Top SEC performers from Week 10
Defense dominated in Baton Rouge while the rest of the SEC put up a bunch of rushing yards. Who showed out in Week 10?
Filled-in Tiger Stadium during the 2012 matchup between Alabama and LSU in Baton Rouge. Photo obtained via creativecommons.org, no changes made.
Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State QB
Nick Fitzgerald was easily the SEC offensive player of the week with his performance in the Bulldogs’ upset against a stout Texas A&M team. Despite throwing for 209 yards and two touchdowns, his passing wasn’t what made his day so special. It was Fitzgerald’s ability to run the ball that led the Bulldogs — he put together 182 yards and two touchdowns on the ground on just 20 carries. This performance should provide a nice jolt of excitement for the Mississippi State fan base.
Alabama’s Front Seven
Since the firing of head coach Les Miles, LSU’s offense has been running wild. The Tigers averaged more than 300 rushing yards a game in the three games before ‘Bama rolled into town. The Crimson Tide shut down any chance LSU had of reaching that marker on Saturday, holding the Tigers to 33 yards rushing on 27 carries. Alabama also bottled up one of the top backs in the nation, Leonard Fournette, allowing him just 35 yards on 17 rushes for the night.
Rawleigh Williams III, Arkansas RB
Arkansas needed to respond in a big way following an embarrassing 56-3 loss to Auburn the week before. Florida and its vaunted defense came into Fayetteville looking to put the SEC East on lockdown with a win. Rawleigh Williams III, however, took on the challenge of going against one of the SEC’s top defenses. Williams continuously broke tackles en route to 148 rushing yards and two scores on 26 attempts. He also added 22 yards on two receptions, as well.
Rico Dowdle, South Carolina RB
Rico Dowdle has some nifty moves when running the ball in open space. Dowdle made defenders miss all afternoon during the Gamecocks’ 31-21 win over Missouri. With the game tied at 21, Dowdle busted through the middle of the defense and spun around a linebacker, making the defender fall, then accelerated to the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. And that was just 20 yards of his eventual 149 on the day. Dowdle also had three receptions for 22 yards and another touchdown.
Edited by Nathan Odom
Featured image by Getawaypaul27
