With five games featuring FBS competition Wednesday through Friday, college football fans were treated to some big-time performances.
As you prepare for the glorious slate of games Saturday is set to bestow upon us, take a look at who already impressed in college football this week.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, linebacker, Appalachian State
Wednesday night’s Sun Belt showdown between Appalachian State and Louisiana was a defensive slugfest in which just 24 total points were scored. The Ragin’ Cajuns were stymied at every turn by the dominant defense of the Mountaineers, who were led by senior linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither.
Davis-Gaither was all over the field. He made 10 tackles to lead App State, including five solo and 2.5 for a loss. The standout linebacker, in his best game of the season, was also credited with half a sack as the Mountaineers stayed undefeated.
Trishton Jackson, wide receiver, Syracuse
The Orange lost in heartbreaking fashion Thursday night, but junior wide receiver Trishton Jackson did everything he could to help his team win.
A player who has been a strong producer all season, he caught a career-high nine passes for 106 yards, including a gorgeous 52-yard reception. Jackson also hauled in the only touchdown of the game for the Orange late in the fourth quarter.
It capped off a tremendous personal night that unfortunately wasn’t enough to help his team win.
Louis Acceus, linebacker, NC State
This diminutive linebacker was a veritable giant on Thursday night as his Wolfpack won by six points over Syracuse. Racking up a season-high 14 tackles, Louis Acceus was all over the field stopping playmakers in their tracks.
Even better, Acceus racked up three sacks. One stymied a potential scoring drive late in the second half, and his third of the night led to a promising Orange drive scoring just three points late in the third quarter.
Josh Johnson, running back, UL Monroe
On a night when his quarterback didn’t have his best stuff, Josh Johnson carried the Warhawks to victory over Texas State. Johnson carried the ball 22 times for 114 yards and two scores as UL Monroe pulled even at 3-3 on the season with a 24-14 victory over the Bobcats.
In the process, the junior running back eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground for the second game in a row, and the fourth time in six games this season.
Patrick O’Brien and Warren Jackson, Colorado State
We couldn’t single out just one of these two stars for what they did together Friday night as Colorado State took down New Mexico, 35-21.
This quarterback-receiver duo was absolutely electric. O’Brien passed for 420 yards and three touchdowns, and his main weapon was Jackson.
The 6-foot-6 junior receiver was unstoppable hauling in nine passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. These two were on fire all night long for the Rams, who improved to 2-5 on the season.