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There were several outstanding performances across the SEC on Saturday, and the league honored them after the upset of Florida by LSU, including special teams performances from LSU and Alabama in its win over Arkansas.
LSU’s Max Johnson was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Tennessee’s Bryce Thompson and Georgia’s Erick Stokes shared the Defensive Player of the Week. LSU’s Cade York and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith were Co-Special Teams Players of the Week, and Auburn RB Tank Bisby was named Freshman of the Week.
Alabama LT Alex Leatherwood was named Offensive Lineman of the Week, while Auburn’s Derick Hall was named Defensive Player of the Week.
In first career start, Johnson led LSU to a 37-34 win over No. 6 Florida in Gainesville. He became first true freshman quarterback in LSU history to beat a team ranked in the Top 10 in first career start.
Thompson swung the momentum of the game on Saturday for the Vols, making a spectacular one-handed interception and returning it 18 yards for a touchdown as Tennessee topped Vanderbilt, 42-17.
The pick six came in the second quarter with the Vols trailing 10-7 and ignited 28 unanswered points for Tennessee.
Stokes had two tackles and an interception that he returned 27 yards on Missouri’s opening drive that put the ball at the Tiger 23-yard line. He is tied for the league lead with four picks and has returned two of those for touchdowns, which puts him at the top of the national list.
York made three field goals, including a school-record 57-yarder with 23 seconds remaining to lift LSU to the victory.
Smith made the first punt return touchdown of his career with an 84-yard return in the win over Arkansas.
Bigsby rushed for a career-high 192 yards on 26 carries including 112 in the second half, to help Auburn to a 24-10 win over the SEC’s No. 4 rushing defense.
Leatherwood cleared a path for the Crimson Tide to average 5.7 yards per rush.
Hall made three tackles including two tackles for loss and two sacks in Auburn’s 24-10 win over Mississippi State.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
