Week 8 was all about the big play.
Whether it was Ohio State making the stop on third down or Virginia’s James Jackson intercepting North Carolina in the final minutes, there were a number of plays that defined Week 8.
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Here are some of the top statistical performances from Week 7.
Baker blows a kiss during UCF-Oklahoma
UCF-Oklahoma was a lot closer than maybe many expected.
Both teams tied at 17 points apiece at halftime, and one of the more eye-catching touchdowns took place in the first half.
Trailing 14-10, UCF faced a long way to go when it began its drive with 1:43 left in the second quarter. It started at its own 14-yard line.
After a rush for no gain, Oklahoma called a timeout and allowed UCF to regroup.
On the next play out of the timeout, UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee wound up and found receiver Javon Baker wide open on the left side of the field.
Baker brought in the reception, then with open space blew a kiss toward the Oklahoma sideline en route to his 86-yard touchdown.
It flipped the score in favor of the Knights who later led by as much as 23-17 in the fourth quarter.
Boston College brings down an acrobatic pick-six
Boston College faced an early 7-3 deficit against Georgia Tech, a matchup between two 3-3 teams.
Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King dropped back to pass facing a heavy blitz by the Eagles. King looked to his left for receiver Dominick Blaylock but couldn’t connect.
Eagles cornerback Amari Jackson dropped back in coverage, then came forward to defend Blaylock. The pass came in and Jackson threw up his arms, then later came down with the interception and returned it 30 yards for the pick-six.
It was a score among five that led to Boston College upending Georgia Tech 38-23. Jackson finished with four tackles along with the interception.
Memphis makes the pick-six
Deadlocked at 14 points apiece through most of the second quarter, Memphis and UAB remained tied in a back-and-forth first half.
UAB quarterback Harrison Barker and the Blazers began their drive with 6:30 left on the clock in the first half from their own 33-yard line.
After a 4-yard rush and an incompletion, Barker dropped back on third and six. He ranged to his left where he threw the football, which deflected off the group of players including his intended receiver.
The ball dropped back toward the pile where Memphis defensive back Malik Feaster brought it in, and he took off 36 yards up the sideline for the pick-six.
Feaster finished with one tackle and a pass break-up in addition to his pick-six.
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
This week’s leading rusher was worthy of his own place in the Stat Pack.
Gordon rushed for a weekly high of 282 yards across 29 carries, averaging more than nine yards each time he ran the football.
Gordon played a large role in Oklahoma State’s 48-34 beating of West Virginia, helping the Cowboys claim a third-consecutive win.
Gordon had runs of 53, 46, 34 and 32 yards among his longest of the day. Two of his final three carries went for long touchdowns on rushes of 46 and 53 yards.
The Fort Worth, Texas, native scored a career-high four touchdowns in the effort against the Mountaineers.
Rutgers blocks the punt on way to bowl eligibility
The ground game ruled most of the day on Saturday between Rutgers and Indiana, and the two teams combined for four rushing touchdowns in the game.
But one play that served as a sort of momentum difference-maker came early in the second quarter.
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Indiana was about to cap a seven-play drive with a punt on fourth and 13. Hoosiers punter James Evans received the football after the snap, then disaster struck.
Rutgers defensive back Shaquan Loyal leapt forward and blocked the punt from the right side of the line of scrimmage, and the football dangled toward defensive back Eric Rogers.
Rogers came down with the football and raced toward the end zone where he punched in 17 yards later.
It helped Rutgers defeat the Hoosiers 31-14 and clinch their sixth win, earning bowl eligibility for the first time since 2014. Rogers also had a pass break-up in addition to his special teams touchdown.
