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Week 1 was truly insane in the SEC, with favored teams going down left and right. Here’s a list of teams that got it done in the box score, if not in the win column.
Most passing yards (individual)
It’s worth noting that Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly has yet to play, so this list is subject to change, but the pair of Drews from the SEC East currently hold the crown. Each had his own issues – with Barker exploding in the first quarter, only to have UK give up 34 straight points in the loss. Lock’s stats were equally hollow, slicing the WVU defense but failing to score more than one TD.
Drew Barker, UK — 15/24, 323 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Drew Lock, Mizzou — 23/51, 280 yards, 1 TD
Luke Del Rio, UF — 29/44, 256 yards, 2 TD
Most rushing yards (individual)
LSU running back Leonard Fournette had an overall strong day but was overshadowed by Georgia’s Nick Chubb, who ran for an extra 80 yards and a pair of scores.
Nick Chubb, UGA — 32 carries, 222 yards, 2 TDs
Damien Harris, ALA — 9 carries, 138 yards
Leonard Fournette, LSU — 23 carries, 138 yards
Most receiving yards (individual)
Three junior pass-catchers made a case to be their QB’s favorite option going forward. Each had a strong season last year, and this promising start opens up a world of possibilities.
Garrett Johnson, UK — 6 catches, 143 yards, 2 TD
Isaiah McKenzie, UGA — 6 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD
ArDarius Stewart, ALA — 4 catches, 113 yards, 2 TD
Most total yards (team)
Georgia terrorized Gene Chizik’s UNC defense and Alabama steamrolled USC, while Missouri only managed 11 points.
Georgia (vs. UNC) — 474
Alabama (vs. USC) — 465
Missouri (vs. WVU) — 462
Most rushing yards (team)
Georgia and Alabama were carried on the backs of their dominant backs, while Mississippi State was saved by 93 yards by their quarterback Damian Williams.
Georgia (vs. UNC) — 52 carries, 289 yards, 3 TD
Alabama (vs. USC) — 45 carries, 242 yards, 3 TD
Mississippi State (vs. USA) — 34 carries, 239 yards, 1 TD
Most rushing yards allowed
Tennessee and Kentucky were gashed by seemingly inferior foes, while Missouri’s typically strong D-line was the victim of staying on the field too long against a Dana Holgorsen offense.
Kentucky (vs. Southern Miss) — 262
Missouri (vs. WVU) — 241
Tennessee (vs. App State) — 184
*Honorable mention: Georgia (vs. UNC) — Georgia gave up 159 yards and 2 TDs on only 19 carries. That’s an average of 8.4 per carry.
Fewest rushing yards allowed
The Alabama statistical steamroller continues, Arkansas stopped the yards but not the scores, and Florida surrendered an SEC-best 1.3 yards per carry.
Florida (vs. UMass) — 46
Alabama (vs. USC) — 64
Arkansas (vs. La. Tech) — 79
Most passing yards allowed
The Aggies got all they could handle from UCLA’s Josh Rosen, but their three interceptions limited him to a very average day. Mississippi State had problems with USA. Kentucky just fell apart late and surrendered points on their last seven defensive drives.
Texas A&M (vs. UCLA) — 343
Mississippi State (vs. USA) — 285
Kentucky (vs. Southern Miss) — 258
Fewest passing yards allowed
South Carolina tops this list, mainly because of Vandy. Tennessee was able to hold App State in check, but its game plan was on the ground. Alabama really destroyed USC. Even though the Trojans chucked it 37 times, tied for the third-most that any SEC team has seen in the opening week, the Tide still allowed the second-fewest yards per attempt at 3.5.
South Carolina (vs. Vandy) — 73
Tennessee (vs. App State) — 108
Alabama (vs. USC) — 130
A former resident of both Baton Rouge and the heart of Crimson Tide country, Will Ogburn handles multimedia content and news coverage for Saturday Down South.
