1 – Texas QB Quinn Ewers (vs. #3 Alabama)
Stats: 24/38 – 349 Yards – 3 Touchdowns
The obvious question being asked today: Is Texas back? The answer is yes. Led by sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns went into Tuscaloosa and upset the Crimson Tide 34-24. Ewers was incredibly impressive, never turning the ball over and leading two scoring drives in the fourth quarter, once to retake the lead, and the second to make it a two score game. He should have had a fourth touchdown, as well, but Xavier Worthy dropped a touchdown pass in the first quarter that led to a Texas field goal. In the biggest spotlight of his still young career, he showed the promise and potential that made him one of the highest rated recruits in the past 20 years.
There is a long way to go this season, but Ewers has his Heisman moment and now feels like the early leader in that race. He and the Longhorns will host a feisty Wyoming team next week in Austin.
2 – Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke (vs. #23 Texas A&M)
Stats: 21/30 – 374 Yards – 5 Touchdowns
Saturday was the day Miami Hurricane fans have been waiting for since Mario Cristobal arrived. A ranked and favored Texas A&M squad came into Hard Rock Stadium and the Canes punched them square in the mouth, thanks in large part to quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. The junior, whose future was up in the air this offseason after a tumultuous 2022, showed up and threw for 5 touchdown passes in the Hurricanes 48-33 triumph. He commanded the offense all afternoon and the positive effects of new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson were obvious. Miami and Cristobal now have the signature win they’ve needed and can continue to build momentum in both on-field play and recruiting.
The Hurricanes get Bethune-Cookman next week before traveling to Philadelphia to play Temple.
3 – North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton (vs. Appalachian State)
Stats: 27 Touches – 244 Yards – 3 Touchdowns
One of the best games of the weekend, North Carolina squeaked out a close 40-34 double overtime thriller against Appalachian State. You’d think the celebration would be behind Drake Maye here, but it was actually running back Omarion Hampton that spurred the Tar Heels to victory with 244 total yards and 3 touchdowns. The sophomore back averaged a whopping 9 yards per carry on the ground with only two big runs (over 25 yards), showing how consistent his performance was for the Heels.
Hampton and the Tar Heels play host to Minnesota in an interesting non-conference game between two 2-0 teams next Saturday.
4 – Miami (OH) WR Gage Larvadain (vs. Massachussets)
Stats: 8 Catches – 273 Yards – 3 Touchdowns
Larvadain, an FCS transfer from Southeast Louisiana, had a career day for the RedHawks in a bounce back 41-28 win over Massachusetts on Saturday. The speedster averaged 34.1 yards per catch, thanks in large part to a 99 yard receiving touchdown that put the RedHawks up 14-0 and never looked back. In a wide open MAC, the combo of quarterback Brett Gabbert and Larvadain might help put the RedHawks over the top and into the Championship game by seasons end.
Miami will travel to Cincinnati to play a tough Bearcats team next Saturday.
5 – Texas-San Antonio LB Trey Moore (vs. Texas State)
Stats: 7 Total Tackles – 3 Sacks
UTSA was in a dogfight against in-state opponent Texas State on Saturday, and a big reason for them pulling out the 20-13 victory was the play of pass rushing linebacker Trey Moore, who had 3 sacks of Bobcats quarterback TJ Finley. Two of those sacks came in the second half, while the Roadrunners were holding on to a one score lead and led to 3rd and longs that killed drives for the Bobcats. Moore also led the team in tackles on the day.
After a disappointing loss to Houston in the season opener, the Roadrunners will look to build some momentum with a game against Army next week before a tough task against Tennessee after.
