It’s the best we saw in Week 11 of the college football season, highlighted by the CFN Week 11 Team of the Week. And what a weekend it was.
Week 11 College Football Team of the Week | First Team
It’s important to note that the CFN Week 11 College Football Team of the Week awards players based on their impact in their respective games and is not necessarily based on total statistical output.
The strength of competition is accounted for, as is the situation — both time of the game and score. These individual awards are also solely based on a player’s ability on the field and does not look into any future beyond college football.
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
It’s been clear from Day 1 of the Dillon Gabriel era in college that he had more talent than what he showcased against Oklahoma State and Kansas, and yet they lost both games by a combined eight points. Despite dropping two straight, the Sooners were unfazed in Week 11 and they were paced by their quarterback.
Gabriel could do no wrong and broke an Oklahoma record with eight total touchdowns. He threw for five touchdowns on 23-of-36 passing with 423 yards through the air. Gabriel added 50 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and completely dominated every facet over West Virginia in a blowout victory.
Running Back: Cody Schrader, Missouri
As good as some of the performances were on Saturday and all throughout Week 11, it’s hard to argue Cody Schrader going for over 300 yards of total offense against Tennessee. Shrader controlled the ball incredibly well, proving to be the bell cow for the Tigers in playing keep away from the high-octane Tennessee offense.
When it was all said and done, Schrader ran for 205 yards on 35 carries with a score. But he wasn’t done there. Schrader hauled in five receptions for 116 yards out of the backfield, giving him 40 touches for 321 total yards in a ridiculous showing of his all-around tough running ability.
Running Back: RJ Harvey, UCF
The weather couldn’t stop the UCF Knights from lift off on Saturday, blowing out the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their space-themed uniforms. RJ Harvey was a big reason why, and he simply couldn’t be stopped.
Racking up an impressive 206 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, Harvey utilized his full bag of tricks to run over or run around Oklahoma State. Evident on his 92-yard touchdown run, Harvey showcased great vision and an even better burst to go with his speed and athleticism in an all-out dominant game.
Wide Receiver: Reggie Brown, James Madison
Flashing elite-level potential, the connection between Jordan McCloud and Reggie Brown was on full display in Week 11. Brown hauled in nine catches for a whopping 202 yards and two scores, both of which were worthy of the highlight reel.
Brown couldn’t be contained no matter the coverage or defender in front of him as he consistently found himself behind the UConn defense with his blend of speed and sharp routes. This duo has become special and will now be featured on College GameDay in Week 11.
Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
It’s certainly easy to make the case for Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Heisman worthiness this season. After hauling in seven catches for 149 yards and two scores in what felt like only a half worth of actual work against Michigan State, Harrison Jr.’s candidacy took another positive turn.
He was sharp with his routes, better at the catch point, and his same dominant self when he was on the field. It was yet another dominant display for arguably the best player in college football.
Wide Receiver: Drake Stoops, Oklahoma
Let’s face it: Drake Stoops has officially broken out of the family name and made his own legacy at Oklahoma. The former walk-on receiver has forged his own path and his Week 11 path has put a stamp on his best season to date.
Stoops led the Sooners with 10 receptions, 164 yards, and three touchdowns in their blowout victory over West Virginia. Winning all over the field, his usage has gone up and Stoops has set all new career-highs in every receiving category this season.
Tight End: Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Back on Wednesday night, the Bowling Green offense ran through their tight end, Harold Fannin Jr. The gifted athlete hauled in four receptions for 92 yards and a score, but it was how Fannin continually won against Kent State that stood out.
In each game, the Falcons try to find creative ways to get their tight end the ball and Week 11 was no different. He found green grass with his legs after the catch on screens and used his separation skills to create some terrific catches all over the field.
Flex: Jayden Daniels, LSU
The only thing keeping Jayden Daniels from the QB of the Week spot here is the fact that Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel scored eight total touchdowns. Needing every yard of Daniels’ incredible performance, the LSU Tigers knocked off rival Florida 52-35.
Daniels threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns while he and ran for a whopping 234 yards and two scores on the ground. He went full-on Superman and has continued his growth as a do-whatever-his-team-needs quarterback with all the tools.
At times, it felt like Daniels was looking around for more Gators to make miss on the ground. It was as dynamic a performance as they come.
Tackle: LaDarius Henderson, Michigan
When they needed to, the Michigan Wolverines took to the ground and relied upon their strongest asset in Week 11: their offensive line. Led by LaDarius Henderson, the Wolverines simply took the air out of the game against Penn State.
Without a countable pass attempt in the entire second half, Michigan utilized a true ground-and-pound attack to run over the Nittany Lions on Saturday. Henderson was seen multiple times at the second level or further downfield, carving up massive lanes for his running backs.
Guard: Trevor Keegan, Michigan
Just like Henderson above, Trevor Keegan was also seen second-level hunting or sealing lanes for his rushing attack. Keegan was integral in Michigan’s rushing success that saw them average over five yards per carry, and most of those were before contact.
Center: Connor Tollison, Missouri
Absolutely dominant at the point of attack, the Missouri Tigers manhandled Tennessee on Saturday in a marquee matchup. The Tigers utilized a commanding ground game and clean pockets to dominate the Vols, and Connor Tollison was integral.
Calling the shots from the middle of the line, Tollison was dominant on the ground and in pass protection. Helping pave the way for over 255 yards on the ground and multiple clean pockets, it was a masterclass in the middle of the line for Tollison.
Guard: Raymond Pulido, Arizona
Starting just the second game of his career, Raymond Pulido looked every bit the part of a dominant guard for years to come against Colorado. The big man for Arizona helped pave the way for an impressive display of run and pass plays for the Wildcats.
Pulido was terrific on the ground, controlling the point of attack against the Buffaloes. He also performed well in pass protection, but his highlights mainly came on the ground, including paving a huge lane for the game-tying score late in the fourth.
Tackle: Javon Foster, Missouri
Another spot on the Team of the Week for Javon Foster as the Missouri tackle has had a remarkable season in 2023. Helping pave the way for a nearly perfect offensive performance for Missouri, Foster flashed what makes him such a special player.
He was terrific in pass protection, and Foster was routinely seen downfield hunting for work when the run plays broke out to the second level. Foster moved well across the formation and at the point of attack.
Defensive Line: Jalen McLeod, Auburn
What a performance it was off the edge for Jalen McLeod for Auburn. Standing tall outside for the Tigers, McLeod used his speed to get home with a whopping three sacks in Week 11.
The Arkansas offensive line had no match for McLeod’s speed in getting to the quarterback and his surprising strength overmatched KJ Jefferson. McLeod notched nine total tackles and an additional tackle for loss in run defense, as he was truly everywhere for Auburn on Saturday.
Defensive Line: Richard Jibunor, Troy
Playing off the edge with reckless abandon, Richard Jibunor was part of perhaps one of the finest pass-rushing performances we’ve seen in 2023. Jibunor was second on his team with 3.5 sacks and tied for the lead with four tackles for loss as he could do no wrong.
Jibunor flexed his pass-rush muscle with a handful of different moves and beat any offensive lineman in front of him. He also led the way with four solo tackles and was second with eight total tackles as Jibunor couldn’t be stopped against UL-Monroe.
Defensive Line: Javon Solomon, Troy
Leading the way with four sacks against ULM, Javon Solomon was completely unstoppable on Saturday. Solomon used his speed and strength incredibly well and found success no matter where he lined up along the defensive front.
Against the WarHawks — who have an underrated offensive line — Solomon was at his best. He whipped through offensive tackles and pushed through against even stronger interior linemen. It was a masterclass of pass-rushing from the whole team.
Defensive Line: Seni Tuiaki, Utah State
It was a big-man touchdown that all but wrote off Nevada in Week 11 for Utah State and Seni Tuiaki was that big man. Tuiaki jumped in front of a screen pass that had gone awry from the Wolf Pack and rumbled 63 yards for the touchdown that gave Utah State a two-possession lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Elsewhere, Tuiaki recorded five solo tackles and consistently pushed the pocket in the passing game as well.
Linebacker: Kalen DeLoach, Florida State
With two sacks and a handful of splash plays, Kalen DeLoach gave the Florida State defense the spark it needed on multiple occasions. Without a few of those splash plays, it could have been said that Miami may have continued to take most of the momentum of this rivalry game, but DeLoach saw to that.
DeLoach was also integral in FSU’s success, with at least one touchdown-saving tackle on the afternoon. He led the team with 10 total tackles in the process. Considering he was doing all of this flying around from his linebacker spot, it is all the more impressive.
Linebacker: Andrew Chatfield Jr., Oregon State
You’d be hard-pressed to find another linebacker with the overall impact toward his team’s success than Andrew Chatfield Jr. in Week 11. Recording two impressive sacks and what felt like pressure any time he blitzed, Chatfield was seemingly in on each takeaway for the Beavers’ defense.
He even ripped off an interception of his own and flew around the field with precision and speed all night long.
Linebacker: Desmond Purnell, Kansas State
Scooping and scoring while leading the Kansas State defense in tackles, Desmond Purnell had himself quite the afternoon against Baylor. Flashing his three-down abilities, Purnell started the rout of the Bears by grabbing a ball off the turf for a 15-yard fumble return for a touchdown that pushed the lead to 21-7 in the first quarter.
Purnell finished with five total tackles, four of which were solo stops, and he flew all over the field in each facet.
Cornerback: Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Vaulting into the conversation as one of the nation’s top defensive backs, Terrion Arnold put forth yet another dominant outing in Week 11. The Alabama cornerback broke on a late throw to the outside against Kentucky for a pick, giving him a highlight reel play, but it was his overall shutdown cornerback abilities that put him on the Team of the Week here.
He was dominant in coverage and flashed in run defense. Overall, Arnold has put himself into the early portion of the 2024 NFL Draft with ease.
Cornerback: Tarheeb Still/Dante Trader Jr, Maryland
Absolutely dominant on the outside for the Maryland Terrapins, Tarheeb Still and Dante Trader put forth a display on Saturday against Nebraska. The defensive back duo picked off a total of four passes, two a piece, and locked down all game long.
With Trader and Still locking down in coverage, the Terps allowed just 86 total passing yards and notched interceptions off three different Nebraska quarterbacks. Still led the team with seven total tackles to boot.
Cornerback: Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech
Getting back on track, Dorian Strong paced an all-around performance from Virginia Tech in Week 11. The Hokies dominated Boston College from the jump, and it was Strong’s two interceptions that proved incredibly important.
Strong came away with two picks, setting up short fields in the process for his offense, and locked down in coverage all game long. He didn’t record a single tackle because he didn’t allow a single reception, it felt like.
Defensive Back: Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
Playing all over the backend of the defense for Oregon State, Kitan Oladapo continued his ridiculous 2023 season in dominant style in Week 11. Oladapo recorded two interceptions in coverage, flashing his ability to cover the field and cover a lot of it in the process.
It didn’t matter where Oladapo lined up; he locked down in coverage. Oladapo also flashed in his ability to come downhill against the run and helped Oregon State limit Stanford on offense all game long.
Defensive Back: Demari Henderson, UCF
Get to know the name Demari Henderson. The Big 12 is on notice and the rest of the nation should follow suit. Locking down in torrid conditions for UCF in Week 11, Henderson made his official statement game against Oklahoma State.
Sure, the weather impacted Oklahoma State’s offense on Saturday, but Henderson impacted it perhaps even more. By nabbing two interceptions — the first two of his career — Henderson officially made his mark and showcased his sticky coverage skills for the Knights’ defense.
Defensive Back: Michael Dansby, San Jose State
We usually don’t have a sixth defensive back on our Teams of the Week, but here we are, because of Michael Dansby. The San Jose State cornerback was incredibly impressive, as was the entire Spartans secondary against Fresno State, dominating with sticky coverage all night.
Dansby patiently waited for his big play to come in the second half, with Fresno State threatening to close the gap to just a two-possession lead. He stuck with his receiver nabbed a scramble drill interception at the goal line, and returned it 98 yards for a house call that pushed the SJSU lead to 25 points just before the fourth quarter.
Flex: Daylan Carnell, Missouri
It’s time to add some more national respect to Daylan Carnell’s name. The Missouri secondary locked down in coverage, keeping everything in front of them against the speedy Tennessee offense. But when it was time for a big play, Carnell came up huge.
With a couple of forced incompletions, it was Carnell’s biggest play that ultimately sealed it for Missouri. Breaking on an ill-fated throw from Joe Milton with speed and precision, Carnell nabbed an interception with no defender in sight on his route to a 38-yard pick-six. He finished with three tackles and his pick-six for a solid defensive performance.
Kicker: Andrew Conrad, ECU
Scoring 16 of his team’s 22 points, Andrew Conrad single-handedly won the game for the East Carolina Pirates. Or should we say, single-footedly won the game.
Conrad kicked home five field goals and an extra point, scoring the difference in a 22-7 victory over FAU. His field goals went for 40, 43, 46, 46, and 47, as he was automatic and put forth one of the best performances we’ve seen from a college kicker this season.
Punter: Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
With a ridiculous display of punting and pinning the opponent inside the 20, Alex Mastromanno gave a masterful performance on Saturday. The Florida State punter knocked home five punts inside the Miami 20-yard line.
His coffin corner dribbler late in the second half all but helped seal the deal as it forced Miami the length of the field for a potential game-tying drive. Overall, Mastromanno booted it seven times for 343 yards, averaging 49 yards per punt.
Kick Returner: Shedro Louis, Tulane
Needing a spark, the Tulane Green Wave got it at the start of the second half by their kick returner Shedro Louis. Taking the opening kick of the third quarter, Louis fielded it at the goal line, and you could see him visibly find the lanes with his eyes and subtle body movement.
In the end, Louis bobbed and weaved through the Tulsa coverage unit and used his dominant speed to outrun the coverage on the outside for a 100-yard kick return touchdown. He had three other returns for 59 yards on the day as well.
Punt Returner: Keionte Scott, Auburn
When things are going right for your team in a blowout, it’s likely that your special teams are a part of what’s working. For Auburn on Saturday, Keionte Scott got into the end zone via a 74-yard punt return as they truly fired on all cylinders against Arkansas.
Despite it being on just the second possession of the game, Scott’s 74-yard electric punt touchdown all but put the game away and started the rout.
Week 11 College Football Team of the Week | Second Team
Offense
- QB: Bo Nix, Oregon | John Paddock, Illinois
- RB: Damien Martinez, Oregon State
- RB: Blake Corum, Michigan
- WR: Isaiah Williams, Illinois
- WR: Donaven McCulley, Indiana
- WR: Tez Johnson, Oregon
- TE: Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
- FLEX: Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- OT: Armand Membou, Missouri
- G: Justin Osborne, SMU
- C: Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
- G: Amani Trigg-Wright, UNLV
- OT: Marcus Bryant, SMU
Defense
- EDGE: Savion Jackson, NC State
- DL: Tony Bradford Jr., Texas Tech
- DL: Bryce Dixon, Liberty
- EDGE: Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
- LB: Cade Uluave, Cal
- LB: Kavian Gaither, Sam Houston
- LB: Leo Lowin, Army
- DB: Jarrian Jones, Florida State
- DB: Rayuan Lane III, Navy
- DB: Dadrian Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
- DB: Keenan Garber, Kansas State
- DB: Aamaris Brown, USF
- FLEX: Mehki Miller, New Mexico State
Special Teams
- K: Noah Burnette, North Carolina
- P: Mark Vassett, Colorado
- KR: Zylan Perry, Louisiana
- PR: Chris Carpenter, UTSA
Week 11 College Football Team of the Week | Third Team
Offense
- QB: Jordan McCloud, James Madison
- RB: Hahsaun Wilson, Charlotte
- RB: Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss
- WR: Malik Washington, Virginia
- WR: Kobe Hudson, UCF
- WR: Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
- TE: Brock Bowers, Georgia
- FLEX: Kaidon Salter, Liberty
- OT: Troy Fautanu, Washington
- G: J.J. Lippe, Northern Illinois
- C: Josh Baker, Arizona
- G: Cam’Ron Johnson, Missouri
- OT: Barrett Miller, Cal
Defense
- EDGE: Ty Wise, Miami (OH)
- DL: Jamree Kromah, James Madison
- DL: Zaylin Wood, Middle Tennessee
- EDGE: Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
- LB: Francisco Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
- LB: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
- LB: Aiden Fisher, James Madison
- DB: Jayden Bellamy, Syracuse
- DB: Caleb Downs, Alabama
- DB: Deshawn Pace, Cincinnati
- DB: Cameron Oliver, UNLV
- DB: Henry Blackburn, Colorado State
- FLEX: David Reese, Cal
Special Teams
- K: Harrison Mevis, Missouri
- P: Ryan Hanson, James Madison
- KR: Zavion Thomas, Mississippi State
- PR: Keon Coleman, Florida State
Week 11 College Football Team of the Week | Honorable Mention
Offense
- QB: Dequan Finn, Toledo
- RB: Rasheen Ali, Marshall
- RB: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
- WR: Prince Strachan, Boise State
- WR: CJ Daniels, Liberty
- WR: Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
- TE: Dallin Holker, Colorado State
- FLEX: Corey Kiner, Cincinnati
- OT: Roger Rosengarten, Washington
- G: Jake Burns, Bowling Green
- C: Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
- G: Xavier Delgado, Missouri
- OT: Jack Sherwin, Western Michigan
Defense
- DL: Bradley Weaver, Ohio
- DL: Will Whitson, Coastal Carolina
- DL: Marcus Harris, Auburn
- DL: Nate Martey, Arkansas State
- LB: Jacob Manu, Arizona
- LB: Keye Thompson, Ohio
- LB: Matt Salopek, Miami (OH)
- DB: Shelton Lewis, Clemson
- DB: Brent Austin, James Madison
- DB: Deshawn Jones Jr., Bowling Green
- DB: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
- DB: Devin Neal, Louisville
- FLEX: Jackson Woodard, UNLV
Special Teams
- K: Chase Meyer, Tulsa
- P: Will Karoll, Tulane
- KR: Sutton Smith, Memphis
- PR: Josh Cameron, Baylor