleigh Williams III, RB, Arkansas
- Became the first non-QB in college football this season to rush for four touchdowns and pass for a touchdown in a game this season.
- Just the fourth player in Arkansas history to run for over 200 yards in an SEC game.
- Set new career-highs for rushing yards and TDs in the first half against Mississippi State with 191 yards and four touchdowns on just eight carries.
- Had a hand in five of Arkansas’ first six touchdowns in the game with four coming on the ground and the fifth coming on a 1-yard TD pass on fourth-and-goal in the third quarter.
- Arkansas improved to 7-0 all-time and 6-0 this season when Williams runs for over 100 yards.
- Reclaimed the SEC rushing lead (1,209) and moved into a tie in the conference with six 100-yard games this season.
- Only player in the SEC to run for 200 yards and four touchdowns in a game this season.
- Opened the game with a career-long 72-yard TD run on the second play from scrimmage.
- First time since Knile Davis on Nov. 20, 2010, that an Arkansas running back has rushed for more than 100 yards in the first quarter.
- Broke a career-best four runs of 20+ yards.
- Accounted for five first downs and still leads the SEC in total first downs with 58.
Defensive Player of the Week — David Reese, LB, Florida
- Reese, filling in at linebacker for injured senior Jarrad Davis, led Florida in tackles for the second consecutive week.
- With his 12 tackles, Reese also surpassed his career-high of 11 that he had set the last game against South Carolina.
- Reese helped limit LSU to 219 rushing yards, under its season average of 233.6 yards per game, which ranked third in the SEC.
Special Teams Player of the Week — Eddy Pineiro, K, Florida
- Pineiro accounted for 10 of Florida’s 16 points, connecting on field goals of 36, 26 and 34 yards and also adding a PAT.
- His five kickoffs averaged 63.2 yards per kick, and four went for touchbacks, limiting LSU’s kickoff return game (LSU’s only kickoff return resulted in a fumble, which was recovered by Florida at LSU’s 21-yard line).
Freshman Player of the Week — Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida
- Cleveland made a big statement at LSU, opening Florida’s second-half scoring with a 98-yard touchdown reception from Austin Appleby.
- The scoring drive, which lasted just one play, began on Florida’s first possession in the third quarter.
- Cleveland’s touchdown stands as the second-longest touchdown passing play overall, the longest touchdown passing play against an SEC opponent and the longest play by a true freshman in program history.
- In total, Cleveland accounted for all but 20 of Florida’s receiving yards.
Offensive Lineman of the Week (tie) — Will Holden, LT, Vanderbilt
- Holden earned superb 93 percent blocking grade, topped by three domination blocks, while playing all 76 offensive snaps in Vanderbilt’s impressive 38-17 victory over Ole Miss Saturday.
- Holden contributed key blocks on two of Ralph Webb’s three rushing touchdowns, which came during a 31-0 run after the Commodores fell behind 10-0 early in the first quarter. He also limited Ole Miss’ standout DE Marquis Haynes to three assisted tackles, and did not allow a single pressure while protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
- Holden’s contribution upfront helped the Commodore offense produce 208 rushing yards and 481 total yards, season highs this year in SEC competition.
Offensive Lineman of the Week (tie) — Dan Skipper, OL, Arkansas
- Helped Arkansas run and pass for a combined 661 yards of offense on the road at Mississippi State, good for the fourth-most in program history and the most ever in an SEC game.
- Graded out at a career-best 97 percent over 69 plays at left tackle.
- Arkansas averaged 9.9 yards per play – good for fourth-most in program history – en route to a season-high 58 points, which is the most in program history in an SEC game that ended in regulation.
- Paved the way for sophomore running back Rawleigh Williams to run for 205 yards and four touchdowns, including 191 yards in the first half. Williams is just the fourth player in Arkansas history to run for 200 yards in an SEC game.
- All four of Williams’ rushing touchdowns came behind Skipper and the left side of the line.
- Williams was joined by freshman Devwah Whaley with over 100 yards rushing.
- Arkansas averaged 8.7 yards per rush at Mississippi State, which is good for ninth-best in program history. Trio of Williams, Whaley and T.J. Hammons broke six runs of 20 yards or more.
- Arkansas is one of just 16 FBS teams to rush for 300 yards and pass for 300 yards in a single game this season.
- Second time this season Arkansas hasn’t allowed a sack, which snapped Mississippi State’s seven-game streak with at least one sack.
Defensive Lineman of the Week — Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
- Tennessee’s Derek Barnett recorded six tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry in UT’s win over Missouri.
- Barnett sacked Drew Lock in the third quarter to record his career-best 11th sack on the season. Barnett’s 11.0 sacks in SEC games are the most in the conference.
- Barnett’s sack was also the 31st of his career. He is now one sack away from tying Reggie White’s Tennessee career record of 32.0. Barnett’s 31.0 career sacks also rank second among all active FBS players.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
