The 2024 NFL Draft continued Friday with the second and third rounds picking through No. 100 overall. It began with wide receivers Keon Coleman of Florida State and Georgia’s Ladd McConkey going back to back at Nos. 33-34 to the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively, and ended with Rice’s Luke McCaffrey being picked by the Washington Commanders. No quarterbacks were selected after six went in the first round on Thursday.

READ: No. 1 pick Caleb Williams says he wants to be part of ‘a big portion’ of winning with Chicago Bears after NFL Draft

More than 150,000 fans attended the draft on Thursday, and all 32 picks are listed in First Round Live Reaction: 2024 NFL Draft.

Michigan men go back-to-back in second round; Jim Harbaugh takes Los Angeles’ first Wolverine in third

Defending national champion Michigan sent an NFL Scouting Combine-record 18 participants to Indianapolis earlier this offseason.

Michigan saw six players drafted in the second and third rounds, bringing its total to seven so far this draft after quarterback J.J. McCarthy went No. 10 overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

READ: ‘Adversity teaches a man a lot about himself’: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. pens letter to NFL GMs in Players Tribune

Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was the second Wolverine picked in the draft when he went No. 49 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round. He began back-to-back selections of former Michigan players as cornerback Mike Sainristil went next at No. 50 overall.

New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh drafted his first former Wolverine when he chose linebacker Junior Colson in the third round at No. 69 overall.

The crosstown rival Los Angeles Rams selected former Michigan running back Blake Corum at No. 83 overall in the third round. He started a string of three-straight Wolverines drafted when wide receiver Roman Wilson went No. 84 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers and guard Zak Zinter was picked No. 85 overall by the Cleveland Browns.

Harbaugh broke out in song among Chargers personnel during the draft in a video posted on X.

Kirby Smart shouts out drafted Bulldogs

Georgia continued its streak of at least six Bulldogs picked in every draft since 2018.

READ: Florida State’s Braden Fiske motivated by ‘huge impact’ leading up to NFL Draft

Four more of head coach Kirby Smart’s former players heard their names called in Detroit: McConkey and defensive backs Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Tykee Smith.

Smart shouted each of the four Bulldog draftees on Friday, as he did Thursday for former tight end Brock Bowers and tackle Amarius Mims.

About McConkey, Smart posted: “Congrats @laddmcconkey02 !! So excited to watch you be a part of the @chargers. You’re such a great young man & I’m thankful for your time in Athens. You meant so much to this team, school & community. Always grateful for your impact on this program. GO DAWGS !!”

Of Lassiter, Smart posted: “Another Dawg off the board @kamari_lassiter!! You were such a good player, teammate and leader for this program, and I am so thankful for your impact. The @houstontexans are going to get a great player for their defense. I know you’ll represent us the right way and you’ll be very successful.  Enjoy this moment! GO DAWGS!!”

Of Bullard, Smart posted: “Bull to Green Bay!! @cravejaaye I know you’ve worked really hard for this & so happy you were able to reach your goals and more. You have a bright future & I’m proud of you. The @packers are getting a great player and an even better person. I hope you can come back to Athens sometime this fall. GO DAWGS !!”

Of Smith, Smart posted: “Let’s go @TykSmith!! Can’t wait to see what you do in Tampa Bay. You’re such a great player, leader and person and I am so happy for you that your dreams are becoming a reality. Soak in this moment with your family! Thanks for all you’ve done & GO DAWGS!!”

READ: Jayden Daniels says he’ll ‘be ready’ for NFL after LSU Pro Day

2024 NFL Draft results

Here are the full results from rounds two and three of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Second round

No. 33: Buffalo Bills via trade with Carolina Panthers: WR Keon Coleman — Florida State

No. 34: Los Angeles Chargers via trade with New England Patriots: WR Ladd McConkey — Georgia

No. 35: Atlanta Falcons via trade with Arizona Cardinals: DT Ruke Orhorhoro — Clemson

No. 36: Washington Commanders: DT Jer’Zhan Newton — Illinois

No. 37: New England Patriots via trade with Los Angeles Chargers: WR Ja’Lynn Polk — Washington

No. 38: Tennessee Titans: DT T’Vondre Sweat — Texas

No. 39: Los Angeles Rams via trade with Carolina Panthers (from N.Y. Giants): DT Braden Fiske — Florida State

No. 40: Philadelphia Eagles via trade with Washington Commanders (from Chicago): CB Cooper DeJean — Iowa

No. 41: New Orleans Saints via trade with Green Bay Packers (from N.Y. Jets): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry — Alabama

No. 42: Houston Texans (from Minnesota): CB Kamari Lassiter — Georgia

No. 43: Arizona Cardinals via trade with Atlanta Falcons: CB Max Melton — Rutgers

No. 44: Las Vegas Raiders: OC Jackson Powers-Johnson — Oregon

No. 45: Green Bay Packers via trade with New Orleans Saints (from Denver): LB Edgerrin Cooper — Texas A&M

No. 46: Carolina Panthers via trade with Indianapolis Colts: RB Jonathon Brooks — Texas

No. 47: New York Giants (from Seattle): SAF Tyler Nubin — Minnesota

No. 48: Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Maason Smith — LSU

No. 49: Cincinnati Bengals: DT Kris Jenkins — Michigan

No. 50: Washington Commanders via trade with Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): CB Mike Sainristil — Michigan

No. 51: Pittsburgh Steelers: OC Zach Frazier — West Virginia

No. 52: Indianapolis Colts via trade with Los Angeles Rams: WR Adonai Mitchell — Texas

No. 53: Washington Commanders via trade with Philadelphia Eagles: TE Ben Sinnott — Kansas State

No. 54: Cleveland Browns: DT Michael Hall Jr. — Ohio State

No. 55: Miami Dolphins: OT Patrick Paul — Houston

No. 56: Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Marshawn Kneeland — Western Michigan

No. 57: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Chris Braswell — Alabama

No. 58: Green Bay Packers: SAF Javon Bullard — Georgia

No. 59: Houston Texans: OT Blake Fisher — Notre Dame

No. 60: Buffalo Bills: SAF Cole Bishop — Utah

No. 61: Detroit Lions: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. — Missouri

No. 62: Baltimore Ravens: OT Roger Rosengarten — Washington

No. 63: Kansas City Chiefs via trade with San Francisco 49ers: OT Kingsley Suamataia — BYU

No. 64: San Francisco 49ers via trade with Kansas City Chiefs: CB Renardo Green — Florida State

Third round

No. 65: New York Jets via trade with Carolina Panthers: WR Malachi Corley — Western Kentucky

No. 66: Arizona Cardinals: RB Trey Benson — Florida State

No. 67: Washington Commanders: OG Brandon Coleman — TCU

No. 68: New England Patriots: OT Caedan Wallace — Penn State

No. 69: Los Angeles Chargers: LB Junior Colson — Michigan

No. 70: New York Giants: CB Andru Phillips — Kentucky

No. 71: Arizona Cardinals (from Tennessee): OG Isaiah Adams — Illinois

No. 72: Carolina Panthers via trade with New York Jets: LB Trevin Wallace — Kentucky

No. 73: Dallas Cowboys via trade with Detroit Lions (from Minnesota): OG Cooper Beebe — Kansas State

No. 74: Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Bralen Trice — Washington

No. 75: Chicago Bears: OT Kiran Amegadjie — Yale

No. 76: Denver Broncos: EDGE Jonah Elliss — Utah

No. 77: Las Vegas Raiders: OT Delmar Glaze — Maryland

No. 78: Houston Texans via trade with Washington Commanders (from Seattle): SAF Calen Bullock — USC

No. 79: Atlanta Falcons (from Jacksonville): OT Matt Goncalves — Pittsburgh

No. 80: Cincinnati Bengals: WR Jermaine Burton — Alabama

No. 81: Seattle Seahawks (from New Orleans through Denver): OG Christian Haynes — UConn

No. 82: Arizona Cardinals via trade with Indianapolis Colts: TE Tip Reiman — Illinois

No. 83: Los Angeles Rams: RB Blake Corum — Michigan

No. 84: Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Roman Wilson — Michigan

No. 85: Cleveland Browns: OG Zak Zinter — Michigan

No. 86: San Francisco 49ers via trade with Houston Texans (from Philadelphia): OG Dominick Puni — Kansas

No. 87: Dallas Cowboys: LB Marist Liufau — Notre Dame

No. 88: Green Bay Packers: RB MarShawn Lloyd — USC

No. 89: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: SAF Tykee Smith — Georgia

No. 90: Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): CB Elijah Jones — Boston College

No. 91: Green Bay Packers (from Buffalo): LB Ty’Ron Hopper — Missouri

No. 92: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Detroit): WR Jalen McMillan — Washington

No. 93: Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Adisa Isaac — Penn State

No. 94: Philadelphia Eagles via trade with San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Jalyx Hunt — Houston Christian University

No. 95: Buffalo Bills via trade with Kansas City Chiefs: DT DeWayne Carter — Duke

No. 96: Jacksonville Jaguars (Compensatory Selection): CB Jarrian Jones — Florida State

No. 97: Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory Selection): DT McKinnley Jackson — Texas A&M

No. 98: Pittsburgh Steelers (from Philadelphia; Compensatory Selection): LB Payton Wilson — NC State

No. 99: Los Angeles Rams (Special Compensatory Selection): SAF Kamren Kinchens — Miami

No. 100: Washington Commanders (from San Francisco; Special Compensatory Selection): WR Luke McCaffrey — Rice

The post Notes and Reaction: Rounds 2-3 of 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on Saturday Glory.

This year, record-breaking runs and jumps took center stage, all the while spiral passes were aplenty and many an NFL executive likely left with new impressions on some of their future players. 

READ: Pitt WR Bub Means looks to gain momentum from NFL Combine

Widely projected No. 1 overall pick USC quarterback Caleb Williams was among the biggest talking points of the combine. Williams chose not to take part in measurements and on-field workouts, instead opting to share medical information with specific teams interested in drafting him, and he did take the podium for a media session. 

Also absent from the combine was Biletnikoff Award winner and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. He’ll likely compete at the Buckeyes Pro Day on March 20. 

The NFL Draft is less than two months away beginning April 25 in Detroit. Here are five takeaways from this year’s combine. 

Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy breaks records. Could he climb the draft board? 

John Ross’ previous combine 40-yard dash record has been broken. 

It took Texas wide receiver Xaver Worthy two tries before he earned the crown of fastest 40 time in combine history. Worthy blazed his way to a 4.21 official time, topping Ross’ best by 0.01 seconds. 

So now, how does this affect Worthy’s draft positioning? According to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 draft-eligible prospects, Worthy is No. 41 among top players expected to be taken in April’s NFL Draft. 

Ross went No. 9 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft. Worthy might not be selected that high while competing against other receivers such as Harrison, LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze for who takes WR1 this draft, but his 40-yard dash time will certainly draw interest from NFL teams. 

Worthy finished second in the Big 12 Conference with 1,014 receiving yards and third with 75 receptions. He added five touchdown receptions. 

Could a defensive back make a surprise early selection? 

Every year since the 2020 NFL Draft, a defensive back has been selected within the top 10 picks. 

READ: Texas WR Xavier Worthy breaks 40-yard dash record with 4.21 time at NFL Combine

According to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50draft-eligible prospects, the highest ranked defensive back is Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 9. 

Arnold had a strong combine performance in Indianapolis. He scored a 90 on the production rating to place first among cornerbacks, according to NFL.com. 

Arnold ran a 4.5 40 and leapt to a 10-foot, nine-inch broad jump and 37-inch vertical. He led the Southeastern Conference with 17 passes defended and tied for first with five interceptions last season. 

Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins also impressed with his speed. He ran a 4.28 40, fastest among cornerbacks, but felt a pop in his groin and dealt with injury. 

Among other combine standouts in the secondary were Utah safety Cole Bishop and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell. Bishop ran a 4.45 40, fifth-fastest among safeties, and Mitchell led with 20 reps on the bench press. 

Each year it seems a defensive back rises the draft board and hears his name called earlier than expected. The 2024 NFL Draft might not be much different for teams looking to upgrade their secondary. 

Which lineman saw his draft value rise most? 

Sometimes, the game is won in the trenches. 

Defensive linemen kicked off the combine on Thursday and offensive linemen wrapped up the event on Sunday. Plenty of players stood out along the line of scrimmage and during on-field workouts, leading to eyebrow-raising evaluations for some. 

Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Georgia’s Amarius Mims didn’t compete fully due to injuries. Fashanu suffered a right thigh injury, while Mims had a right hamstring injury, according to Stacey Dales of NFL Network. Both are projected to be among the top offensive linemen taken in the draft. 

READ: Alabama WR Jermaine Burton ready to ‘bring the same intensity and energy’ on Saturdays to NFL Combine

Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini might be one lineman who saw his value rise most. Bortolini ran a 4.94 40, which was the second-fastest time among offensive linemen, and his 99 athleticism score was first among centers according to NFL.com. 

Who might’ve rose most along the defensive line? Well, one wouldn’t have to look much further than the South. 

Florida State’s Braden Fiske and Texas’ Byron Murphy II clamored some of the most buzz on Day 1 of the combine. Both defensive tackles placed among the top-three at their position in the 40, running 4.87 or better, while Fiske led with a 33.5-inch vertical, 9-foot, nine-inch broad jump and 4.37 shuttle run. 

Murphy had top-five finishes in the 10-yard split, vertical and on the bench. The DeSoto, Texas, native had 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks last season. 

For teams looking to take an anchor along the line this draft, they’ll have some viable options to choose from. 

Longhorns likely a strong combine winner 

Perhaps no other college program had a better combine than Texas. 

Murphy opened some eyes during defensive tackle drills, and his teammate and Outland Trophy winner T’Vondre Sweat was expected to lead in his group as well. 

Sweat ran a 5.27 40 with a 1.8-second 10-yard split, and he also jumped 26 inches on the vertical and 8-feet, 2-inches on the broad jump. His production score was fourth among defensive tackles according to NFL.com. 

READ: Arizona WR Jacob Cowing hopes to impress at NFL Combine

In addition to the defensive line standouts was Worthy, who broke the record for fastest 40 time with a 4.21 clock. 

Texas had 11 participants in the combine this year: Murphy, Sweat, Worthy, running backs Jonathon Brooks and Keilan Robinson, wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, offensive lineman Christian Jones, linebacker Jaylan Ford and defensive back Ryan Watts. 

The Longhorns went 12-2 last season and won the Big 12, advancing to their first College Football Playoff appearance under third-year head coach Steve Sarkisian. They’ll return quarterback Quinn Ewers for his senior season. 

According to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 draft-eligible prospects, Murphy is the highest projected at No. 22. Mitchell is close behind at No. 33. 

All eyes are on USC’s Caleb Williams and LSU’s Jayden Daniels 

The combine this year didn’t get to see a pair of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks throw on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

But the beat goes on. 2022 Heisman winner Williams will have the chance to throw at the Trojans’ Pro Day on March 20, and LSU quarterback and last season’s Heisman recipient Jayden Daniels will throw at his Pro Day on March 27. 

Williams said it was a team decision for him not to take part in measurements and on-field workouts, and Daniels spoke similarly while both met with numerous NFL teams. 

Williams is No. 1 and Daniels is No. 6 — one spot behind North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye at No. 5 — according to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 draft-eligible prospects list. 

READ: Oregon State WR Anthony Gould wants to ‘give the scouts a reason to cut up my tape’ at NFL Combine

The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 pick in the draft, and they have an interesting situation to address with starter Justin Fields. The Bears have been tied to Williams plenty this draft cycle, while rumors swirl about Daniels being picked as early as No. 2 to the Washington Commanders or No. 3 to the New England Patriots. 

Much is left to be determined between now and the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. Both Williams and Daniels will throw at their pro days and continue to meet with NFL teams. 

But the race for the No. 1 pick is on. 

The post 5 takeaways from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

The Longhorns allowed Kansas State to score 16 points in the fourth quarter, and they surrendered 20 unanswered points as Texas watched its once 27-7 lead evaporate into a 27-27 deadlock after the Wildcats missed the extra point with 12:37 left.

PODCAST: Calculated Risk: Previewing a week 10 with plenty of intrigue

Texas kicker Bert Auburn made a 34-yard field goal to give the Longhorns a brief 30-27 lead with more than six minutes remaining. 

Kansas State then managed a nine-play, 66-yard drive down the field and into field goal territory. After three stops inside the red zone, Wildcats kicker Chris Tennant missed a 27-yard field goal try, and it seemed Texas had the game in hand. 

The Wildcats forced a quick three-and-out on the next series, and they got the ball back at their own 40-yard line with 1:18 on the clock. 

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard dialed up an 18-yard pass on fourth and six to move to Texas’ 27-yard line. With 1 second left, Tennant redeemed himself and made a long 45-yard field goal to send the game to overtime. 

Texas gained just one yard on its only overtime possession thanks to running back Jonathon Brooks, and it set up Auburn for a 42-yard field goal which he made. 

With its back against the wall, Kansas State had four plays to score the game-winning touchdown. Howard connected on a 19-yard pass to begin the series. 

But that was nearly all the Wildcats generated in overtime, as Texas defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat made two key pass break-ups to seal the win. 

READ: Clemson snaps 2-game skid, beats No. 15 Notre Dame 31-23

Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy, playing for an injured Quinn Ewers, totaled 248 passing yards, two interceptions and a touchdown. Brooks had 112 rushing yards and a score while receiver Adonai Mitchell had 149 receiving yards and a touchdown. 

Howard finished with 327 passing yards, four touchdowns and an interception. 

The post No. 7 Texas keeps CFP hopes alive, outlasts Kansas State in OT  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

There are four ranked matchups this week, headlined by the Red River Rivalry between No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 3 Texas in Dallas. 

PODCAST: 5 Questions Florida Needs to Answer After Loss to Kentucky

No. 1 Georgia will also look to go 6-0 and clinch bowl eligibility against No. 20 Kentucky, which is riding hot off a Top 25 upset of then-No. 22 Florida thanks to a 280-yard rushing performance by running back Ray Davis. 

Here are several games to watch this Saturday. 

No. 12 Oklahoma at No. 3 Texas  

The Red River Rivalry, in Dallas. 

The biggest stage between some of the biggest programs in all of college football is set to host Oklahoma and Texas at noon on ABC. 

“As far as this game, Red River Rivalry, that’s why we’re in college football, right, to be part be part of games like this,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “Two undefeated teams, two top-25 teams. The spotlight of college football will be on us. I think that the beauty for us this will be our third top-25 matchup now in six games, and every team we’ve played has got a winning record and is doing good things. So I think that we’ve been exposed to some high level football now through five weeks and naturally we understand the emotions that will come with this game and different things. I think it’s critical for us that we have a great week of preparation, that we take it one day at a time and then we go in with the mindset to execute on Saturday.” 

The Longhorns have already claimed ranked wins at Alabama and against Kansas, and they’ll have another shot to earn a Top 25 victory once again. 

Both Oklahoma and Texas will meet one more time before the two jump from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference beginning next year. 

READ: Big Board: Week 6

The Sooners rank ahead of Texas in total offense, averaging 510 yards per game, and the Longhorns are atop the Big 12 in total defense just ahead of Oklahoma at No. 2. 

The quarterback matchup between Quinn Ewers of Texas and Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel should be a fun one. Both gunslingers have over 1,358 passing yards. 

“Going to be again, a wonderful environment against a really talented, hot Texas team that play on paper and on film they play their best when they’re playing really good people,” Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables said. “Texas has always risen to the occasion and done so but coming off a really good, strong game last week against Kansas where they had almost 700 yards of offense and really were unstoppable. And they’ve been outstanding in all the areas you peel it back whether that’s rush defense or pass defense or scoring defense or red zone defense. If that’s offensively how efficient that they’ve been. They’ve got incredible weapons at the skill position. They lost some great backs last year and they’ve obviously shown they’ve really recruited well. (Jonathon) Brooks is one of a number of their backs that is running really, really well. (Xavier) Worthy, (Adonai) Mitchell, (Ja’Tavion) Sanders, amongst others are just some really incredibly talented players. Ewers was a true freshman last year, played pretty dang good and he’s playing at a really high level. Obviously against Alabama in Tuscaloosa (he) threw for just south of 350 yards and that was the National Player of the Week. So again, we got a great, great challenge. They’re spearheaded on defense by Jaylan Ford who is as good of a linebacker that’s out there in college football, and special teams have been really strong for them. But again, I like where we’re at as well. I want to see where we’re at. If you want to continue to improve and create change, we’re certainly not where we want to be by in any way shape or form, that doesn’t mean that you’re not thankful for your players and your coaches and the hard work that guys have put in and the success that we’ve had you got to celebrate.” 

No. 13 Washington State at UCLA  

Both Washington State and UCLA are coming off bye weeks, and they’ll meet in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. 

Washington State head coach Jake Dickert said he’s familiar with Chip Kelly’s style of offense. Though, Dickert also said he has “not seen a bigger, longer defense” than UCLA’s “in a long time.”

READ: Quotables: Week 5

“These guys are long and have great length and they’re attacking, and they’re playing tremendously on that side of the ball,” Dickert said. “I mean, it is impressive to watch their physicality, the (Laiatu) Latu kid is a problem. Most people have him in the top half of the first round. And then 53 when the Hawaii contingent was here, they used to talk about this kid. He is physical, he is downhill, he is aggressive. So I think they’re playing with supreme confidence on that side of the ball and it’s showing as one of the best defenses in our league so it presents a big challenge, especially up front and how much they want to blitz. 

Washington State has generated the No. 4 total offense in the Pac-12, averaging 533.8 yards per game. 

In the Cougars’ most recent game, their quarterback Cam Ward threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns. 

Offense has helped lead Washington State to its first 4-0 start since 2017, and Dickert expects this one to come down to a defensive battle. 

“They got a great receiver on the outside, and very unique schemes” Dickert said. “I mean, very unique schemes and week to week changes quite a bit, and I think it’s well documented how hard it is to go down in L.A. and win.” 

No. 2 Michigan at Minnesota  

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has found a rhythm to begin the 2023 season. 

He is No. 5 among passers with a 191.64 passing efficiency rating, and McCarthy is No. 3 behind a 79% completion. 

PODCAST: What we learned coming out of week five

McCarthy’s favorite target is far and away receiver Roman Wilson, who has caught eight of McCarthy’s 10 touchdown passes. 

The Wolverines got out to their 5-0 start without their head coach Jim Harbaugh for the first three games. Since his return in Week 4, Michigan has outscored its two opponents 76-14 allowing two touchdowns. 

Harbaugh said he sees another good defense on the Wolverines’ hands, and the Golden Gophers rank in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten in scoring and total defense. 

“Another really good defense, really stout,” Harbaugh said. “The quarterback has really come along, and they have a tremendous ability to run the ball. Physical team that is going to be, I mean, I love how they play. It’s an emotional, fired up type of team. P.J. (Fleck) does a great job. I mean, you can always tell they’re confident no matter what, no matter what the stakes are, the odds are, you just see it in the way they play. They play hard. It’s all you can ever ask for as a coach from your players is that they play hard. Our guys are doing it. Minnesota’s guys are. It’ll be a football fight like it is every Saturday, and we got to play good.” 

The post Preview Thursday: Week 6 appeared first on Saturday Glory.

This week, No. 1 Georgia faced a 17-10 second-half deficit and overcame Auburn 27-20 on the road. No. 2 Michigan took care of business against Nebraska, traveling to Lincoln and handing the Cornhuskers a 45-7 defeat.

PODCAST: Defense Still Matters and Saturday Proved It

Friday got the ball rolling early. No. 10 Utah suffered its first loss of the season when No. 19 Oregon State dialed up a 21-7 victory at home off the efforts quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who finished with 204 passing yards and a touchdown and interception, and receiver Silas Bolden, who totaled 100 yards. 

Here are some of the top statistical performances from Week 5. 

Jonathon Brooks, Texas 

Texas relies heavily on quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns are fourth in the Big 12 Conference averaging almost 287 passing yards per game. 

Brooks brought balance to the Longhorns this week. Texas had more than 325 yards both passing and rushing during its 40-14 win over Kansas. 

Brooks had over 200 of those yards by himself. He ran for 217 rushing yards across 20 carries, topping his previous career-high by 53 yards. 

READ: Carey replaces Bell as Indiana offensive coordinator

Brooks broke off his first big run in the second quarter on a 67-yard dash setting up first down at the Jayhawks 8-yard line. 

He added runs of 54, 12 and 11 yards, and Brooks converted seven first downs when he had the football. 

Ray Davis, Kentucky 

This week’s leading rusher had a big game during the Wildcats upset win over Florida. 

Davis found “another gear” in his 280-yard rushing performance. He garnered 26 carries which set a season-high. 

Davis got his day started with 206 rushing yards in the first half against the Gators. He had three touchdowns in that span, and his first came through the air on a 9-yard reception during the first quarter. 

Davis’ rushing touchdowns came later, as he piled on a 75-yard breakaway for a score late in the first quarter and added another on the next possession during the second quarter. 

He would finish with three rushing touchdowns on the day. Davis’ 280 rushing yards tied him for third-most in a single game in Kentucky program history. 

Omarion Miller, Colorado 

It took a half of football for Miller to turn on, but when he did, he did so decisively. 

Miller caught a 65-yard deep ball thrown by quarterback Shedeur Sanders midway through the third quarter. 

READ: Williams throws 6 TDs, No. 8 USC outslugs Colorado 48-41

As Colorado’s comeback bid began — the Buffaloes trailed as much as 41-14 in the second half — that was when Miller continued piling on big catches. 

He converted a first down on a 44-yard catch in the third quarter, and it set up a Sanders touchdown pass on the next play to pull the Buffaloes within 48-27. 

Miller caught a touchdown of his own after the fourth quarter began. He found an opportunity and took advantage on a 9-yard score that was part of Colorado’s stretch of 20 unanswered points. 

Miller finished with 196 receiving yards across seven catches, all coming in the second half of Colorado’s narrow 48-41 defeat to No. 9 USC. 

Jalen Royals, Utah State 

UConn’s comeback efforts also fell short to Utah State and Royals, who had a career-day in the 34-33 win. 

Royals caught the go-ahead touchdown on a 52-yard reception early in the fourth quarter on Saturday. Utah State then held a 31-24 lead that would have to withstand the test of time. 

And it did. Utah State blocked the game-tying extra point with 40 seconds left to seal its second win of the year. 

Royals caught a game-high 185 yards, which set a new career best, across seven receptions. He also had touchdowns of 71 and 15 yards. 

Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland 

A renowned quarterback who’s older brother currently quarterbacks the Miami Dolphins, Taulia Tagovailoa had a statement performance on Saturday against Indiana. 

Tagovailoa, the program’s career passing leader, went 24-of-34 for 352 passing yards, a season-high figure. 

READ: Davis finds ‘another gear’ in 280-yard performance against No. 22 Florida

Tagovailoa and Maryland converted 13 first downs through the air, and they went a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone. He added scoring throws of 9 and 3 yards. 

His farther passes went downfield for big payouts. Tagovailoa had six “big plays” of more than 15 passing yards: 62, 46, 31, 29, 23 and 19. 

Tagovailoa also finished with five touchdowns, which reached a new career-high for the fifth-year quarterback. He and the Terrapins have a major test this weekend when they travel to Columbus and face No. 4 Ohio State. 

The post Stat Pack: Week 5 appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Quinn Ewers led the No. 3 Longhorns Saturday night when Texas and the No. 3 Crimson Tide met on the football field. Ewers threw three touchdowns and 349 yards, and he put Texas on his back in the second half. 

The Longhorns already commanded a 13-6 halftime lead after two quarters. What happened next was out of a 12-round boxing match. 

Alabama scored 10 unanswered points to start the third quarter thanks largely in part to a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to Jermaine Burton. 

Leading 16-13, the Crimson Tide then surrendered a touchdown pass of their own, as Ewers found Adonai Mitchell from seven yards out for the go-ahead score. It flipped the scoreboard in favor of Texas, and the Longhorns held on to a 34-24 victory.

Milroe threw an interception as the Crimson Tide tried to answer Texas’ game-winning score. Jonathon Brooks followed by running in a 4-yard touchdown to give Texas a lead of as much as 27-16 with 13:50 left to play in the fourth quarter. 

Milroe later made up for his interception on a 39-yard touchdown pass to Amari Niblack with just over 11 minutes to play in the final quarter. Milroe finished with 255 passing yards and two touchdowns and interceptions apiece. 

It marked the possible final meeting between Texas and Alabama before the two programs compete against one another in conference play in the Southeastern Conference. It also was the first time the two teams met in Tuscaloosa since 1902, and it snapped Alabama’s 43-game winning streak in nonconference matchups and 21-game home win streak. 

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