QBC Week in Review 9/23: Top Performers

QBC Week in Review 9/23: Top Performers

 In College QB News, Featured News, Latest News

It was another strong week for QB Country’s college trainees, with the following players turning in notable performances:

Garrett Shrader (Mississippi State)
True freshman Garrett Shrader continues to answer the bell while starter Tommy Stevens recovers from injury. In his first collegiate start, Garrett led the Bulldogs to a 28-13 victory over Kentucky in a performance that showcased his dynamic athletic skills. Garrett went 17/22 for 180 yards passing and rushed for 125 yards on 11 carries, including a dazzling 49 yard-run late in the fourth that set up MSU’s final touchdown. He became the first MSU quarterback to rush for more than 100 yards and pass for more than 100 yards in his first career start. For his efforts, Garrett earned SEC Freshman of the Week Honors. Said teammate and wide receiver Dedrick Thomas:

“He’s playing like a No. 1. He’s playing like a starter. He’s playing like a great quarterback.”

Coach Joe Moorhead agreed:

“His ability to make plays by design or improvisation was the biggest thing that stuck out (vs. Kentucky)…In my mind, I know he’s a freshman, but I think he plays a little bit more mature than most true freshmen.”

Jake Fromm (Georgia)
Jake Fromm continues to shine in the biggest moments. With Georgia facing their toughest test of the season to date in Notre Dame, Jake went 20/26 for 187 yards and a TD to lead the Bulldogs to a 23-17 win. With the victory, Georgia maintained its #3 national ranking. Jake showed his moxie and leadership once again, guiding a group of young receivers and making clutch throws like this:

Said coach Kirby Smart:

“Jake takes things that are broke and fixes them. He makes wrong right. I’m glad he’s on our team, because he’s a leader, he’s a commander-in-chief.”

Tyler Johnston (UAB)
Tyler Johnston followed-up his C-USA Player of the Week performance against Akron with an equally impressive outing against South Alabama. Tyler went 22/27 for 313 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-3 victory. Over the past two weeks, he’s thrown for 632 yards and seven touchdowns. The Blazers are 3-0 and Tyler’s efforts in his first full year under center are a big reason why. Said UAB coach Bill Clark:

“The great thing about Tyler is his teammates like playing with him. He already had the intangibles, but to see him take these steps to be a complete quarterback has really been fun to watch.”

Brady Davis (Illinois State)
Brady put on a show on Saturday, going 22/33 for a career-high 419 yards and two TDs to lead the Redbirds to a 40-27 victory over Northern Arizona. Brady earned Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance, which propelled Illinois State to #10 in the FCS rankings. Said Brady after a few weeks of more defense-oriented ISU victories:

“It was fun. It was great to go out and have some success through the air.”

Additional Highlights:

Zac Thomas went 20/29 for 224 yards and added 57 yards on the ground as Appalachian State beat UNC 34-31. The Mountaineers improved to 3-0 and picked up an impressive road victory against a Power 5 opponent.

Kaleb Barker went 25/37 for 214 yards and three touchdowns and added a nine-yard TD run in Troy’s 35-7 win over Akron.

Austin Kendall led West Virginia to an impressive road victory, going 25/37 for 202 yards as the Mountaineers beat Kansas 29-24.

Dan Ellington continued to shine even in defeat, passing for 219 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-34 OT loss at Texas State.

Sam Howell had another 300-yard game, going 27/41 for 323 yards and three TDs in a 34-31 loss to Appalachian State.

John Rhys Plumlee had a heck of a debut for Ole Miss, filling in late for injured starter Matt Corral and going 7/7 for 82 yards and rushing for another 53 as the Rebels nearly knocked off Cal late. Here’s John Rhys’s first college snap: