SEC Saturday Sleepers: Week 3’s top under-the-radar performances
By Drew Laing
Published:
After every weekend of games, you always hear about the performances of the Kenny Hills, the TJ Yeldons and the Todd Gurleys of the SEC. There are also the performances you don’t hear as much about, coming from the under-the-radar SEC players…the sleepers.
Who were the best of the Saturday Sleepers from Week 3? Take a look.
Brooks Ellis, LB, Arkansas
Week 3 stats: 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
In a game where the Hogs offense took all of the headlines, the Arkansas middle linebacker stole the show on defense with another high-quality performance. Ellis was seemingly all over the field against Texas Tech’s Air Raid offense. He made some big wrap ups in the backfield, forced a key fumble which led to Arkansas’ first touchdown and played outstanding pass coverage as he broke up four passes alone. No other Razorback player had more than two. Despite playing on an inconsistent defense, Ellis is quietly turning into a star over in Fayetteville.
Matt Jones, RB, Florida
Week 3 stats: 29 carries, 156 rushing yards and one touchdown
It’s easy to be forgotten at a position when players like Todd Gurley, TJ Yeldon and Mike Davis all play in the same conference. But the 6-foot-3, 235-pound running back turned in quite a game for the Gators. It was a night where not a whole lot was clicking for quarterback Jeff Driskel. So the Gators relied on the big body of Jones to carry the offense down the field and he didn’t disappoint. His career-high 29 carries and second-highest 156 rushing yards were a big reason why Florida was still able to win last night’s triple overtime thriller. He also scored the game-winning touchdown for the Gators, taking it into the endzone on a short 1-yard carry in triple overtime.
Patrick Towles, QB, Kentucky
Week 3 stats: 24-of-45, 369 passing yards and three touchdowns
Unless you’re a Kentucky fan, Towles’ performance last night may not stick out to you, but the redshirt sophomore showed great poise and control in a raucous nighttime environment inside. In just his third career start, Towles gashed the Gators secondary deep, exploiting weaknesses among the young Gators defensive backs, especially their safeties as two of his touchdown passes came on plays of 30-plus yards. With the exception of some poor throws he made due to pressure, Towles was easily the better quarterback of the night between he and Florida’s Jeff Driskel. It looks like the Wildcats have a real gun-slinger leading their offense.
Jalen Hurd, RB, Tennessee
Week 3 stats: 14 carries, 97 rushing yards, two receptions, 24 yards
Hurd didn’t score a touchdown in the Vols’ road showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners last night, but the true freshman shined in the prime-time spotlight. He racked up 121 total yards for the Vols and really showcased how athletic he is, despite being a taller running back at 6-foot-3, 221-pounds. Hurd is quickly emerging as a playmaker for Tennessee’s offense, rattling off two big plays yesterday of 43 and 30 yards against an incredibly tough Oklahoma defense. Expect to see the true freshman continue to get the bulk of the carries at running back. Last night was also the second game in a row in which he received more than 15 touches throughout the game.
Brandon Wilds, RB, South Carolina
Week 3 stats: 14 carries, 93 rushing yards and one touchdown
When you hear about South Carolina running backs, Mike Davis is probably the name that comes up the quickest. However, it was his fellow running back, Brandon Wilds, that emerged from last night’s classic against Georgia. Wilds shook off an early fumble to help lead the Gamecocks to a stunning 38-35 victory over the Bulldogs. It was Wilds’ explosive 24-yard touchdown run that put the Gamecocks up 10 points with just over 13 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Simply put, Wilds showcased some grown-man football last night and his head coach Steve Spurrier lauded his performance after the game, calling him “one of the best inside runners in college football.” I don’t know if South Carolina does the whole game ball thing, but you can bet Wilds deserves as much as anyone on that football team after last night’s performance.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
