With Week 5 officially in the books, let’s take a look at the best performances of the weekend in this week’s All-SEC Team.
OFFENSE
Florida QB Will Grier: Other quarterbacks posted gaudier passing numbers — Patrick Towles 329 yards, Kyle Allen 322 — but Will Grier shook off a gnarly stomach bug to systematically disassemble the Ole Miss defense. Grier was 24 of 29 for 271 yards and four touchdowns as Florida pulled off the 38-10 upset of No. 3 Ole Miss. Grier became the first Gators quarterback to throw for four touchdowns in a half since Chris Leak in 2005 against Kentucky. Grier is also the first Florida signal-caller to throw multiple touchdown passes in four games in one season since Tim Tebow, who threw for five multiple touchdown games in 2009.
LSU RB Leonard Fournette: Like we said last week, this is Leonard Fournette’s spot until someone can top him. The LSU sophomore topped 200 yards for the third-straight game, tallying 233 on the ground and 3 touchdowns against Eastern Michigan. Fournette (861 yards) leads San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin by 63 yards for tops in the nation — a feat made even more remarkable in that LSU has played in one less game than almost every other team in the country.
Georgia RB Nick Chubb: We’re going to give the nod to Nick Chubb over Alex Collins and Derrick Henry here, mostly because anyone who ties a Herschel Walker record deserves to be honored. Georgia laid a bit of an egg against Alabama in Week 5, but not for the lack of effort from Chubb. The running back matched Crimson Tide’s Henry (148 yards, TD) rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown in the 38-10 loss to Alabama. It was Chubb’s 13th consecutive game with at least 100 rushing yards, equaling the Georgia program record held by the legendary Walker. Chubb’s 745 yards on the season rank him No. 3 in the nation. Collins led Arkansas to a victory with 154 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Alabama WR Calvin Ridley: Calvin Ridley had the breakout game that Alabama has been waiting for from the freshman wide receiver, catching five receptions for 120 yards and a score. His previous high was 38 yards set last week against Louisiana-Monroe. Ridley connected with Jake Coker for a 45-yard touchdown pass on the first play a late second-quarter drive to give the Crimson Tide a commanding 24-3 heading into halftime.
Texas A&M WR Josh Reynolds: Josh Reynolds is starting to heat up for Texas A&M, hauling in 141 yards on seven receptions in Week 5’s win over Mississippi State. It’s the second consecutive 100+ yard week for the junior wide receiver. His 141 yards were also a career high, eclipsing his 125-yard game in 2014 against Missouri. Reynolds, however, was held out of the end zone for the second time in as many games.
Auburn OL: Auburn’s run game got on track in Week 5 against San Jose State as the Tigers posted a season-high 234 yards on the ground. Auburn entered the game rushing for an average of 179.0 ypg. The line cleared room for Peyton Barber to run for a career-high 147 yards and score all five of Auburn’s touchdowns in the 35-21 win over the Spartans.
DEFENSE
Missouri DL Walter Brady: Missouri defensive end Walter Brady became the first Tigers freshman to garner 2.0 sacks twice in a season, courtesy of his two takedowns against South Carolina. He finished with 3 tackles, 2 sacks and became the first Missouri defensive lineman to intercept a pass since Josh Augusta snagged a Central Florida pass on Sept. 13, 2014.
Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett: Myles Garrett continues to terrorize offenses. This week it was Mississippi State who couldn’t contain the sophomore defensive end. Garrett tied for the Aggies’ team lead with 7 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and a sack to go along with a pass broken up and a forced fumble as Texas A&M beat the Bulldogs 30-17 to stay undefeated (5-0, 2-0) on the season.
Florida LB Antonio Morrison: Antonio Morrison was everywhere in Florida’s upset win over No. 3 Ole Miss, racking up 16 tackles (5 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. The effort netted the senior the Walter Camp Foundation’s FBS Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Georgia LB Jake Ganus: Alabama-Birmingham transfer Jake Ganus continues to impress for Georgia, even if the Bulldogs came up lame in Week 5 against Alabama. The senior posted a career-high 10 tackles while recording a fumble recovery and half a sack.
Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick: Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick put the Crimson Tide up 17-3 over Georgia with a punt block near the Bulldogs goal line that he picked up and literally walked into the end zone for a touchdown. The freshman from Old Bridge, N.J., finished with 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and a sack, as well as a pass broken up as the Tide cruised to a 38-10 win.
Auburn DB Johnathan Ford: Johnathan Ford led Auburn with a career-high 14 tackles in the Tigers’ 35-21 win over San Jose State. The junior forced his third-career fumble (second this year) as Auburn (3-2, 0-2) moved back above .500 on the season. Ford also returned two kicks for a total of 81 yards, including a career-long 58-yard return.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
