Whether it was the record-setting overtime between Penn State and Illinois, or the shootout between Army and Wake Forest, Week 8 didn’t lack entertainment. Here is my team of the week for Week 8 of the 2021 season.
QB – Sam Hartman, Wake Forest
This weekend we saw Hartman put in one of the best games you will ever see from a college football quarterback. Wake Forest put up 70 points on Army, with Hartman going 23 of 29 for 461 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged an absurd 15.9 yards per pass attempt, with four big time throws to zero turnover-worthy plays.
RB – Chase Brown, Illinois
Penn State and Illinois set a record for the longest game in college football history, with nine periods of overtime. Brown was the key to Illinois’ victory as the offense ran through him all game. He finished with 223 yards and a touchdown on his 32 carries. 63.2% of this came after contact.
RB – Blake Corum, Michigan
Michigan’s running game was dominant this weekend against Northwestern and Corum played a huge part in their 33-7 win. He finished with 119 yards on his 19 carries, scoring two touchdowns in the process. 73.1% of his yardage came after contact and he forced a career-high 11 missed tackles.
WR – Malik Williams, Appalachian State
Malik Williams is in his fifth year with the Mountaineers and had the game of his career this weekend. He was exceptional as the team’s deep threat and logged career-highs in both catches (10) and yards (206). He finished with a passer rating when targeted of 137.5.
WR – Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest
Roberson was Sam Hartman’s biggest receiving weapon this weekend and he had a career performance. He finished the game with eight catches for 157 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged over eight yards after the catch and caught both of his contested targets.
TE – Cole Turner, Nevada
Nevada didn’t get the win over Fresno State, but Cole Turner was very impressive this weekend. He finished the game with eight catches for 105 yards, having now hit triple digits in back-to-back games. He also found paydirt, with two touchdowns against the Bulldogs.
OT – Sean Rhyan, UCLA
I had Rhyan on my list of players to watch in Week 8 and he delivered on expectations. The big question was how he would handle his matchup with Kayvon Thibodeaux. They didn’t line up against each other a tonne, but Rhyan held his own when they did. He looked good against the rest of the Oregon defense too, allowing just two pressures on 61 pass blocking snaps.
OT – Dawand Jones, Ohio State
Jones has looked fantastic since being given a starting role in the Buckeyes’ offense. His 87.3 PFF run blocking grade was the best of any Power Five tackle this weekend. He also looked solid in pass protection, allowing a single pressure on his 37 pass blocking snaps.
IOL – Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Johnson was another Buckeye lineman to impress this weekend. He looked polished in pass protection and didn’t allow a pressure across his 27 pass blocking snaps. He has been an excellent run blocker so far this season and showed again here. His 92.8 PFF run blocking grade was the best of any Power Five interior linemen.
IOL – AJ Gillie, Louisiana
This weekend marks Gillie’s second appearance in a Team of the Week in the 2021 season. He continues to impress as a run blocker, earning an impressive 93.7 PFF run blocking grade. He also looked good in pass protection, not allowing a single pressure on 28 pass blocking snaps.
IOL – Baveon Johnson, Florida State
Johnson shifted back over to guard this weekend after playing center for most of the season. The move has worked out. He earned an impressive 88.3 PFF run blocking grade and was one of just three Power Five interior linemen to have 80+ PFF grades as a pass protector and run blocker.
IDL – Neil Farrell, LSU
Farrell caused a tonne of problems for the Ole Miss offensive line this weekend. He was fantastic against the run and racked up an impressive four defensive stops. His influence extended to the passing game too as he finished with a very impressive five pressures on just 22 pass rushing snaps.
IDL – Manny Jones, Colorado State
Jones had his best game of the season this weekend. He showed himself to be an impactful pass rusher, racking up five pressures and two sacks on his 39 pass rushing snaps. His pair of sacks were the most of any interior linemen this weekend and he also led the position with eight defensive stops.
EDGE – Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Thibodeaux has been exceptional this season and continued that this weekend. He was dominant against UCLA, racking up 10 pressures and three sacks on his 50 pass rushing snaps. He also managed to have an incredible six defensive stops and forced a fumble.
EDGE – David Perales, Fresno State
Perales was incredibly disruptive against Nevada this weekend. He finished the game with 10 pressures and two sacks on his 55 pass rushing snaps. He also managed five defensive stops, as well as forcing a fumble. This was easily the best game of his season so far.
LB – Cam’Ron Carter, Colorado State
Carter has looked much improved in 2021 and he continued that trend this weekend. He had 12 tackles against Utah State and didn’t miss a single attempt. As a blitzer he managed four pressures and a sack. On top of all of this he was one of the best coverage linebackers this weekend, grabbing a pick and pass breakup on his four targets.
LB – Avery Roberts, Oregon State
Roberts was everywhere for the Beavers this weekend. He racked up a season-high 16 tackles, without a single miss. He was solid in coverage, giving up just 13 yards on his three targets. Roberts also had eight defensive stops, the most of any defender this weekend.
CB – Jay Shaw, UCLA
Shaw’s performance in coverage is what puts him on this list. He was excellent against Oregon, giving up just two catches on his four targets. These went for just 23 yards. On his other two targets, Shaw managed to contribute a pass breakup and an interception.
CB – DJ James, Oregon
James is the fourth player from the UCLA-Oregon matchup to make this Team of the Week. He was a reliable tackler and didn’t miss a single one of his seven attempts. In coverage he allowed just four completions on nine targets and had two picks, including the one that sealed the win for Oregon.
CB – Davonte Brown, UCF
Brown was very solid against Memphis this weekend. He finished the game with just 45 yards allowed on his nine targets. His production at the catch point was fantastic too and he managed to grab an interception and two pass breakups on the way to UCF’s fourth win of the season.
S – Joey Blount, Virginia
Blount had one of those all-around days you look for in a safety. He had just one miss on his 11 tackle attempts against Georgia Tech. He also gave up just seven yards in coverage, whilst providing an interception and a pass breakup.
S – Coco Azema, Northwestern
Azema was one of the few bright sparks for Northwestern this weekend. He finished up with 13 tackles and led the Wildcats with five defensive stops. He did a good job in coverage too, allowing just 33 yards on six targets and contributing a pass breakup.
