Photo by the Heisman Trust
Quinn Ewers upsets Alabama at their house for their first loss there since 2019. Ewers and Shedeur Sanders are the way too early favorites in the Heisman Watch.
Heisman Watch
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, Junior, Quarterback.
He had another great outing against Nebraska going 31 of 42 for 393 yards and three total touchdowns. Sanders is 69 of 89 for 903 yards and seven total touchdowns for the Buffaloes. With the chirping done by the coach of in-state rival Colorado State, the Sanders’ and the Buffs have another chance to make the game personal.
Quinn Ewers, Texas, Junior, Quarterback.
Ewers had the biggest game of our very young season. He was 24 of 38 for 349 yards and three touchdowns as he was the first quarterback to defeat Alabama at home since another Ohio State transfer did it in 2019. Another couple of impressive stats were that Ewers didn’t throw an interception and wasn’t sacked. He and Coach Sark have made a believer out of me. Ewers is 43 of 68 for 609 yards and seven total touchdowns. This week he and the Horns host a scrappy Wyoming that they can not take lightly as the vising Cowboys beat Texas’ instate rival Texas Tech to open the season.
Caleb Williams, USC, Junior, Quarterback.
Caleb Williams torched Stanford going 19 of 21 for 281 yards and four total touchdowns. On the year he is 55 of 70 for 878 yards and 13 total touchdowns as he chases Ohio State’s Archie Griffin in his efforts to win the Heisman twice. The Trojans have this weekend off.
Michael Penix, Washington, Senior, Quarterback.
He is putting up big numbers against solid programs. He shelled Tulsa going 28 of 38 for 409 yards and three touchdowns. On the season he is 57 of 78 for 859 yards and eight touchdowns. Penix has the chance to make the biggest statement in the chase for the Heisman this weekend as he returns to a road trip in the Big Ten. He’d faced Michigan State as a cross-state rival and now as a cross conference foe.
Jordan Travis, Florida State, Senior, Quarterback.
Travis didn’t do a lot against Southern Miss because he didn’t need to. The Seminoles still won easily, but Travis’ luster from his big game against LSU is something that won’t be forgotten quickly (if at all) this year. He is 38 of 60 for 517 yards and seven total touchdowns.
On the Radar
Travis Hunter, Colorado, Sophomore, Cornerback/Wide Receiver. The do-it-all man who never gets tired showed up for Colorado again. He didn’t have as many yards receiving or any eye-popping interceptions this time, but he was still great. He had three catches for 70 yards and four tackles, all of them solo. Again, he was an important receiver and an even more important defender like on of my favorites of all time, Chris Gamble. Hunter has 14 catches for 192 yards and seven tackles and an interception on defense for the Buffs this year.
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame, Senior, Quarterback. I’m not looking forward to my Buckeyes playing this guy in his stadium. In soggy conditions in Raleigh, North Carolina Hartman was 15 of 24 for 286 yards and four touchdowns. On the season he is 48 of 64 for 731 yards and 11 total touchdowns.
Players of the Week
Quinn Ewers, Texas, Junior, Quarterback.
Ewers performance over Alabama has already been mentioned but it’s worth repeating just because of how rare it is for an opposing quarterback to go to Tuscaloosa and do what he did. The last guy to do so was the quarterback for LSU. He’s a national champion Heisman winner, first overall NFL draft pick and AFC Champion. You may have heard of him. His name is Joe Burrow
Gage Larvadain, Miami (Ohio), Junior, Wide Receiver.
I gotta give some love to some MACtion. After long storm delays Gage Larvadain led the Redhawks to a win and with ridiculous numbers. He had eight catches for 273 yards and three touchdowns. This includes the 99-yard, record-setting touchdown above. Go Redhawks, Butler County’s best!
Games and Players to Watch on Saturday
Tennessee at Florida – This classic early season rivalry game will be an opportunity for both squads. Especially for Joe Milton and Tennessee. The Vols didn’t blow away Austin Peay as much as they hoped but you can bet they’ll be focused as they play their old adversary the Gators in the Swamp.
Washington at Michigan State – Despite the massive off field issues around this game, this is a matchup between two talented programs. The main focus will be on those issues until these talented players can get the attention back where it belongs. On the young men playing football. Michael Penix can make a big early Heisman statement as he revisits the Big Ten.
