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[NCAA] Week 3: Travis Hunter Chases the Ram

September 15, 2024

Every Sunday, the DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the NCAA championship and the players eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.

NCAA Player of the Week 3 – Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)

His game (at Colorado State): 13 receptions, 100 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 tackles, 1 interception

Don't bury Colorado too quickly!

After a nasty loss to Nebraska in Week 2 (10-28), the Buffaloes got some comfort in the Rocky Mountain Showdown against their rivals Colorado State. The inevitable Sanders/Hunter duo proved that coach Deion Sanders may have been right to be optimistic.

“I think we have two of the best football players in the country. We have those type of players in our locker room.”

In Colorado's 28-7 win over Colorado State, Travis Hunter was an ever-present. Playing as usual on both ends of the field, he racked up 13 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns on offense, while making four tackles and an interception on defense. Hunter solidifies his status with the NFL Draft just months away, but continues to fuel discussions about his ideal position.

NCAA Players of the Week 3 – Honorable Mentions

  • Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama): 12/17, 196 yards, 3 touchdowns, 14 carries, 75 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): 36/49, 310 yards, 4 touchdowns
  • Cameron Ward (QB, Miami (FL)): 19/28, 346 yards, 5 touchdowns
  • Raheim Sanders (HB, South Carolina): 19 carries, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • RJ Harvey Jr. (HB, UCF): 29 carries, 180 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 reception, 29 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Omarion Hampton (HB, North Carolina): 25 carries, 210 yards, 3 touchdowns

Jalen Milroe is back. Against Wisconsin, the game was over by halftime. Milroe had already accumulated 196 yards and three touchdowns through the air, 75 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Milroe is becoming a prolific and reliable passer in the short and intermediate passing game, in addition to his magnificent deep ball.

While Quinn Ewers is out with an injury, Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are the favorite quarterbacks. More than 300 yards in the air and 4 touchdowns for one, including two for Travis Hunter, almost 350 yards and 5 touchdowns for the other.

Finally, the ground game is represented by Raheim Sanders, RJ Harvey Jr. and Omarion Hampton this week. Despite the narrow defeat against LSU (33-36), the former collected 143 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 carries. The latter was much more successful, allowing his team to stay in contact with TCU until the end, before winning 35-34 in the final moments of the match. The latter completely crushed the modest North Carolina with 210 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Could have been mentioned: Bryce Anderson (S, Texas A&M)Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss), Alan Bowman (QB, Oklahoma State), Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon), Tyler Grubbs (LB, Tulane)

NCAA Week 3 Revelation – Arch Manning (QB, Texas)

His game (against UTSA): 9/12, 223 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 rush, 67 yards, 1 touchdown

A family of champions. Arch Manning, nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning, son of former Ole Miss receiver Cooper Manning and grandson of Archie Manning, is starting to get used to a name.

The redshirt freshman quarterback from Texas replaced last week's player of the week Quinn Ewers with an injury early in the second quarter. The Longhorns' offense didn't slow down one bit, though, rolling through UTSA (56-7) Saturday night in Austin.

Over three quarters, Manning threw for 223 yards and four touchdowns, including a 51-yard touchdown to Isaiah Bond and a 72-yard touchdown to Ryan Wingo. But the rusher didn't stop there, as he also added a 67-yard touchdown run. He showed off his speed on the occasion, running the longest run by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young in 2005. Athletic qualities that probably don't come from his uncles.

NCAA Week 3 Revelation – Honorable Mentions

  • Ryan Williams (WR, Alabama): 4 receptions, 78 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Eli Holstein (QB, Pittsburgh): 21/30, 301 yards, 3 touchdowns, 14 carries, 59 yards

Talent has no age. Ryan Williams, a 17-year-old freshman receiver, is a case in point. In his third NCAA game, the youngest FBS player has already scored his fourth touchdown of the season. The Alabama receiver shows impressive technique and speed for his age. A name to remember.

At the end of the suspense, the Pittsburgh Panthers won against West Virginia (38-34). They will be able to thank their first-year quarterback Eli Holstein, author of a remarkable match with 301 yards in the air and 3 touchdowns.

Could have been mentioned: Gio Lopez (QB, South Alabama), Caden Durham (HB, LSU), Kennedy Urlacher (LB, Notre Dame)

NCAA Week 3 Flop – Davis Warren (QB, Michigan)

His game (against Arkansas State): 11/14, 122 yards, 3 interceptions

Michigan won its game (28-18), but Davis Warren seems to have lost a lot this Saturday.

A starter for Michigan following JJ McCarthy's departure to the NFL, the senior quarterback has been disappointing week after week. This Saturday, after he threw his third interception of the afternoon late in the third quarter against Arkansas State, the Wolverines called on youngster Alex Orji to take over. In just 4 throws, the latter fared better, completing 2 passes and finding the end zone for a touchdown by tight end Hogan Hansen. As USC approaches next week, coach Sherrone Moore will have to make a decision.

A reason for satisfaction for Davis Warren? His 14 passes thrown were caught, 11 times by his teammates and 3 times by the opponents.

Could have been mentioned: DJ Uiagalelei (QB, Florida State), Noah Fifita (QB, Arizona), Carson Beck (QB, Georgia), Ollie Gordon II (RB, Oklahoma State)

NCAA Week 3 Recap

Two years ago, Georgia (1) won an inglorious victory over Missouri early in the season before going on to win the national championship. Same old story? Carson Beck and his teammates weren't brilliant against Kentucky, throwing for just 262 yards, but they did just enough to win (13-12).

Meanwhile, Oregon (9) got back on track and accumulated nearly 550 yards of offense in a resounding victory over Oregon State. The Ducks' offense, which was not very visible last week, this time reached an average of 9.3 yards per play. Dan Lanning must be happy with a team that is once again dominant.

Ranked 10th in the country in the preseason and one year after finishing the 2023 season with a 13-1 record, Florida State falls to 0-3. Facing Memphis, the Seminoles lose 12-20 with a DJ Uiagalelei again disappointing (16/30, 201 yards, 1 interception). Over the last 50 years, they had only lost their first three games twice… That makes three.

Finally, South Alabama completely crushed the modest Northwestern State on Thursday night (87-10). A victory that marks the biggest victory by an FBS university against an FCS opponent. South Alabama also scored the most points in a game since 1991, the year Fresno State inflicted a 94-17 on New Mexico. The height of history? The fourth act lasted only 6 minutes.

In other games, Kansas State (14) proved they were a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12, the Wildcats won 31-7 against Arizona (20) in one of two Top 25 games this week. The second game saw Missouri (6) beat Boston College (24) 27-21.

NCAA Week 3 Action

New action of the week, and still Kansas State at the rendezvous. After last week's sack/fumble/touchdown, the Wildcats this time reward us with a punt return for a touchdown. Going up the field for 72 yards, Dylan Edwards allowed Kansas State to take the lead against Arizona. They then left nothing to their opponents, winning largely by a score of 31-7.

SEE ALSO:  Panthers – Vikings (13-21): Harrison Smith offers Minnesota its first victory
September 15, 2024
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