SEC Football Roundup: Week 5

Strong performances from SEC powerhouses dominated the headlines in Week 5 of the college football season.

Vanderbilt (3-2, 0-2 SEC) @ Florida (3-1, 3-0 SEC)

The Gators put together an impressive performance on the ground in the 38-24 victory Saturday afternoon in the Swamp.  Florida running backs Lamical Perine  and Freshman Malik Davis combined to score 5 touchdowns in the big win. Felipe Franks replaced Luke Del Rio in the second quarter as Del Rio went down hard on his left shoulder that was surgically repaired in the offseason.  Del Rio is out for the season with a broken left collarbone.  Franks was efficient, completing 10-14 passes for 145 yards.  Winning close games has become a regular ocurrence for the Florida Gators during the McElwain era.

The Commodores showed glimpses on both sides of the ball, but don’t seem to have the talent and depth to compete consistently with the SEC heavyweights.

The Gators tied a NCAA record by scoring in their 365th consecutive game.

Georgia (5-0, 2-0 SEC) @ Tennessee (3-2, 0-2 SEC)

The Bulldogs thrashed the Volunteers 41-0 in Knoxville.  Georgia QB Jake Fromm threw a touchdown pass and ran for two more scores in the blowout.  Running Back Nick Chubb added 109 yards on the ground to help Georgia race to its first 5-0 start since 2012. And more good news for the Bulldogs as QB Jacob Eason made his first appearance in the fourth quarter since spraining his left knee in the season opener.

The tone was set early in this one as Georgia defensive back Tyrique McGhee intercepted Quinten Dormady on the first play from scrimmage.  Dormady finished 5 of 16 for 64 yards and two interceptions before Jarrett Guarantano replaced him in the third quarter.

Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones challenges his players following the loss.

The Bulldogs jumped to No. 5 in the AP Top 25 poll.

Peyton Manning was honored at halftime for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Mississippi St (3-2, 1-2 SEC) @ Auburn (4-1, 2-0 SEC)

Tiger’s RB Kerryon Johnson ran for three scores to lead Auburn to a 49-10 victory.  Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham launched a handful of long balls for the Tigers, finishing with a very efficient 13 of 16 line for 264 yards and two touchdowns.

Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald passed for 157 yards and ran for 56 but was intercepted twice. Compounding the Bulldog’s struggles was an ugly 5 of 19 on third down conversions and just 2 of 6 on fourth down attempts.  The Bulldogs had seven false start penalties in the ugly loss.

Here’s Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzahn on the win:

Auburn has beaten back-to-back SEC opponents by 30-plus points for the first time since 1987.

South Carolina (3-2, 1-2 SEC) @ Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC)

The Aggies’ strong fourth quarter led Texas A&M to a 24-17 win over South Carolina.  True Freshman QB Kellen Mond threw for 159 yards and ran for 95 to help the Aggies rally for the victory.  Keith Ford was fed the rock and he delivered, running for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

South Carolina Quarterback Jake Bentley spent too much time on the carpet as he was sacked seven times behind a line dealing with injuries.  Bentley threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

Ole Miss (2-2, 0-1 SEC) @ Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC)

Alabama continues to look dominant, dismantling Ole Miss 66-3.  The Crimson Tide scored the most points in a game since 1979 and scored 50+ in consecutive SEC games for the first time since 1945.

Jalen Hurts threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score.  Alabama lost defensive end Da’Shawn Hand to a left knee injury in the third quarter when he was blocked low by an Ole Miss player.

Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban highlights his team’s defensive success on third downs as a key contributor to the impressive performance.

New Mexico St (2-3) @ Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC)

Austin Allen led the Razorbacks to a 42-24 win over New Mexico St Saturday.  The Senior completed 19 of 26 for 264 yards and three touchdowns.  Receiver Jonathan Nance recorded two of those scores for Arkansas.   Devwah Whaley led the Arkansas rushing attack with 119 yards on 19 carries.

Quarterback Austin Allen looked strong in the win, leading the Razorbacks to touchdowns on four of their first five possessions.

E Michigan (2-2) @ Kentucky (4-1, 1-1 SEC)

The Wildcats pulled of the 24-20 victory behind a strong performance from Kentucky’s special teams unit.  Tristan Yeomans recovered a muffed punt at EMU’s 42, leading to a Kentucky field goal that put the Cats up 17-14 in the second half.  The unit blocked a punt early in the fourth quarter at EMU’s 12 yard line. The result was a touchdown on the next play to give the Wildcats a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles outgained the Wildcats on offense 312-228 in the loss.

Troy (4-1) @ LSU (3-2, 0-1 SEC)

Troy stunned LSU 24-21 in Baton Rouge Saturday.  Jordan Chunn ran for 191 yards and a touchdown, and Troy forced four turnovers to upset the 25th-ranked LSU Tigers.  The Trojans became the first team from outside the SEC to win at Death Valley since UAB in 2000.

About Greg Neatrour

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