Trinidad Chambliss has a potential Heisman game for Ole Miss (Photo by Ole Miss Athletics)
Trinidad Chambliss has a Heisman moment against LSU!
Bear Bachmeier, BYU, Quarterback, Sophomore
LJ Martin, BYU, Running Back, Senior
Bachmeier and Martin played well against Colorado State, especially LJ Martin. Bachmeier had 227 passing yards, and Martin went off. He had 173 yards and three touchdowns in the first half before getting one carry in the second half, and his day was done early. Bachmeier is 44 of 62 for 642 yards with six touchdowns passing this season, and 64 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Martin has 42 carries for 328 yards with three touchdowns, and 41 receiving yards. So far (and I think this will be the case all season long), BYU has conserved their stars. This probably, more than anything else, will keep the Cougars’ stars from being Heisman finalists.
Devon Dampier, Utah, Quarterback, Senior
Dampier and the Utes kept up their winning ways, this time with an in-state rival in Utah State. Utah demolished USU, behind a big day from Dampier. Devon Dampier was 22 of 32 for 253 yards with two touchdowns passing and 34 rushing yards in the win. This season, he is 53 of 74 for 690 yards and seven touchdowns, with 114 yards and two touchdowns rushing. This week, Dampier and Utah will have to go on the road to get a Big 12 win at Iowa State.
Lincoln Kienholz, Louisville, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior
LK and UL had a tough task, opening ACC play with SMU coming to Louisville. Kevin Jennings has had a good start to the season and might have even been favored in this game. It was back and forth, but Kienholz powered his team to victory. The Ohio State transfer was 14 of 23 for 177 yards with two touchdowns, and had 12 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown rushing. Kienholz is 48 of 73 for 816 yards with six touchdowns passing, and has 32 carries for 153 yards with four touchdowns rushing. Next, the Cards have to deal with Wake Forest, who just battled Miami harder than most people thought they could.
Darian Mensah, Miami, Quarterback, Junior
Malachi Toney, Miami, Wide Receiver, Sophomore
The Hurricanes beat a Wake Forest team that was up to the challenge of playing an elite team like Miami. They couldn’t stop Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney, though. Mensah was 30 of 34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns passing. Toney had 12 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Miami has one last easy game this Saturday against Central Michigan. This year, Mensah is 71 of 79 for 873 yards and 11 touchdowns. Toney has 28 catches for 444 yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Josh Hoover, Indiana, Quarterback, Senior
Charlie Becker, Indiana, Wide Receiver, Junior
It’s nice when you’re getting flak for beating a team ‘only’ by 38. Indiana is still an elite team. Josh Hoover and Charlie Becker are still tearing up defense for the Hoosiers. Hoover was 18 of 24 for 273 yards and two touchdowns passing. Becker had five catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. Hoover and Becker will host an improved Northwestern team this Saturday.
This season, Josh Hoover is 37 of 51 for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns passing, and Charlie Becker has 12 catches for 272 yards and six touchdowns receiving. Every other pass he catches is for a touchdown.
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State, Quarterback, Sophomore
The Cowboys super sophomore has rebounded big time from his Week 1 troubles against Tulsa. He led the upset of Oregon and then led his team to crush an FCS team. Against Mercer, Mestemaker was 20 of 22 for 324 yards with five passing touchdowns. Mestemaker has 882 yards with eight passing touchdowns, and 106 yards and a touchdown rushing. Now OSU has gotta go on the road for a potential Big 12 shootout against West Virginia.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss, Quarterback, Senior
He wasn’t perfect, but Chambliss got the job done for Ole Miss. If you had offered Ole Miss the choice between winning this game and beating Miami in the College Football Playoff last year, they may have been content with the semifinal loss. Chambliss battled for his team in both games and got the win in this one. He has two good wins for his Heisman candidacy early in this season. Chambliss was 33 of 48 for 363 yards and had three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in the victory against Kiffin and LSU. This season, he has 77 of 110 for 924 yards with seven touchdowns passing, and has 64 yards and 2 touchdowns rushing.
Michael Hawkins Jr., West Virginia, Quarterback, Sophomore
Michael Hawkins Jr. did his best Pat White impression in West Virginia’s 38-27 win over Virginia in Charlotte on Saturday. Hawkins was 10 of 17 for 190 yards with two touchdowns passing, and 18 carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns rushing. West Virginia plays Oklahoma State this week in Morgantown. Both of these teams have gotten good starts to their seasons in their efforts to restore their former glory. This season, Hawkins is 26 of 38 for 477 yards with five touchdowns passing, and has 44 carries for 322 yards and six touchdowns rushing.
Wayne Knight, UCLA, Running Back, Senior
Knight has been just as impressive in this young season as LJ Martin and Jadan Baugh. I’m a believer in Bob Chesney and what he’s doing at UCLA, but I thought the Bruins would be 2-1 at best right now. Thanks to the rushing of Knight, they’re 3-0. Knight had 18 carries for 177 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue on Saturday. Now the Bruins will have to travel to the East Coast to try to win at Maryland. Having a running back with over 400 yards of offense and eight touchdowns will do that. Knight has 39 carries for 345 yards with eight touchdowns rushing and 53 yards receiving.
Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State, Quarterback, Sophomore
The Mississippi native has been beyond good for MSU this season. Taylor has just won back-to-back big road games for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs beat Minnesota up north and then beat South Carolina in Columbia. Taylor was fantastic against South Carolina. He was 18 of 26 for 256 yards with four passing touchdowns and had 33 rushing yards on the ground. The Bulldogs host Missouri this week. It’s a tough but winnable game for a player who reminds me of Heisman winner Robert Griffin III. Taylor is 56 of 82 for 832 yards with 11 passing touchdowns, and has 178 yards and a touchdown rushing.
Jadan Baugh, Florida, Running Back, Junior
Baugh has been a bowling ball for Florida and their 3-0 start. He was very big for them in their win at Auburn on Saturday night. Baugh had 26 carries for 162 yards and three touchdowns in the Gators 44-39 win over the Tigers. Florida’s 1,000-yard back from 2025 is already almost halfway to repeating that mark after only three games. Baugh has 54 carries for 458 yards and eight touchdowns already this season. No rest for the winners, though. Baugh will spearhead Florida’s attack when they welcome Ole Miss to the Swamp this Saturday.
