All across the SEC, we saw unbelievable performances and inexplicable ones.
Who made our list of studs and duds in Week 5? Let’s find out.
Studs
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: Gurley had the best game of his career rushing for 208 yards and two scores on 28 carries carrying the Bulldogs on his shoulders to a 35-32 win over Tennessee. He got off to a sluggish start, amassing just 73 yards on 15 carries in the first half, but took over after the break highlighted by this potential Heisman moment.
Brandon Harris, QB, LSU: After another less-than-stellar outing from Anthony Jennings, the true freshman came in against New Mexico State and completed 11 of 14 passes for 178 yards, in addition to another 36 yards on the ground en route to five total touchdowns. As a result, it was announced that Harris would start this weekend’s showdown with No. 5 Auburn.
Jalen Hurd, RB, Tennessee: Despite a costly fumble that cost Tennessee the game, the true freshman had his coming out party Saturday afternoon in Athens. Hurd ran for 119 yards and a score on 24 carries, and with a more experienced offensive line in front of him in the coming years, Hurd is on track for a sensational career.
Duds
Steve Spurrier, Head Coach, South Carolina: It wasn’t the Head Ball Coach’s best night coaching in the loss to Missouri. An early fourth-down call backfired and ultimately led to Mizzou’s first touchdown. A late decision by Spurrier not to go for two after a Gamecock touchdown gave them a 20-7 lead, ultimately leading to the loss after Maty Mauk led the Tigers to consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter.
Anthony Jennings, QB, LSU: I really didn’t like keeping Jennings on this list for the second consecutive week, but his game left me no option. Three first quarter turnovers by Jennings left the LSU offense inept early against New Mexico State, the same defense that Brandon Harris, mentioned above, shredded en route to 63 points.
Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M: Poor guy got manhandled by Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. Watts had no desire to wrap up the Hogs backs, seemingly sticking his arm out and getting spun around every time. Arkansas fans, you can thank him for the majority of your 285 rushing yards.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
