What a terrific slate of action the Week 6 college football games were. Starting on Wednesday and culminating on Sunday morning on the East Coast, each game had its moments, and each position had its shining stars. The Week 6 college football team of the week highlights those top players.
The best college football had to offer from College Football Week 6 is here in our Team of the Week.
Week 6 College Football Team of the Week | First Team
It’s important to note that the CFN Week 6 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
Dillon Gabriel finished with 285 yards passing, 113 yards rushing, two total touchdowns, and one Heisman moment. Gabriel brought the Sooners back from down three points with just over 1:00 minute left on the clock and did so in dramatic fashion.
He gave the Sooners exactly what they needed when needed, and had his Heisman Trophy moment in the meantime. He’s now 20th on the all-time career passing yard list and has done more to earn those yards than most above him.
Running Back: Antario Brown, Northern Illinois
In a true-to-life video-game-like performance, Antario Brown couldn’t be stopped against Akron. When all was said and done, Brown finished the day with 13 carries for 280 yards and four touchdowns.
Brown had touchdown runs of 46, 50, 58, and 66 yards and did a ton of his damage independent of his blocking, though some of the rushing lanes he had were massive. He was slippery at the first level and too fast once he got into the open field.
It was a dominant performance for Brown, who nearly eclipsed his season total of 336 in one game.
Running Back: Trey Benson, Florida State
All Trey Benson needed was 11 carries on Saturday afternoon to reach 200 yards on the ground. His 85-yard touchdown silenced the Virginia Tech defense and livened up the crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium to new heights.
After Benson’s long TD, the Hokies fell flat as he single-handedly sparked the FSU offense after a lackluster second quarter. Benson finished with 215 total yards of offense and two scores in a dominant and refreshing outing.
Wide Receiver: Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
A man among boys, there is arguably no better receiver after the catch than Malachi Corley. It’s apparent now that Corley is back to full health and ready to carry the Hipptoppers through their Conference USA schedule.
Corley bounced off contact at will and consistently played at a higher level than anyone on the field back on Thursday night. He finished the night with eight catches for 207 yards and three touchdowns, with over 150 yards after the catch.
Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The best receiver in college football put forth a vintage performance on Saturday, as Marvin Harrison Jr. sparked an Ohio State rally over Maryland. Harrison Jr. flashed his entire bag of tools in an eight-catch, 163-yard, one-touchdown performance.
Yet, it could’ve been more for Harrison. He was wide open multiple times but underthrown or late passes mitigated the impact he left on this game. Still, Harrison Jr. was the best player on the field and reminded the Big Ten that he’s the top playmaker for a reason.
Wide Receiver: Terrel Vaughn/Jalen Royals/Micah Davis, Utah State
Never have you seen such a box score as the performance we saw from Utah State’s receiving corps. Terrel Vaughn, Jalen Royals, and Micah Davis caught 19 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns between the three of them.
What makes that unique is that was indeed every single pass that was thrown as the trio made every play on the end of Cooper Legas’ 19 completions for 387 yards and four touchdowns. Vaughn led them with 8-143-1 while Royals caught multiple touchdowns in a 6-140-2 statistical showing.
Tight End: Brock Bowers, Georgia
For the second week in a row, the Georgia Bulldogs offense ran through Brock Bowers. As such, Bowers’ influence opened up multiple other clear throwing lanes and easy passes for Georgia QB Carson Beck to exploit.
When he was targeted, however, Bowers was incredibly efficient. He recorded seven catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, a modest day for an incredible athlete.
Flex: Kimani Vidal, Troy
It feels like we’re here every week, writing up another dominant Kimani Vidal performance, but such is life. Vidal pounded his way through the Arkansas State defense all night long before finally breaking through with his 69-yard touchdown run to ice the performance.
Vidal was crucial in Troy’s complete dominance over the Red Wolves as he finished the day with 28 carries for 245 yards and three scores on the ground.
Offensive Tackle: Darius Washington, Florida State
Playing all over the Florida State offensive line against Virginia Tech, Darius Washington’s play was highlighted on multiple big runs. Washington was sound in pass protection but clearly as his best when he was able to move people on the ground.
Washington routinely was spotted coming across the formation on the ground and moving first or second-level defenders for huge lanes for the Seminoles’ rushing attack. FSU averaged 7.8 yards per carry in a vintage-type performance.
Offensive Guard: John Champe, Northern Illinois
Exploding for career days, the Northern Illinois offensive line was a huge reason for the Huskies’ success in Week 6. A massive component of that success was undoubtedly John Champe at right guard.
Pulling across the formation, Champe’s athleticism and strength were pivotal in helping push the front line of defense and create massive rushing lanes for the Huskies’ rushing attack to average 10.9 yards per carry.
Center: Maurice Smith, Florida State
Like his teammate above, Maurice Smith combined with his pulling linemen on the ground to help push FSU to 7.8 yards per carry on the ground. Smith made the calls, moved all the bodies, and was impressive in each facet for the Seminoles in their dominant victory over Virginia Tech.
Offensive Guard: Zak Zinter, Michigan
A commanding performance from Zak Zinter was enough to simply bury the Minnesota defense on Saturday night. Michigan’s offense ran for four scores and Zinter was integral in their success against a talented Minnesota defensive front.
Zinter moved well against the Gophers’ athletic front seven defenders on the ground and held his own in pass protection.
Offensive Tackle: Dominick Puni, Kansas
This Kansas offensive line performance was something else. Thanks to Dominick Puni’s efforts on the left side, and essentially the other four starters everywhere else, the Kansas Jayhawks ran roughshod over the UCF Knights.
Puni, though, was on another level on the ground. He planted first and second-level defenders on the ground and helped lead the way to 399 rushing yards and five scores.
EDGE Defender: Jared Verse, Florida State
Playing a mobile QB like Kyron Drones is never going to be easy, yet Jared Verse made it seem like he was jogging at times, keeping up with Drones. Verse utilized his speed and power on multiple pass rushes, showcasing his overall skills to everyone in attendance.
Verse finished with two sacks but made multiple plays with his ability to push the pocket and make life miserable for Drones.
Defensive Interior: Logan Lee, Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes used a stout defensive effort to limit Purdue’s offense on Saturday night, and Logan Lee was a huge reason why. Lee flashed his pass-rushing ability by getting to Purdue QB Hudson Card twice as he consistently pushed the pocket from the inside.
Lee also finished with 10 total tackles as he was all over the field from his interior defensive line position.
Defensive Interior: Cole Godbout, Wyoming
Saving his best for last, Cole Godbout iced the game for Wyoming in Week 6. Godbout tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage and caught his own tipped ball with Fresno State driving, thwarting their comeback chances by himself.
Godbout also recorded a half-sack and four total tackles, showcasing his ability to impact the run and the pass for Wyoming in their upset win over Fresno State.
EDGE Defender: Chris Hardie, Jacksonville State
Back on Wednesday night, the nation was treated to a vintage performance from Chris Hardie. The Jacksonville State defensive end had himself arguably the best outing of his career, recording two sacks and an interception nearly returned for a touchdown.
Hardie’s impact was huge against Middle Tennessee, consistently pushing Blue Raiders QB Nicholas Vattiato off his spot or blowing up running plays almost at will. Hardie was dominant in all facets of defense.
Linebacker: Jackson Mitchell, UConn
Speaking of vintage performances, Jackson Mitchell treated fans to a game for the ages as the UConn Huskies got their first win of the season. Mitchell recorded eight total tackles and five solo stops, patrolling the middle of the field well.
He was everywhere for the Huskies, however, and his instincts popped off the tape multiple times. Mitchell returned a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown that brought UConn back into the game after falling down 14-6. He was everywhere.
Linebacker: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
No statistical showing could indicate the impact that Danny Stutsman had on the Oklahoma defense in the Red River Showdown. Stutsman called the shots and proved to be too much for Texas’ offense to overcome as a one-man wrecking crew.
Stutsman’s run stuff at the goalline was pivotal, just as his coverage was on multiple occasions in the middle of the field. Stutsman finished with nine total tackles, six solo stops, and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Linebacker: Steve Linton, Texas Tech
Despite going up against one of the Big 12’s top offensive lines, Steve Linton was unfazed. Linton ripped through Baylor’s tackles and guards with reckless abandon and finished with three sacks with his near-perfect example of blitzing.
Linton also played well in the flats in coverage, but his biggest impact was certainly his ability to completely shut down the opposing passing attack with his pass-rushing.
Cornerback: Kobe Singleton, Liberty
Targeted heavily against Sam Houston, Liberty CB Kobe Singleton single-handedly kept his Liberty Flames alive and in the lead back on Thursday night. Singleton locked down in coverage all night long, but put forth a masterclass in red-zone coverage.
With a five-point lead but backed up to their own end zone, the Liberty defense came up with multiple defensive stands, thanks to Singleton. Targeted on what felt like every single play in the red zone, Singleton rewarded Liberty fans with three forced incompletions in the end zone alone, including the game-winning pass breakup.
Cornerback: Will Johnson, Michigan
Setting the tone early, Will Johnson’s game-changing interception returned for a touchdown in the early stages against Minnesota gave way for a dominant defensive performance for the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday.
Johnson took the first of two pick-sixes back for a 36-yard interception return and was an integral part of a defense that limited Minnesota to just 52 yards passing all night long.
Cornerback: Quincy Riley, Louisville
The Notre Dame offense had hardly been shut down in 2023, until they ran up against Quincy Riley and the Louisville Cardinals. Riley sparked his Cardinals’ defense with a terrific high-point interception early on, Sam Hartman’s first as a member of Notre Dame, and it was downhill from there.
He finished with four total tackles and an interception as he all but forced Hartman to look elsewhere due to Riley’s tight coverage.
Safety: Cameron Epps, Oklahoma State
Breaking out in front of a national audience on Friday night, Cameron Epps was simply unstoppable for Oklahoma State against Kansas State. Epps made multiple pass breakups and recorded two interceptions in a performance for the ages.
His highlight of the night came when he broke on a ball thrown to the sideline, covering a ton of ground in the process before jumping the intended route and scooting 35 yards for a touchdown on the return. Epps recorded two interceptions to go with six tackles on the night.
Safety: Devin Grant, Buffalo
What a day it was for Devin Grant. The Buffalo Bulls safety single-handedly outscored the Central Michigan offense himself, scoring two touchdowns on pick-sixes and nabbing three interceptions overall.
Grant flew around the field from his safety position, making his first pick-six off a tipped pass before he jumped a route and flashed some elite athleticism to return his second.
High-fiving his way into the end zone on one of the returns, Grant was arguably the biggest game-changer in the Week 6 college football slate.
Flex: Ike Larsen, Utah State
Roaming quite literally everywhere on defense for Utah State, the Aggies’ safety made his presence felt on multiple occasions. First, Larsen nabbed an impressive free-roaming interception on a deep ball.
Second, Larsen jumped a route and attacked the football for his second interception of the night against Colorado State. Larsen also recorded seven total tackles as he locked down in coverage and came downhill against the run very well.
Kicker: Alex Hale, Oklahoma State
Remember back on Friday when Alex Hale scored 17 of Oklahoma State’s 29 points? Even though Hale missed a field goal, he was all but automatic and drilled home five field goals and two extra points.
Hale hit on field goals of 25, 31, 34, 43, and 53 yards in an impressive day.
Punter: Austin McNamara, Texas Tech
Called upon just three times, Austin McNamara was lights out for Texas Tech on Saturday. On all three of those kicks, McNamara booted the Baylor Bears back inside their own territory and inside their own 20. McNamara averaged 48 yards per punt and pinned Baylor at their own six and twice at their own 11-yard line.
Kick Returner: Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Opening the second half against Florida State in dramatic fashion, Bhayshul Tuten brought the Hokies within one possession with his electric return. Tuten sprinted through the FSU kick coverage unit for a 99-yard kick return touchdown that cut FSU’s lead to 22-17.
Despite the final result in the end, Tuten’s effort was felt on offense and with his 156 total kick return yards.
Punt Returner: Ti Mims, Southern Miss
Quite literally the biggest spark for Southern Miss on Saturday night, Ti Mims scores the lone touchdown for the Golden Eagles. In fact, he almost had a second punt return touchdown, but after a controversial ruling that determined he made a fair-catch motion, his second punt return TD was called back.
Still, Mims was unstoppable with the ball in his hands and his 82-yard punt return for a score was the highlight of the night for Southern Miss.
Week 6 College Football Team of the Week | Second Team
Offense
- QB: Drake Maye, North Carolina
- RB: Jawhar Jordan, Louisville
- RB: Jermaine Brown Jr., UAB
- WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- WR: Jacob Cowing, Arizona
- WR: Caullin Lacy, South Alabama
- WR: Jermaine Burton, Alabama
- TE: Trent Pennix, NC State
- FLEX: Thomas Castellanos, Boston College
- OT: Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas
- OG: J.J. Lippe, Northern Illinois
- C: Luke Lapeze, UTSA
- OG: Casey Roddick, Florida State
- OT: Javon Foster, Missouri
Defense
- EDGE: Javon Solomon, Troy
- DT: Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
- DT: Justin Eboigbe, Alabama
- EDGE: Mason Reiger, Louisville
- LB: Nickolas Martin, Oklahoma State
- LB: Ty Wise, Miami (OH)
- LB: Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
- DB: Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin
- DB: Cooper DeJean, Iowa
- DB: Caleb Downs, Alabama
- DB: Josh Proctor, Ohio State
- DB: Jaylon King, Georgia Tech
- FLEX: Devin Neal, Louisville
Special Teams
- K: Jayden Fielding, Ohio State
- P: Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
- KR: Silas Bolden, Oregon State
- PR: Trevor Wilson, Kansas
Week 6 College Football Team of the Week | Third Team
Offense
- QB: Frank Harris, UTSA
- RB: Logan Diggs, LSU
- RB: Cody Schrader, Missouri
- WR: Kevin Concepcion, NC State
- WR: Miles Cross, Ohio
- WR: Tejhaun Palmer, UAB
- TE: David Martin-Robinson, Temple
- FLEX: Jack Velling, Oregon State
- OT: Nick Rosi, Toledo
- OG: Trevor Keegan, Michigan
- C: Mike Novitsky, Kansas
- OG: Trevor Brock, Buffalo
- OT: Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Defense
- EDGE: Davin Vann, NC State
- DT: Mason Graham, Michigan
- DT: Da’Jon Terry, Oklahoma
- EDGE: Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
- LB: Bryce Houston, Ohio
- LB: Jay Higgins, Iowa
- LB: Shae Suiaunoa, Wyoming
- DB: Bryce Anderson, Texas A&M
- DB: Major Burns, LSU
- DB: Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
- DB: Kapena Gushiken, Washington State
- DB: Beau Freyler, Iowa State
- FLEX: Josh Moten, Marshall
Special Teams
- K: Scott Taylor Renfroe, Troy
- P: Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
- KR: Isaiah Hamilton, Washington State
- PR: Tory Horton, Colorado State
Week 6 College Football Team of the Week | Honorable Mention
Offense
- QB: Dequan Finn, Toledo | E.J. Warner, Temple
- RB: Jonah Coleman, Arizona
- RB: Larry McCammon, FAU
- WR: Xavier Restrepo, Miami (FL)
- WR: Luther Burden III, Missouri
- WR: Luke McCaffrey, Rice
- TE: Baylor Cupp, Texas Tech
- FLEX: Alex Tecza, Navy
- OL: Kurt Danneker, Ohio
- OG: Tyler Doty, Buffalo
- C: Devan Rogers, Toledo
- OG: Tate Ratledge, Georgia
- OL: Ed Montilus, North Carolina
Defense
- EDGE: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
- DT: Myles Murphy, North Carolina
- DT: JJ Pegues, Ole Miss
- EDGE: Donnell Brown, Maryland
- LB: Xander Mueller, Northwestern
- LB: LaVonta Bentley, Colorado
- LB: Cedric Gray, North Carolina
- DB: Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
- DB: A’Marion McCoy, Boise State
- DB: Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma
- DB: LaMiles Brooks, Georgia Tech
- DB: Jaden Voisin, South Alabama
- FLEX: Ashanti Cistrunk, Ole Miss
Special Teams
- K: Noah Burnette, North Carolina
- P: Stephen Kotsanlee, Utah State
- KR: Major Everhart, TCU
- PR: Ainias Smith, Texas A&M