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Here is a look at some of the SEC’s top performing position units in Week 3:
QUARTERBACKS — Georgia: Who saw this one coming? I mean, the South Carolina defense isn’t exactly know as one of the league’s elite by any stretch of the imagination, but Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert had struggled mightily as the Georgia quarterback prior to this outing. He was one throw away from a perfect out on Saturday, completing 24 of 25 pass attempts for 330 yards and three touchdowns. The 96-percent completion rate set a new NCAA single-game record (20 attempt minimum).
RUNNING BACKS — LSU: Let’s just cut to the chase, the LSU rushing attack flat out embarrassed Auburn’s defense on Saturday, to the tune of 411 yards rushing on 48 attempts. Most of that damage was done by sophomore sensation Leonard Fournette, who put together a whole season’s worth of highlights during his 19 carry performance, which netted 228 yards and three rushing touchdowns. It was the best rushing effort we have witnessed in the early going of 2015, and is likely to hold up as one of the better ones of the entire season.
WIDE RECEIVERS — Ole Miss: This group really showed its stuff against No. 2 Alabama on Saturday. Cody Core continued to flash big-play ability, leading the Rebels with 123 yards on four catches. Laquon Treadwell is looking more and more like himself as the weeks go by, and he capped a five-catch, 80-yard day by making a very nice catch over a defender in the end zone late in the game. Quincy Adeboyejo made what might end up being the play of the year on a tipped ball. Each of the three hauled in a touchdown reception.
OFFENSIVE LINE — LSU: It is hard to give Leonard Fournette all of the love for Saturday’s performance without a tip of the cap to the big uglies paving the way for him. 411 yards rushing against a conference opponent just doesn’t happen without excellent run blocking. Furthermore, running backs don’t just continue to find green space to run when the whole world knows they are going to be running the ball, unless the offensive line is performing at a high level. Well done, Tigers.
DEFENSIVE LINE — Florida: While Missouri’s defensive front turned in another fine effort against UConn (nine tackles for loss), we’re going to give the nod to the Gators this week. Just ask Kentucky QB Patrick Towles which group he would have chosen. He was sacked six times on Saturday, was pressured into a couple of interceptions and completed just 8 of 24 pass attempts. The Gators defensive line harassed him. Jonathan Bullard and Alex McCalister had two sacks each. Kentucky also was unable to run the ball against this front, gaining just 115 yards on 41 carries.
LINEBACKERS — Kentucky: Though the Wildcats were 14-9 losers on Saturday, don’t even think about putting the blame on this unit of the team. Khalid Henderson (nine tackles) and Josh Forrest (eight tackles) were the team’s two top tacklers, Jabari Johnson threw in four tackles and a sack and Denzil Ware forced a fumble. As a whole, the Wildcats defense allowed the Gators just 245 yards of offense, and the linebacker play was a big part of that.
DEFENSIVE BACKS — Ole Miss: Three interceptions by a Rebels secondary that has been one of the best in the league this season was a key piece to the Ole Miss victory at Alabama on Saturday night. Though they allowed 288 yards through the air, the Rebels secondary faced a 58-throw onslaught from a Crimson Tide passing game that was playing from behind for most of the game and, for the most part, stood tall when it mattered most.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
