Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
ALABAMA: The top-ranked Crimson Tide continued their dominant run to start the
season as it dismissed No. 11 Mississippi State, 38-7, on Saturday. They got
the ball rolling with three straight touchdown drives to start the game and
they never looked back. A.J. McCarron proved once again to be the master of
efficiency under center, completing 16-of-23 passes for 208 yards and two
touchdowns, and he extended his school-record streak of passes without an
interception as it now sits at 258 attempts. T.J. Yeldon had another effective
game rushing the ball with 84 yards and a touchdown, and Kenyan Drake (eight
carries, 47 yards, TD) also got into the act. As usual, the defense played
very well, holding the Bulldogs to just 256 yards, with their only touchdown
coming late in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided. Alabama
(8-0, 5-0 SEC) will head to Baton Rouge on Saturday to face off with ranked
rival LSU.
ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks managed to tie their game against Ole Miss at 27-27
following a Dennis Johnson touchdown run with just over two minutes to play in
regulation, but they fell victim to a last-second field goal to lose, 30-27,
to snap a modest two-game win streak. Johnson made the most of his touches on
the afternoon, carrying the ball 27 times for a career-high 161 yards and a
touchdown. Tyler Wilson threw for 297 yards and a pair of scores, but he
completed just 24-of-43 passes, threw two interceptions, and was sacked three
times. Cobi Hamilton continues his spectacular season at receiver, catching a
career-high 12 passes for 146 yards, and the 754 yards he has put up this
season is already a career-best. Arkansas (3-5, 2-3 SEC) will step out of
conference this Saturday as it tries to get back on track against Tulsa.
AUBURN: The Tigers' nightmare season reached a new low against Texas A&M over
the weekend, as they were blown out of their own stadium, 63-21. The defense
was torched by the Aggies for 671 yards, the most the team has allowed in a
game ever, and the offense had no answer either (335 yards). Clint Moseley (0-
of-1) started under center but was pulled after just one series. Kiehl Frazier
did not play well, completing 6-of-11 passes for 89 yards while being sacked
four times. He was eventually spelled for freshman quarterback Jonathan
Wallace, who showed signs of life at the position that the team has been
lacking all year, going 6-of-9 for 122 yards and two touchdowns, one to Emory
Blake (five reception, 106 yards) and the other to C.J. Uzomah (three
receptions, 90 yards). Wallace also rushed for 71 yards, and Tre Mason looked
good in limited reps out of the backfield (12 carries, 80 yards, TD). Auburn
(1-7, 0-6 SEC) is off to its worst start since 1952, and it will try to stop
the bleeding on Saturday in a non-conference matchup with New Mexico State.
FLORIDA: The Gators were plagued by an uncharacteristic six turnovers in a
crucial SEC Eastern Division bout with Georgia and eventually fell to the
Bulldogs in a 17-9 final. Coming into the game they had only turned the ball
over four times. Jeff Driskel could get nothing going against a relentless UGA
defense, completing 14-of-26 passes for 182 yards and two interceptions. He
was also sacked five times and finished with negative-four yards rushing. Mike
Gillislee was bottled up in the running game, gaining just 77 yards on 22
carries. The only source of points for Florida (7-1, 6-1 SEC) came from three
field goals by Caleb Sturgis (38, 22, 50). The lackluster offensive output
spoiled a great afternoon by the defense, which held the high-powered Georgia
offense to just 273 yards and it picked off Aaron Murray three times. UF will
try to get back on track this week when it plays host to Missouri.
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs were led by an outstanding defensive effort against
Florida to win, 17-9, and in the process they now control their own destiny in
the SEC Eastern Division. The defense forced six turnovers, which was more
than Florida had committed in its first seven games combined. Jarvis Jones
continued to prove that he's one of the top defensive players in the country,
recording 13 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. It was a slow day
for the UGA offense (273 yards), and Aaron Murray was picked off three times,
but he came up with a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Malcolm
Mitchell. The signal-caller finished 12-of-24 for 150 yards and score, while
Mitchell caught five passes for 74 yards. Todd Gurley was a workhorse on the
ground, piling up 118 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Georgia (7-1, 5-1
SEC) returns home for the first time in more than a month this Saturday to
take on Ole Miss.
KENTUCKY: The Wildcats remained winless in the SEC on Saturday afternoon when
they fell on the road to Missouri, 33-10, marking their seventh consecutive
loss. The Kentucky offense sputtered, compiling just 179 yards and only nine
first downs. Raymond Sanders rushed the ball 11 times for 64 yards, including
a one-yard scoring plunge in the first quarter, but that would be the team's
only touchdown on the day. Jalen Whitlow struggled under center, completing
half of his passes (9-of-18) for 76 yards, while Patrick Towles (1-of-4, four
yards) didn't fare much better. The silver lining for Kentucky (1-8, 0-6 SEC)
was the promising play of its defense, which allowed a season-low 273 yards to
the Tigers and created a season-best three turnovers. Freshman cornerback J.D.
Harmon was fantastic, intercepting two passes and making seven tackles. The
Wildcats will try to notch their first conference win of the season this
Saturday when they host Vanderbilt.
LSU: The Tigers (7-1, 5-0 SEC) enjoyed a bye this past week and they
undoubtedly used that extra time to prepare for this Saturday's marquee
matchup against No. 1 Alabama.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season at the
hands of top-ranked Alabama, 38-7. Their usually-potent offense, which had
scored 28 points or more in each of their first seven games, was stifled by
the Crimson Tide defense as the unit gained just 256 yards. Tyler Russell had
his worst game of the year, completing 15-of-30 passes for 169 yards with an
interception. The team's only touchdown came late in the fourth quarter when
backup quarterback Dak Prescott (4-of-6, 40 yards, TD) connected with Robert
Johnson on a two-yard score. LaDarius Perkins gained only 38 yards on 15
carries against the Alabama front. The defense, which came into the matchup
with 21 takeaways and ranked first in the nation in turnover margin (2.43),
lost the turnover battle, 3-0. Mississippi State (7-1, 3-1 SEC) will try to
get back on track this Saturday when it hosts Texas A&M.
MISSOURI: The Tigers came away with their first SEC win on Saturday afternoon,
as they downed Kentucky at home, 33-10. It was Missouri's first win since
Sept. 29, as it was able to take advantage of several UK turnovers, converting
all three of its fumble recoveries into touchdowns. Kendial Lawrence was a
busy man with 23 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns, his third 100-yard
rushing game of the season and the fifth of his career. Marcus Murphy (eight
carries, 43 yards) also scored a rushing touchdown. Corbin Berkstresser (10-
of-18, 71 yards, two INTs, two sacks) was under siege by the Kentucky defense
before he was relieved by James Franklin, who had been limited in recent weeks
with a knee injury. Franklin finished the game, completing 6-of-9 passes for
16 yards. The Mizzou defense also got into the scoring act in the fourth
quarter when E.J. Gaines picked up a fumble and returned it 13 yards for a
touchdown. Missouri (4-4, 1-4 SEC) is back to .500 but will have its work cut
out for it next week when it travels to Gainesville to play Florida.
OLE MISS: Behind a last-second 31-yard field goal from Bryson Rose, the Rebels
held off the Arkansas Razorbacks on the road, 30-27. It was their second
straight SEC win after losing their previous 16 against conference opponents.
It was a modest day for the offense (355 yards), but the unit managed to score
on all five of its trips to the red zone. Bo Wallace completed 29-of-37 passes
for 278 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while also rushing for 38
yards. Jeff Scott gained just 50 yards on 21 carries, but found the end zone
late in the second quarter, and Donte Moncrief (eight receptions, 60 yards)
and Randall Mackey (seven receptions, 99 yards) were both active in the
receiving game. Rose also connected on two other field goal attempts (27, 53),
which proved to be the difference in the game. The defense allowed 464 yards
but managed to pick off Tyler Wilson twice and sack him three times. Ole Miss
(5-3, 2-2 SEC) will have its hands full trying to make it three in a row next
week when it travels to Athens to take on Georgia.
SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks were able to hold off a late surge by Tennessee
to come away with a 38-35 home win, but it didn't come without a price.
Running back Marcus Lattimore was taken off on a cart after suffering
what appeared to be a horrendous knee injury, his second serious knee injury
in as many years. In Lattimore's absence, Connor Shaw shouldered the load
offensively, completing 22-of-32 passes for a career-high 356 yards and three
touchdowns, while rushing for another 33 yards and a score. Justice Cunningham
(six receptions, 108 yards) and Bruce Ellington (six receptions, 101 yards,
TD) each topped the century mark receiving, and Ace Sanders (five for 79
yards) and Rory Anderson (three for 58 yards) each caught a touchdown pass.
The Vols drove inside the red zone late in the game looking to tie or take the
lead, but Jadeveon Clowney logged a sack and forced a fumble from Tyler Bray,
and with 23 seconds left Victor Hampton picked off a Bray pass to seal the
win. South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC) is idle this week, next hitting the field
when it plays host to Arkansas on Nov. 10.
TENNESSEE: The Volunteers were down two touchdowns heading into the fourth
quarter against South Carolina and climbed to within just one possession of
tying or taking the lead, but the comeback bid fell short as they lost, 38-35.
With the ball inside the Gamecocks' 20-yard line with under two minutes to
play, Tyler Bray was sacked by Jadeveon Clowney and fumbled the ball away to
spoil the scoring threat and ultimately the chance at the upset. With the help
of a big fourth quarter, Bray went 27-of-43 for 368 yards and four touchdowns,
including 22-yard hookup with Zach Rogers midway through the fourth quarter to
get the score to within three points. Rogers had a career day, catching six
balls for 107 yards and three touchdowns, and Justin Hunter (eight receptions,
90 yards) put together his highest yardage output since Sept. 22 against
Akron. Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC) will now need to win three of its last four
games to become bowl eligible, and it all starts this week against Sun Belt
Conference foe Troy.
TEXAS A&M: The Aggies' offensive explosion this season continued in a 63-21
thrashing of Auburn over the weekend. Freshman sensation Johnny Manziel played
less than three quarters, but that didn't stop him from completing 16-of-23
passes for 260 yards, rushing for 90 yards, and tallying five total
touchdowns, giving him an incredible 27 scores through eight games. Trey
Williams rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown to pace a rushing attack that
piled up 352 yards. Christine Michael (75 yards, TD) and Ben Malena (63 yards,
TD) also got into the act. Ryan Swope was the club's leading receiver with six
catches for 140 yards and two scores, and even backup quarterback Jameill
Showers had a say as he completed all eight of his passes for 59 yards and a
touchdown. Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) is in for a much more difficult test this
Saturday when it travels to Starkville to take on a solid Mississippi State
squad.
VANDERBILT: The Commodores made easy work of FBS newcomer Massachusetts on
Saturday, winning the non-conference bout by a score of 49-7. Vandy got off to
a slow start, scoring just seven points in the opening quarter, but the team
exploded for six touchdowns in the second and third quarters to put the game
away. Zac Stacy had to leave early with an injury, but Brian Kimbrow (seven
carries, 98 yards, one TD) and Wesley Tate (15 carries, 81 yards, one TD)
helped pick up the slack. Jordan Rodgers had his best game of the season,
completing 17-of-21 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while also
rushing for 22 yards and a score. Jordan Matthews (10 receptions, 112 yards)
continued his fantastic season, and Chris Boyd (four receptions, 59 yards) and
Kris Kentera (one reception, 25 yards) caught Rodgers' touchdown passes. The
defense and special teams also got into the mix, with Trey Wilson returning an
interception 17 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter and Jonathan Krause
returning a punt 40 yards for a score in the fourth quarter. Vanderbilt (4-4)
returns to SEC action this Saturday against Kentucky.
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