Big names. Big game. Despite Week 12 featuring some matchups that might not have fitted that description, we were treated to an exciting week of action that produced outstanding individual performances from the top college football players.
Who were the best of the best from the past week? Introducing the CFN College Football Players of the Week.
Week 12 College Football Players of the Week
Quarterback of the Week: Bo Nix, Oregon
It’s Bo Nix’s world, and we’re just living in it.
The Oregon quarterback had already sealed the deal as one of the top college football players of the week before the Arizona State Sun Devils realized that the game had kicked off. You’ll struggle to find a more complete first half of football this season, as Nix etched his name on the Heisman Trophy with two weeks until final votes.
The Oregon quarterback established a dangerous connection with Patrick Herbert early on, hitting the Ducks’ tight end for 23 and 49-yard touchdowns within the first 10 minutes of the game.
WR Troy Franklin snagged another two touchdowns, Gary Bryant Jr’s after-the-catch prowess added a fifth, and Nix wrapped up a six-touchdown outing with a 16-yard score to his adopted brother Tez Johnson.
The six touchdown passes were a career-high for the former Auburn quarterback, whose career has seen a remarkable turnaround from SEC laughing stock to as close to a dead-cert for college football’s highest individual accolade. Completing 24 of his 29 passes for 404 yards, Nix was as clinical as he was explosive in an outstanding Week 12 performance.
Honorable mentions: Frank Harris, UTSA; Jayden Daniels, LSU; Andrew Peasley, Wyoming; Diego Pavia, New Mexico State; Kaidon Salter, Liberty; Chandler Rogers, North Texas
Offensive Player of the Week: Frank Harris, QB, UTSA
Frank Harris. The Alamodome. The combination of those two pillars of UTSA football have provided Roadrunners fans with a lifetime of memories and more excitement than one individual can handle. On Friday night, in their last embrace together, Harris and the Alamodome produced something that will live long in San Antonio folklore — the perfect thank you and goodnight.
Harris put his name into the UTSA record books with a school-record 523 total yards in the 49-21 win over USF. Flashing his arm talent and dual-threat dynamism, the Roadrunners quarterback became the only player in the FBS this season to throw for 400+ yards and rush for 100+ more. Meanwhile, he threw three TDs and rushed for another three in a dominant win.
Honorable mentions: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU; Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green; Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona; Jaheim White, RB, West Virginia; Ollie Gordon IV, RB, Oklahoma State; Kris Mitchell, WR, FIU; Malik Jackson, RB, Jacksonville State; Tyson Riley, FB, Army; Ricky White, WR, UNLV
Defensive Player of the Week: Jabbar Muhammed, DB, Washington
As the rain lashed down in Corvallis, the criticism of the Washington Huskies defense that has soured their College Football Playoff push washed away as they held firm to give Kalen DeBoer’s team an 11th victory of the season. At the heart of holding Oregon State in check was transfer defensive back Jabbar Muhammed, who produced a game-changing performance.
While the first of two interceptions could be described as fortuitous, the turnover plays proved pivotal in keeping Washington’s unbeaten run alive. Muhammed was in the right place, at the right time, on multiple plays, resulting in additional pass breakups — with a late-game break up stalling an Oklahoma State drive that could have changed the tide of the game.
Honorable mentions: Colin Ramos, LB, Navy; Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State; Dayon Hayes, DL, Pittsburgh; Brennan Jackson, DL, Washington State; Billy Bowman, DB, Oklahoma; Javon Solomon, DL, Troy; Melique Straker, LB, Arkansas State; Ben Kopenski, DL, Tulsa; Sidney Houston Jr., OLB, Ball State; Mike Sainristil, DB, Michigan
Special Teams Player of the Week: Harrison Mevis, K, Missouri
The legend of the “Thicca Kicker” will forever live on in Columbia, MO as Harrison Mevis once more proved that he’s the very best in the business. On senior day, Mevis proved to be the game-winner in an exceptional 33-31 win over the Florida Gators.
Mevis opened the scoring with a 22-yard field goal, nailed a 38-yarder and a 24-yarder, banged through all three extra point attempts before capping a 12-play, 62-yard drive with a 30-yard game-winning field goal. The Tigers kicker accounted for 15 of the team’s 33 points in their ninth win of the season.
Honorable mentions: Bert Auburn, K, Texas; Kekoura Tarnue, Jacksonville State; Caleb Downs, PR, Alabama; Ja’Quez Cross, KR, Arkansas State
Freshman Player of the Week: Anthony Colandrea, QB, Virginia
In the week that the University of Virginia honored those lost in the events of a year ago, the future of the program looks exceptionally bright in the hands of Anthony Colandrea. The true freshman quarterback has given Cavaliers fans a rollercoaster of highs and lows this season, but in the 30-27 win over Duke in Week 12 he finally arrived with a consummate performance.
Colandrea threw for 278 yards, completing 21 of 30 attempts while powering the win with three touchdown passes. Meanwhile, he led the team with 66 rushing yards. The talented young passer has routinely flashed his arm strength this year, but his tape from the Cavaliers’ third win of the year showcased his ability to deliver a perfectly placed pass consistently.
Honorable mentions: Caleb Downs, DB, Alabama; Kevin Concepcion, WR, NC State; Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL); Jaheim White, RB, West Virginia