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Several true freshmen continue to make an impact this season around the SEC. Here’s a look at some of the biggest contributions during Week 11:
Alabama: Calvin Ridley continues to progress at wide receiver for the Crimson Tide, catching 5 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in Alabama’s 31-6 win at Mississippi State. Offensively, Ridley was joined by true freshmen running backs Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris, who each got a little playing time. Scarbrough had 3 carries for 13 yards while Harris carried 3 times for 4 yards and had 1 catch for 5 yards. Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick had 6 tackles.
Arkansas: Dre Greenlaw’s rise to becoming one of the top freshmen in the SEC continues as he had a huge game in Arkansas’ upset of LSU. Greenlaw led the Razorbacks with 12 tackles, including a sack for a loss of 14 yards. Greenlaw was also credited with a forced fumble.
Auburn: Kerryon Johnson carried just 2 for 10 yards in Auburn’s loss to Georgia, but it included a 7-yard touchdown run. He also returned 2 kickoffs for 34 yards.
Florida: Running back Jordan Cronkrite found the end zone twice with a 3-yard touchdown run and a 41-yard reception for a score. He finished with 73 all-purpose yards. Wide receiver Antonio Callaway had 5 catches for 60 yards.
Georgia: Wide receiver Terry Godwin had 2 rushes for 14 yards in the Bulldogs’ victory against Auburn.
Kentucky: Defensive back Chris Westry had just 1 tackle and tight end C.J. Conrad had 1 catch for 8 yards in the loss to Vanderbilt.
LSU: Defensive lineman Arden Key had 3 tackles, including a sack, in the loss to Arkansas. Derrius Guice had 5 kickoff returns for a total of 132 yards. He added 6 rushing yards to lead the Tigers in all-purpose yardage.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs didn’t get a major contribution from true freshmen in the loss to Alabama.
Ole Miss: The Rebels had a bye week.
Missouri: Drew Lock emerged from a tumultuous week at Mizzou to have his best game quarterbacking the Tigers. Lock completed 19 of 28 passes for 244 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. He also rushed 3 times for 26 yards in the win against BYU. Corey Fatony punted 3 times with an average of 43 yards, a long of 56 and one downed inside the 20-yard line.
South Carolina: Tight end Hayden Hurst had 2 catches for 12 yards.
Tennessee: The Vols played 13 true freshmen in a 24-0 victory against North Texas. Darrin Kirkland Jr. started at middle linebacker and had a team-high 8 tackles. Quarterback Quinten Dormady got playing time in the fourth quarter and completed 3 of 5 passes for 36 yards. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings had 1 catch for 26 yards.
Texas A&M: The Aggies got back on track with a blowout of Western Carolina. Quarterback Kyler Murray completed 22 of 39 passes for 191 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also rushed for 50 yards. Christian Kirk had 9 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensive tackle Daylon Mack had 4 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss.
Vanderbilt: Quarterback Kyle Shurmur got the call again this weekend and stepped up, completing 13 of 26 passes for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns against Kentucky in what was Vandy’s best offensive game against an FBS opponent.
Shane Mettlen is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Texas A&M, Missouri and Alabama.
