College football fans will remember some special moments from Week 7 of the 2019 season for years to come. It’s a weekend that provided thrilling ranked matchups, some incredible finishes and plenty of jaw-dropping performances.
The monster outings all started on Friday night in Albuquerque with Colorado State and New Mexico engaging in a display of two explosive offenses. The big numbers rolled into Saturday’s outstanding action with stat lines that equaled the marquee matchups.
It started early with the Red River Showdown providing two eye-popping performances in a thrilling clash. Of course, the performances only got better from there with a flurry of historic achievements and stunning stat lines.
Now with this week’s unbelievable action in the books, let’s take a look at Week 7’s most incredible performances in college football.
Warren Jackson, wide receiver, Colorado State Rams
Coming off four consecutive losses, two without Jackson, Colorado State was elated to get its top receiver back this week. He showed why with a sensational game against New Mexico’s secondary that showcased his dominance on 50-50 balls.
Jackson used his 6-foot-6 frame to his advantage hauling in the football and taking it 87 yards to the house. No. 9 represented his number well by hauling in nine receptions for an astonishing 214 yards and two touchdowns. He’s now well on his way to recording his first 1,000-yard season if he stays healthy.
Bryson Carroll, running back, New Mexico Lobos
When Jackson rested on the sideline and the Lobos’ offense took the field, Carroll did everything in his power to keep them in the game. Whereas Jackson used his height to frustrate the defense, New Mexico’s 5-foot-7 running back used his speed.
Carroll got a big opportunity on Friday with fellow running back Ahmari Davis hurt. The sophomore took advantage with an electrifying 193 rushing yards and one touchdown on 26 carries. Of course, Carroll’s night would have been even better if he didn’t pull a DeSean Jackson and drop the football at the one-yard line. Hopefully, he learned from the mistake and will get more opportunities to make plays in the future.
Louis Acceus, outside linebacker, NC State Wolfpack
Acceus showed some flashes early this season as a playmaker, but it all came together for a game-changing performance on Thursday night. NC State’s junior linebacker led his team to shut down Syracuse’s offense in a 16-10 win.
This defensive masterpiece goes beyond his 10 solo tackles. He showcased his nose for the football and the ability to get revenge. Acceus sacked quarterback Tommy DeVito, who his high school team lost the championship to in high school, three times. Seemingly every time Syracuse found itself in striking distance of the go-ahead score, Acceus made the big play to stop it and seal the win.
Israel Mukuamu, cornerback, South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina went to Sanford Stadium with everyone expecting it to get blown out. When Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm made a costly mistake, Mukuamu took it to the house and put the whole country on notice. It wouldn’t be his last big play either.
Georgia’s offense made a comeback push midway through the fourth quarter. Fromm tried to make a play on third down only to see South Carolina’s sophomore sensation make an even better one for his second interception. Even better, the Gamecocks pulled off the biggest upset of the year.
CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver, Oklahoma Sooners
There were times on Saturday when the Texas Longhorns defense made some big plays and limited Jalen Hurts, which is an incredible accomplishment. The Longhorns could never find an effective method to stop Lamb.
Lamb came through on fourth down with a short, easy touchdown to open the game’s scoring. He then scorched the Longhorns’ secondary for a 51-yard touchdown to get the offensive fireworks started. Lamb capped off his monster 171-yard, three-touchdown performance by shaking off two tackles for his third score. He earned the Wikipedia treatment ownage over Texas.
Jalen Hurts, quarterback, Oklahoma Sooners
It wasn’t always pretty for Hurts. There’s no excusing his horrendous red-zone interception, and he also lost a fumble in the red zone. Then once you start to question Hurts’ play, he pulls off a Houdini act for a big play.
Oklahoma’s star quarterback dominated Texas on the ground. He racked up 131 rushing yards, highlighted by an ankle-breaking run, and ran in the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter. Hurts also racked up 235 passing yards and three additional scores to put a bow on his outstanding debut in the Red River Showdown.
Ja’von Hicks, safety, Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati was excited before the 2019 season to see the emergence of Hicks in its secondary. He showed glimpses of greatness with turnovers against UCLA and Ohio State, but then grew quiet recently. Hicks came alive on Saturday against Houston.
He started things off with a diving interception inside the 40-yard line to help set up a touchdown. Hicks reminded Houston’s offense of his presence two drives later with his second pick of the day. The sophomore then came through again with a fumble recovery to set up another score. Cincinnati is rolling in 2019 and Hicks deserves plenty of the credit.
Alex Ramsey, running back, VMI Keydets
It’s a special game when an athlete from the military academy makes the list, just as it is for an FCS player. While very few might have heard of the Virginia Military Institute before Saturday, Ramsey put the Keydets on the map in Week 7.
The junior running back came in with nine rushing touchdowns and 857 scrimmage yards in six games. He came pretty close to matching some of those numbers against Samford. Ramsey rushed for 163 yards, with an additional 27 receiving yards, and an unthinkable six touchdowns. Now sitting on 1,047 total yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on the year, it’s clear Ramsey will make some more history in 2019.
Brandon Aiyuk, wide receiver, Arizona State Sun Devils
Washington State head coach Mike Leach said the change at defensive coordinator would elevate the players and coaching staff. He might have to find a new strategy after Aiyuk burned the Cougars’ secondary for one big play after another.
Aiyuk kicked things off in the second quarter with an easy 40-yard touchdown. Washington State didn’t learn its lesson about his dangerous speed as he scorched them on a slant for an 86-yard touchdown. Aiyuk tacked on his third score of the day on a 33-yard sprint on another slant. He came up big as Jayden Daniels’ go-to receiver on the game-winning drive to finish with 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Malcolm Perry, quarterback, Navy Midshipmen
Opposing defenses have routinely struggled to stop Navy’s triple-option offense for years. Now with Malcolm Perry behind center and executing everything to perfection, even containing it becomes nearly impossible.
Tulsa knew what to expect when it took the field against Perry and it still didn’t matter. He sliced through its defense on every play and made 20-plus yard runs the standard of the day. Perry finished with 218 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Midshipmen cruised to a 4-1 record.
Sage Surratt, wide receiver, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest found itself in a shootout on Saturday night and Surratt played a starring role. The sophomore sensation, who came in with two 150-plus yard games, delivered the best act of his collegiate career in Week 7.
Surratt routinely found holes in Louisville’s secondary. On a night when his longest play went for 47 yards, the 6-foot-3 receiver hauled in 12 receptions for 196 receiving yards and three scores. While Wake Forest fell short in a 62-59 thriller, Surratt’s breakout season keeps rolling. He now sits on 711 receiving yards and nine touchdowns with a tasty matchup against Florida State looming.
Joe Burrow, quarterback, LSU Tigers
Every Heisman Trophy winner has that game where it becomes apparent that they are the best player in the sport. LSU’s matchup against the No. 7 Florida Gators was the perfect test for Burrow to have that moment and he delivered.
Florida’s defense entered allowing the sixth-fewest points per game (9.5) and only 183.3 passing yards per contest. Burrow demonstrated the difference between great college players and NFL talent. He completed 21-of-24 passes for 293 yards, three touchdowns and 43 rushing yards. Burrow made all the big throws and diagnosed Florida’s defense with ease then picked it apart. Given this game’s magnitude and the caliber of opponent, it’s one of the best performances we’ll see all year.