Week 9 of college football showcased remarkable individual performances, with standout players making headlines across the nation. Among them, KJ Duff of Rutgers delivered an extraordinary display, amassing 241 receiving yards on just six receptions in the team’s victory over Purdue. His performance, which included an impressive average of 6.89 yards per route run, earned him the title of Offensive Player of the Week.
The Iowa Hawkeyes’ offensive line continued to impress, securing the “Offensive Line of the Week” recognition for the second consecutive week. In their match against Minnesota, they allowed only one pressure while excelling in both pass protection and run blocking. Each of the five linemen who played over 40 snaps received PFF pass-blocking grades above 80.0, showcasing their dominance.
The standout performers of the week were highlighted by the following top grades in various positions:
Top Offensive Players
The highest-graded offensive players (excluding quarterbacks) included:
– Cade Keith, New Mexico, TE, Grade: 96.2
– Javen Nicholas, Charlotte, WR, Grade: 91.0
– Jayce Brown, Kansas State, WR, Grade: 90.6
– Tychaun Chapman, Southern Miss, WR, Grade: 90.3
– Rohan Jones, Arkansas, TE, Grade: 90.3
These players demonstrated exceptional skills, contributing significantly to their teams’ offensive efforts.
Defensive Highlights
On the defensive side, the following players achieved the highest grades:
– Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn, CB, Grade: 95.5
– Michael Heldman, Central Michigan, EDGE, Grade: 93.5
– Jack Janikowski, Washington State, EDGE, Grade: 92.3
– Tano Letuli, San Diego State, LB, Grade: 91.5
– Kani Walker, Arkansas, CB, Grade: 90.6
These defenders showcased their prowess, making crucial plays that impacted their respective games.
Quarterback performance also drew attention, with Avery Johnson of Kansas State being named Quarterback of the Week. Johnson completed 11 of 17 passes for 231 yards and accounted for two touchdowns, earning a PFF grade of 91.9.
In recognition of defensive excellence, Dion Crawford from Buffalo was named Run Defender of the Week, achieving a PFF run-defense grade of 91.8. He recorded a forced fumble and seven tackles, demonstrating his impact on the field.
The week also saw Kani Walker again acknowledged as the Coverage Defender of the Week, having allowed only two receptions for 57 yards against Auburn while making a pass breakup and an interception.
As the season progresses, these performances highlight the depth of talent in college football, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season. Fans can look forward to even more thrilling matchups and standout performances in the weeks ahead.
