1 – Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II (vs. West Virginia)
Stats: 29 carries – 282 yards – 4 touchdowns
Back-to-back weeks on the Five Stars list for Cowboy running back Ollie Gordon II, who followed up a 284 yardage game against Kansas with a 282 yard game against West Virginia on Saturday. Oklahoma State needed every bit of the effort, as they were locked in a shootout with the Mountaineers before touchdown runs of 46 and 53 yards with under five minutes remaining solidified the Cowboys 48-34 victory.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Gundy and the Cowboys as they move to 5-2 on the season after appearing to be dead in the water after the South Alabama loss. They’ll host Cincinnati next Saturday night and Gordon will look to continue his incredible string of performances, albeit against a stout run defense.
2 – Oregon RB Bucky Irving (vs. Washington State)
Stats: 18 touches – 180 yards – 3 touchdowns
The Ducks bounced back after a tough loss to Washington by pounding the Washington State Cougars on Saturday in a 38-24 win, and did it behind the physicality of their run game. Lead back Bucky Irving averaged 8.6 yards per carry on the ground, and two third quarter touchdowns (both over 40 yards) allowed the Ducks to pull away and set sail on the Cougars.
Irving is now averaging 7.5 yards per carry for the Ducks in 2023, and will be counted on next Saturday in a Top 25 matchup with a hard-nosed Utah team in the 3:30 slate.
3 – Ohio State WR ‘Maserati‘ Marvin Harrison Jr. (vs. #7 Penn State)
Stats: 11 receptions – 162 yards – 1 touchdown
The Buckeyes offense hasn’t been its usual explosive self this season, but it never really stops Harrison from having a big game. See Saturdays matchup with Penn State an evidence. In the Buckeyes 20-12 victory over border rival Penn State, Harrison caught 11 passes and what would ultimately be the game ending touchdown with just under five minutes left to make it a two score game. His presence was also noticed earlier in the game, when Nittany Lions corner Kalen King was called for blatant holding on Harrison (the correct call) on a Penn State scoop and score that would have dramatically altered the outcome.
The Buckeyes take on Wisconsin next Saturday night in prime time on NBC, and everybody in the nation is praying we don’t have to hear Gus Johnson shout “Maserati Marv: anymore this season.
4 – James Madison DL Jalen Green (vs. Marshall)
Stats: 6 tackles – 5 sacks
James Madison moved to 7-0 this week with a big 20-9 win over a good Marshall team, and the biggest performance came from defensive lineman Jalen Green who sacked Herd quarterback Cam Fancher 5(!!) times en route to the Dukes victory.
The senior from Baltimore now has 13 sacks on the season to lead FBS and has been a driving force for a defense that ranks in the top 30 in most categories. The Dukes should be bowl eligible and the front runner for a New Years Six bid, but unfortunately the NCAA is a bunch of dorks who would prefer to watch the sport suffer than thrive. James Madison hosts Old Dominion next Saturday night as they look to keep their undefeated season in tact.
5 – UNLV K Jose Pizano (vs. Colorado State)
Stats: 6/6 FG, 1/1 XP
On Saturday night, UNLV became bowl eligible for the first time in a decade and for just the 5th time in school history and it was done via the leg of their kicker. Pizano nailed all six field goal attempts, including a 28 yard game winner with just 3 seconds left.
The senior moves to 18/19 on the season and has been a valuable asset for the Rebels, who move to 6-1 and in the driver seat to make the Mountain West Championship game. They’ll take on Fresno State in a late night FS1 matchup next Saturday night that might be worth staying awake to watch.
