SEC: Caleb Sturgis
Our look at the SEC's most productive returning players in 2012 continues with a look at the league's top returning placekickers.
Past producers:
The SEC returns eight of the top 10 kickers from last season. We decided to go by field goals made over percentage, because a few players had higher percentages, but didn't have as many attempts. The top kicker is back, but when it comes to field-goal kicking, the crown is always always up for grabs.
Here's a look at the top returning kicker when it comes to field goals made:
Caleb Sturgis, Florida: He connected on 22 of 26 field goal attempts for a kicking percentage of 84.6 last season. He hit 19 of 21 kicks within 50 yards, and was 3-for-5 from 50 yards and beyond, including hitting a long of 55. Sturgis also nailed all 31 of his extra-point attempts. Sturgis, who was finalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to college football's best placekicker, did all of that after suffering a very serious back in 2010. The injury cost him the final nine games of the season. Sturgis has one of the strongest legs in the country, and really improved his accuracy in 2011. He will likely receive a few preseason accolades this fall, and should yet again be in the conversation as the nation's top kicker.
The SEC returns seven more of the top 10 kickers from 2011:
Kicking is so unpredictable these days. Just look at last year's bowl season. Yuck. So it's tough to say if Sturgis will keep his crown. Hocker is someone who will definitely push for the top spot, because of all the scoring opportunities Arkansas will have. But he could also lose chances if the Hogs get in the end zone too many times.
Shelley and Alleman should also get plenty of chances to get near the end zone. Both Alabama and LSU should have improved passing games, so both offenses should move the ball well enough to satisfy their kickers.
Missouri returns Trey Barrow and Andrew Baggett this season. Barrow, who filled in nicely for the injured Grant Ressel, began the spring as a starter, but moved behind Baggett after struggling along the way. The competition should run through fall camp and should be pretty fun to watch. The winner should have more than a few chances of getting into kicking range with the Tigers' offense.
Longtime Georgia kicker Blair Walsh is gone, and while he struggled last season, he still made 21 field goals. The Bulldogs have a few options at placekicker and will take a hard look at freshmen Marshall Morgan and Collin Barber. The coaching staff has made it clear that it will work on live field-goal attempts more during the preseason than it has in the past.
Mississippi State must replace one of the league's top kickers in Derek DePasquale. Brian Egan, a former Parade All-American, looks ready to step in, so keep an eye on him this fall.
Past producers:
The SEC returns eight of the top 10 kickers from last season. We decided to go by field goals made over percentage, because a few players had higher percentages, but didn't have as many attempts. The top kicker is back, but when it comes to field-goal kicking, the crown is always always up for grabs.
Here's a look at the top returning kicker when it comes to field goals made:
Caleb Sturgis, Florida: He connected on 22 of 26 field goal attempts for a kicking percentage of 84.6 last season. He hit 19 of 21 kicks within 50 yards, and was 3-for-5 from 50 yards and beyond, including hitting a long of 55. Sturgis also nailed all 31 of his extra-point attempts. Sturgis, who was finalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to college football's best placekicker, did all of that after suffering a very serious back in 2010. The injury cost him the final nine games of the season. Sturgis has one of the strongest legs in the country, and really improved his accuracy in 2011. He will likely receive a few preseason accolades this fall, and should yet again be in the conversation as the nation's top kicker.
The SEC returns seven more of the top 10 kickers from 2011:
- Zach Hocker, Arkansas: He connected on 21 of 27 (77.8) field goal attempts, including a long of 50 yards. He also hit 20 of 26 kicks from within 50 yards. He made 57 of 59 (96.5) extra points.
- Jeremy Shelley, Alabama: He connected on 21 of 27 (77.8) field goal attempts, including a long of 44. All of his kicks came within 50 yards. He made 52 of 54 (96.3) extra points.
- Drew Alleman, LSU: He connected on 16 of 18 (88.9) field goal attempts, including a long of 44. He also hit 16 of 17 kicks within 50 yards. He made 62 of 63 (98.4) extra points.
- Cody Parkey, Auburn: He connected on 13 of 18 (72.2) field goals, including a long of 45. All of his attempts came within 50 yards. He made 41 of 42 (97.6) extra points.
- Craig McIntosh, Kentucky: He connected on 12 of 14 (85.7) field goals, including a long of 48. All of his attempts came within 50 yards. He made 20 of 21 (95.1) extra points.
- Bryson Rose, Ole Miss: He connected on 9 of 11 (81.8) field goals, including a long of 43. He also hit 9 of 10 kicks from within 50 yards. He made 20 of 21 (95.2) extra points.
- Michael Palardy, Tennessee: He connected on 9 of 14 (64.3) field goals, including a long of 52. He also hit 8 of 12 kicks from within 50 yards. He made 25 of 26 (96.2) extra points.
Kicking is so unpredictable these days. Just look at last year's bowl season. Yuck. So it's tough to say if Sturgis will keep his crown. Hocker is someone who will definitely push for the top spot, because of all the scoring opportunities Arkansas will have. But he could also lose chances if the Hogs get in the end zone too many times.
Shelley and Alleman should also get plenty of chances to get near the end zone. Both Alabama and LSU should have improved passing games, so both offenses should move the ball well enough to satisfy their kickers.
Missouri returns Trey Barrow and Andrew Baggett this season. Barrow, who filled in nicely for the injured Grant Ressel, began the spring as a starter, but moved behind Baggett after struggling along the way. The competition should run through fall camp and should be pretty fun to watch. The winner should have more than a few chances of getting into kicking range with the Tigers' offense.
Longtime Georgia kicker Blair Walsh is gone, and while he struggled last season, he still made 21 field goals. The Bulldogs have a few options at placekicker and will take a hard look at freshmen Marshall Morgan and Collin Barber. The coaching staff has made it clear that it will work on live field-goal attempts more during the preseason than it has in the past.
Mississippi State must replace one of the league's top kickers in Derek DePasquale. Brian Egan, a former Parade All-American, looks ready to step in, so keep an eye on him this fall.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four members of the media were chosen to be guest coaches and allowed to go behind the scenes of Florida's Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday. Brady Ackerman of Sun Sports, Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun, Andy Staples of SI.com and yours truly were granted access to join the Gators as they prepared for their spring game. We experienced the sights and sounds of the closest thing to a game day for a major college football program; this is what I saw ...
8:00 a.m.: I arrive at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a Starbucks Doubleshot and a Snickers Marathon energy bar to start the day. The sun is up and there's a breeze in the air. It's almost the perfect setting to start a long day of running around Florida's football facility.
8:30: We meet with coach Will Muschamp in his spacious office inside the stadium for a casual 15 minutes to talk shop. There are some laughs and some talk about the team, and he warns us that a poor performance by one of the two teams -- Orange or Blue -- will be followed by having the blame placed on the two media members coaching that side. Ackerman and I are placed on the Blue Team, while Dooley and Staples are assigned to the Orange Team.
9:05: A true breakfast of champions. We walk over to one of the dinning halls across from the stadium. The first thing you notice is that the dining area couldn't be big enough to house all these football players, but somehow, it is. The Gators pile in and begin the feast. The basics are there: pancakes, bacon, eggs and grits. And at the end of the buffet line, steaks and grilled chicken breasts sat there ready to be devoured ... and they were. After sipping on some fine, freshly squeezed orange juice, we media members tried to blend in and snag some grub before the carnivores went back for seconds. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins stacked steaks on chicken, while fullback Hunter Joyer went with pretty much everything he could lay eyes on and added some pasta. The fruit was barely touched. I tried to mimic the players, throwing protein and starch together for a yummy, relatively healthy cornucopia of deliciousness. Grilled chicken and pancakes really do work.
9:35: After stuffing our faces, we head back over to the stadium and toward the locker room. We stand around as players, coaches, recruits and staff members wandered the halls. TV screens that surround a massive gator head in the middle of the room show highlights from the 2011 season, mixed with music videos featuring LMFAO, Will.i.am and Drake. Every player touches the gator before he runs out onto the field before games.
9:37: Running backs coach Brian White, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and offensive line coach Tim Davis gig us about coaching. We're asked what our game plan is, and we basically say not getting in the way. Dooley tells Quinn to blitz every down and I tell Davis that he should be glad I'm on his team because my PlayStation skills are unmatched. He laughs, realizing I'd be in over my head if this were real.
10:05: After walking back and forth for a good 10 minutes, rising senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter embraces Quinn and yells "Last time, baby," signaling that his Gators career is coming to an end.
10:20: We leave the locker room to go on the Gator Walk. Last year, the team bussed. This year, it walked, so we walked. The team is dressed in orange shirts and blue shorts -- nothing too flashy. Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar awkwardly raps the words to some song, while the freshmen converse about doing this for the first time.
10:26: I finally hit the official start of the Gator Walk. It's spring break for Alachua County school districts, so the crowd is a little thin, but it's lively. Still, with the smaller crowd there to greet the Gators, kicker Caleb Sturgis utters this gem: "This is what happens when you go 7-6." Defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd looks at me and says that the Gator Walk never gets old, then counts the number of hugs he gave with the exact number of "a lot."
10:40: As the team piles into the locker room, the offense stays on the field for a mini walk-through. Offensive coordinator Brent Pease goes over Xs and Os and formations ... lots of formations. He's pulling, pushing and quizzing guys along the way and even puts on player on the spot with a heap of questions about a certain play and formation. Luckily for the player, he passed Pease's test.
10:49: The offense huddles up, with rising sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel pushing to the middle, before breaking and heading to the locker room.
11:55: After a lot of waiting and people watching, we finally head into the locker room with the players an hour before kickoff. Led by new strength coach Jeff Dillman, the players are going through dynamic stretching, with Dillman leading like a drill instructor with short, loud commands. Players isolate their cores, thoroughly stretch their legs and their backs; Dillman is very technical and very loud. "We're gonna have a great day today!" he yells. "Build that rage! One minute till we prime that engine!"
8:00 a.m.: I arrive at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a Starbucks Doubleshot and a Snickers Marathon energy bar to start the day. The sun is up and there's a breeze in the air. It's almost the perfect setting to start a long day of running around Florida's football facility.
8:30: We meet with coach Will Muschamp in his spacious office inside the stadium for a casual 15 minutes to talk shop. There are some laughs and some talk about the team, and he warns us that a poor performance by one of the two teams -- Orange or Blue -- will be followed by having the blame placed on the two media members coaching that side. Ackerman and I are placed on the Blue Team, while Dooley and Staples are assigned to the Orange Team.
9:05: A true breakfast of champions. We walk over to one of the dinning halls across from the stadium. The first thing you notice is that the dining area couldn't be big enough to house all these football players, but somehow, it is. The Gators pile in and begin the feast. The basics are there: pancakes, bacon, eggs and grits. And at the end of the buffet line, steaks and grilled chicken breasts sat there ready to be devoured ... and they were. After sipping on some fine, freshly squeezed orange juice, we media members tried to blend in and snag some grub before the carnivores went back for seconds. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins stacked steaks on chicken, while fullback Hunter Joyer went with pretty much everything he could lay eyes on and added some pasta. The fruit was barely touched. I tried to mimic the players, throwing protein and starch together for a yummy, relatively healthy cornucopia of deliciousness. Grilled chicken and pancakes really do work.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Phil SandlinStrength coach Jeff Dillman gives Florida coach Will Muschamp, right, a thumbs-up during Saturday's Orange and Blue proceedings.
AP Photo/Phil SandlinStrength coach Jeff Dillman gives Florida coach Will Muschamp, right, a thumbs-up during Saturday's Orange and Blue proceedings.9:37: Running backs coach Brian White, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and offensive line coach Tim Davis gig us about coaching. We're asked what our game plan is, and we basically say not getting in the way. Dooley tells Quinn to blitz every down and I tell Davis that he should be glad I'm on his team because my PlayStation skills are unmatched. He laughs, realizing I'd be in over my head if this were real.
10:05: After walking back and forth for a good 10 minutes, rising senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter embraces Quinn and yells "Last time, baby," signaling that his Gators career is coming to an end.
10:20: We leave the locker room to go on the Gator Walk. Last year, the team bussed. This year, it walked, so we walked. The team is dressed in orange shirts and blue shorts -- nothing too flashy. Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar awkwardly raps the words to some song, while the freshmen converse about doing this for the first time.
10:26: I finally hit the official start of the Gator Walk. It's spring break for Alachua County school districts, so the crowd is a little thin, but it's lively. Still, with the smaller crowd there to greet the Gators, kicker Caleb Sturgis utters this gem: "This is what happens when you go 7-6." Defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd looks at me and says that the Gator Walk never gets old, then counts the number of hugs he gave with the exact number of "a lot."
10:40: As the team piles into the locker room, the offense stays on the field for a mini walk-through. Offensive coordinator Brent Pease goes over Xs and Os and formations ... lots of formations. He's pulling, pushing and quizzing guys along the way and even puts on player on the spot with a heap of questions about a certain play and formation. Luckily for the player, he passed Pease's test.
10:49: The offense huddles up, with rising sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel pushing to the middle, before breaking and heading to the locker room.
11:55: After a lot of waiting and people watching, we finally head into the locker room with the players an hour before kickoff. Led by new strength coach Jeff Dillman, the players are going through dynamic stretching, with Dillman leading like a drill instructor with short, loud commands. Players isolate their cores, thoroughly stretch their legs and their backs; Dillman is very technical and very loud. "We're gonna have a great day today!" he yells. "Build that rage! One minute till we prime that engine!"
Mel Kiper, ESPN's NFL draft expert, has compiled his list of the top 5 players by position of the returning seniors in college football for the 2012 season.
Here's a look at the SEC players on the list:
TOP RETURNING SENIORS BY POSITION
Here's a look at the SEC players on the list:
TOP RETURNING SENIORS BY POSITION
- Arkansas' Tyler Wilson, No. 3 quarterback
- Arkansas' Knile Davis, No. 2 running back
- Arkansas' Cobi Hamilton, No. 4 wide receiver
- Arkansas' Chris Gragg, No. 1 tight end
- Alabama's Michael Williams, No. 2 tight end
- LSU's Alex Hurst, No. 3 offensive tackle
- Tennessee's Dallas Thomas, No. 4 offensive tackle
- Alabama's Barrett Jones, No. 1 offensive guard
- Kentucky's Larry Warford, No. 2 offensive guard
- Alabama's Chance Warmack, No. 3 offensive guard
- Georgia's Abry Jones, No. 4 defensive end
- South Carolina's Devin Taylor, No. 5 defensive end
- Alabama's Jesse Williams, No. 2 defensive tackle
- Georgia's John Jenkins, No. 3 defensive tackle
- Texas A&M's Sean Porter, No. 4 outside linebacker
- Missouri's Zaviar Gooden, No. 5 outside linebacker
- Mississippi State's Johnthan Banks, No. 1 cornerback
- Georgia's Sanders Commings, No. 5 cornerback
- Georgia's Bacarri Rambo, No. 2 safety
- Alabama's Robert Lester, No. 4 safety
- Florida's Caleb Sturgis, No. 2 kicker
- Ole Miss' Tyler Campbell, No. 4 punter
Another look at some SEC season notes
January, 24, 2012
Jan 24
11:00
AM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Even as we turn our attention to the 2012 football season, there's always time to check back with the past from time to time.
The SEC released its last set of notes from the 2011 season this week, so we thought we'd take a look at some of the interesting facts and figures from the previous season.
For starters, how about a look at the SEC players of the week?
Week 1 (Games of Sept. 1-3): Offense - Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State; Defense - Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU; Special Teams - Joe Adams, WR/RS, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Rokevious Watkins, OT, South Carolina; Co-Defensive Lineman - Jaye Howard, DT, Florida; Luke McDermott, DT, Kentucky; Co-Freshman - Trey Depriest, LB, Alabama; Tre Mason, RB/RS, Auburn.
Week 2 (Games of Sept. 10): Offense - Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee; Defense - Mark Barron, S, Alabama; Special Teams - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina; Offensive Lineman - Alvin Bailey, OG, Arkansas; Defensive Lineman - Rob Lohr, DT, Vanderbilt; Co-Freshman - Josh Clemons, RB, Kentucky; Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia.
Week 3 (Games of Sept. 15-17): Co-Offense - Chris Rainey, RB, Florida; Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina; Defense -Trey Wilson, DB, Vanderbilt; Special Teams - Caleb Sturgis, PK, Florida; Offensive Lineman - Wesley Johnson, C, Vanderbilt; Defensive Lineman - Bennie Logan, DT, LSU; Freshman- Odell Beckham, WR, LSU.
Week 4 (Games of Sept. 24): Offense - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; Defense -Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina; Special Teams - Brad Wing, P, LSU; Offensive Lineman - Barrett Jones, OT, Alabama; Defensive Lineman - Jaye Howard, DT, Florida; Freshman- Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia.
Week 5 (Games of Oct. 1): Co-Offense - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas; Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas; Defense - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina; Special Teams - Steven Clark, P, Auburn; Offensive Lineman - William Vlachos, C, Alabama; Defensive Lineman - Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU; Freshman - Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia..
Week 6 (Games of Oct. 8): Offense - Connor Shaw, QB, South Carolina; Defense - Mike Gilliard, ILB, Georgia; Special Teams - Blair Walsh, PK, Georgia; Offensive Lineman - Will Blackwell, OG, LSU; Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Freshman - Tevin Mitchel, CB, Arkansas.
Week 7 (Games of Oct. 15): Offense - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; Co-Defense - Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn; D.J. Swearinger, FS, South Carolina; Special Teams - Steven Clark, P, Auburn; Offensive Lineman - Chris Faulk, OT, LSU; Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Co-Freshman - Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina; Ray Drew, OLB, Georgia.
Week 8 (Games of Oct. 22): Offense - Dennis Johnson, RB, Arkansas; Defense - Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama; Special Teams - Brad Wing, P, LSU; Offensive Lineman - Ryan Seymour, OG, Vanderbilt; Defensive Lineman - Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU; Freshman - A.J. Johnson, LB, Tennessee.
Week 9 (Games of Oct. 29): Offense - Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn; Co-Defense - Jerry Franklin, LB, Arkansas; Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia; Special Teams - Zach Hocker, K, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia; Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Freshman - Brandon Wilds, RB, South Carolina.
Week 10 (Games of Nov. 5): Offense - Jeff Demps, RB, Florida; Defense - Eric Reid, S, LSU; Special Teams - Dennis Johnson, RS/RB, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Ben Jones, C, Georgia; Co-Defensive Lineman - Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas; Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU; Freshman - Maxwell Smith, QB, Kentucky.
Week 11 (Games of Nov. 12): Offense - Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt; Defense - Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama; Special Teams - Joe Adams, WR/RS, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Ben Jones, C, Georgia; Defensive Lineman - Travian Robertson, DT, South Carolina; Freshman - Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia.
Week 12 (Games of Nov. 19): Offense - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas; Co-Defense - Ron Brooks, DB, LSU; Danny Trevathan, LB, Kentucky; Special Teams - Blair Walsh, PK, Georgia; Offensive Lineman - Will Blackwell, OG, LSU; Co-Defensive Lineman - Malik Jackson, DT, Tennessee; Abry Jones, DE, Georgia; Freshman - Curt Maggitt, LB, Tennessee.
Week 13 (Games of Nov. 25-26): Co-Offense - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; Connor Shaw, QB, South Carolina; Defense - Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU; Special Teams - Ryan Tydlacka, P, Kentucky; Co-Offensive Lineman - Kyle Fischer, OT, Vanderbilt; William Vlachos, C, Alabama; Co-Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Garrison Smith, DE, Georgia; Freshman - Kenny Hilliard, RB, LSU.
SEC Championship Game MVP: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
BCS (Yes, the SEC has won six straight)
The SEC released its last set of notes from the 2011 season this week, so we thought we'd take a look at some of the interesting facts and figures from the previous season.
For starters, how about a look at the SEC players of the week?
Week 1 (Games of Sept. 1-3): Offense - Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State; Defense - Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU; Special Teams - Joe Adams, WR/RS, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Rokevious Watkins, OT, South Carolina; Co-Defensive Lineman - Jaye Howard, DT, Florida; Luke McDermott, DT, Kentucky; Co-Freshman - Trey Depriest, LB, Alabama; Tre Mason, RB/RS, Auburn.
Week 2 (Games of Sept. 10): Offense - Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee; Defense - Mark Barron, S, Alabama; Special Teams - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina; Offensive Lineman - Alvin Bailey, OG, Arkansas; Defensive Lineman - Rob Lohr, DT, Vanderbilt; Co-Freshman - Josh Clemons, RB, Kentucky; Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia.
Week 3 (Games of Sept. 15-17): Co-Offense - Chris Rainey, RB, Florida; Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina; Defense -Trey Wilson, DB, Vanderbilt; Special Teams - Caleb Sturgis, PK, Florida; Offensive Lineman - Wesley Johnson, C, Vanderbilt; Defensive Lineman - Bennie Logan, DT, LSU; Freshman- Odell Beckham, WR, LSU.
Week 4 (Games of Sept. 24): Offense - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; Defense -Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina; Special Teams - Brad Wing, P, LSU; Offensive Lineman - Barrett Jones, OT, Alabama; Defensive Lineman - Jaye Howard, DT, Florida; Freshman- Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia.
Week 5 (Games of Oct. 1): Co-Offense - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas; Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas; Defense - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina; Special Teams - Steven Clark, P, Auburn; Offensive Lineman - William Vlachos, C, Alabama; Defensive Lineman - Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU; Freshman - Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia..
Week 6 (Games of Oct. 8): Offense - Connor Shaw, QB, South Carolina; Defense - Mike Gilliard, ILB, Georgia; Special Teams - Blair Walsh, PK, Georgia; Offensive Lineman - Will Blackwell, OG, LSU; Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Freshman - Tevin Mitchel, CB, Arkansas.
Week 7 (Games of Oct. 15): Offense - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; Co-Defense - Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn; D.J. Swearinger, FS, South Carolina; Special Teams - Steven Clark, P, Auburn; Offensive Lineman - Chris Faulk, OT, LSU; Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Co-Freshman - Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina; Ray Drew, OLB, Georgia.
Week 8 (Games of Oct. 22): Offense - Dennis Johnson, RB, Arkansas; Defense - Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama; Special Teams - Brad Wing, P, LSU; Offensive Lineman - Ryan Seymour, OG, Vanderbilt; Defensive Lineman - Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU; Freshman - A.J. Johnson, LB, Tennessee.
Week 9 (Games of Oct. 29): Offense - Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn; Co-Defense - Jerry Franklin, LB, Arkansas; Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia; Special Teams - Zach Hocker, K, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia; Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Freshman - Brandon Wilds, RB, South Carolina.
Week 10 (Games of Nov. 5): Offense - Jeff Demps, RB, Florida; Defense - Eric Reid, S, LSU; Special Teams - Dennis Johnson, RS/RB, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Ben Jones, C, Georgia; Co-Defensive Lineman - Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas; Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU; Freshman - Maxwell Smith, QB, Kentucky.
Week 11 (Games of Nov. 12): Offense - Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt; Defense - Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama; Special Teams - Joe Adams, WR/RS, Arkansas; Offensive Lineman - Ben Jones, C, Georgia; Defensive Lineman - Travian Robertson, DT, South Carolina; Freshman - Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia.
Week 12 (Games of Nov. 19): Offense - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas; Co-Defense - Ron Brooks, DB, LSU; Danny Trevathan, LB, Kentucky; Special Teams - Blair Walsh, PK, Georgia; Offensive Lineman - Will Blackwell, OG, LSU; Co-Defensive Lineman - Malik Jackson, DT, Tennessee; Abry Jones, DE, Georgia; Freshman - Curt Maggitt, LB, Tennessee.
Week 13 (Games of Nov. 25-26): Co-Offense - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; Connor Shaw, QB, South Carolina; Defense - Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU; Special Teams - Ryan Tydlacka, P, Kentucky; Co-Offensive Lineman - Kyle Fischer, OT, Vanderbilt; William Vlachos, C, Alabama; Co-Defensive Lineman - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State; Garrison Smith, DE, Georgia; Freshman - Kenny Hilliard, RB, LSU.
SEC Championship Game MVP: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
BCS (Yes, the SEC has won six straight)
- Since 2006, more than half of the slots in the BCS National Championship Game have been taken by SEC teams (7 of 12). The Big Ten and the Big 12 have two each and the Pac-12 has one.
- An SEC team has led or tied for the lead at the end of 20 of the last 24 quarters of BCS National Championship Game play.
- Since 2006, an SEC team has been ranked first in the weekly BCS standings in 26 of the 48 weeks, with four different teams holding the top spot. Florida was first for seven weeks, Alabama for six weeks, Auburn for three and LSU for 10 weeks, including all eight polls of this season.
- The SEC has had more teams ranked in the BCS standings for the most times than any other conference since 2006. The league has had 11 of its 12 teams ranked at one time or another since 2006 for a total of 238 times. The SEC breakdown: LSU (45), Alabama (35), Florida (33), Auburn (29), Georgia (23), Arkansas (23), South Carolina (21), Tennessee (14), Mississippi State (8), Kentucky (4) and Ole Miss (3).
- Since 2006, the SEC has posted a 9-3 record in BCS bowl games, more wins and a higher winning percentage (.750) than any other conference. The win total equals that of the next two highest conferences.
- Since 2006, the SEC has accrued more bowl wins (36) and appearances (55) than any other conference. The conference’s .655 bowl winning percentage is third behind the Big East (23-10, .697) and Mountain West (20-9, .690) during that time.
- In January bowl games, the SEC is 22-10 (.688) against nonconference competition. Since 2008, the league is 16-6 (.727) against nonconference opponents in January bowls.
- In seven 2011-12 bowl games against nonconference teams, SEC defenses held opponents to less than its scoring average in five of those games. One of the two other games were in overtime (Michigan State-Georgia) and the other was Auburn holding Virginia to 24 points, when the Cavaliers season average was 23.2 points per game.
- Over the last five seasons, Alabama owns the SEC's best winning percentage with a 50-12 record (.806). LSU has the most wins with 53, while Vanderbilt owns the league's lowest winning percentage (.355). LSU owns the best winning percentage over the last 10 years (.795) with a 105-27.
- SEC teams were 20-28 on the road against SEC opponents last season. Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt failed to win on the road against conference opponents.
- LSU led the SEC with a touchdown efficiency on drives of 34.8. Alabama led in scoring efficiency (46.8). Ole Miss was last in scoring efficiency (20.1) and Kentucky was last in touchdown efficiency (13.2).
- LSU led the SEC with 129 fourth-quarter points and a fourth-quarter scoring margin of plus-95. Ole Miss was last with 41 points and a scoring margin of -36.
- Arkansas led the SEC in yards per scoring drive (61.9).
Seven SEC defenders named All-Americans
December, 14, 2011
12/14/11
3:00
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
The Associated Press announced its 2011 All-American team Wednesday and the defense was yanked right out of the SEC's backyard.
Seven SEC defenders were named first-team members of the All-American Team. LSU punter Brad Wing, who somehow wasn't a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, was named the first-team punter.
All four secondary members -- Morris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu, Mark Barron and Bacarri Rambo -- came from the SEC.
Including the second team, the SEC placed 16 players on the AP All-American team.
Here is a complete list of the two AP teams:
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB -- Robert Griffin III, Baylor
RB -- Montee Ball, Wisconsin
RB -- Trent Richardson, Alabama
OT -- Barrett Jones, Alabama
OT -- Matt Kalil, USC
OG -- David DeCastro, Stanford
OG -- Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
C -- David Molk, Michigan
WR -- Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
WR -- Robert Woods, USC
TE -- Dwayne Allen, Clemson
All-purpose -- Sammy Watkins, Clemson
K -- Randy Bullock, Texas A&M
DEFENSE
DE -- Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
DE -- Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
DT -- Devon Still, Penn State
DT -- Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
LB -- Luke Kuechly, Boston College
LB -- Jarvis Jones, Georgia
LB -- Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
CB -- Morris Claiborne, LSU
CB -- Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
S -- Mark Barron, Alabama
S -- Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
P -- Brad Wing, LSU
--------
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB -- Andrew Luck, Stanford
RB -- LaMichael James, Oregon
RB -- David Wilson, Virginia Tech
OT -- Jonathan Martin, Stanford
OT -- Nate Potter, Boise State
G --Will Blackwell, LSU
G -- Austin Pazstor, Virginia
C -- Peter Konz, Wisconsin
WR -- Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
WR -- Kendall Wright, Baylor
TE -- Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
All-purpose -- Joe Adams, Arkansas
K -- Caleb Sturgis, Florida
DEFENSE
DE -- Frank Alexander, Oklahoma
DE -- Vinny Curry, Marshall
DT -- Joe Vellano, Maryland
DT -- Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati
LB -- Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
LB -- Lavonte David, Nebraska
LB -- Manti Teo, Notre Dame
CB -- David Amerson, North Carolina State
CB -- Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
S -- Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State
S -- Antonio Allen, South Carolina
P -- Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech
Seven SEC defenders were named first-team members of the All-American Team. LSU punter Brad Wing, who somehow wasn't a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, was named the first-team punter.
All four secondary members -- Morris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu, Mark Barron and Bacarri Rambo -- came from the SEC.
Including the second team, the SEC placed 16 players on the AP All-American team.
Here is a complete list of the two AP teams:
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB -- Robert Griffin III, Baylor
RB -- Montee Ball, Wisconsin
RB -- Trent Richardson, Alabama
OT -- Barrett Jones, Alabama
OT -- Matt Kalil, USC
OG -- David DeCastro, Stanford
OG -- Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
C -- David Molk, Michigan
WR -- Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
WR -- Robert Woods, USC
TE -- Dwayne Allen, Clemson
All-purpose -- Sammy Watkins, Clemson
K -- Randy Bullock, Texas A&M
DEFENSE
DE -- Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
DE -- Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
DT -- Devon Still, Penn State
DT -- Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
LB -- Luke Kuechly, Boston College
LB -- Jarvis Jones, Georgia
LB -- Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
CB -- Morris Claiborne, LSU
CB -- Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
S -- Mark Barron, Alabama
S -- Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
P -- Brad Wing, LSU
--------
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB -- Andrew Luck, Stanford
RB -- LaMichael James, Oregon
RB -- David Wilson, Virginia Tech
OT -- Jonathan Martin, Stanford
OT -- Nate Potter, Boise State
G --Will Blackwell, LSU
G -- Austin Pazstor, Virginia
C -- Peter Konz, Wisconsin
WR -- Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
WR -- Kendall Wright, Baylor
TE -- Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
All-purpose -- Joe Adams, Arkansas
K -- Caleb Sturgis, Florida
DEFENSE
DE -- Frank Alexander, Oklahoma
DE -- Vinny Curry, Marshall
DT -- Joe Vellano, Maryland
DT -- Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati
LB -- Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
LB -- Lavonte David, Nebraska
LB -- Manti Teo, Notre Dame
CB -- David Amerson, North Carolina State
CB -- Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
S -- Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State
S -- Antonio Allen, South Carolina
P -- Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech
The SEC was well-represented on the ESPN.com 2011 All-America team with 12 of the 25 players. Plus, LSU's Les Miles was selected as the Coach of the Year.
Here's a quick look:
OT: Barrett Jones, Alabama -- Jones has been one of the most talented and versatile offensive linemen in college football. After starting 25 games at right guard coming into the 2011 season, Jones played every other position on the line but right guard for the Crimson Tide this fall, but he really made his home at left tackle. Jones moved there at the beginning of the season and played lights out, starting nine games while having to pull multiple duties along the line. He won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman last week.
OG: Will Blackwell, LSU -- Blackwell was a highly rated defensive lineman coming out of high school, which probably explains his athleticism and versatility for the Tigers on their offensive line. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound senior started the season at right guard and finished it at left guard, as the No. 1 Tigers steamrolled their way to an SEC-leading 220.4 rushing yards per game against league competition.
C: Ben Jones, Georgia -- Jones has already been named to Georgia's "Team of the Decade" for 2001-2010. He has started 48 games during his UGA career and has been the anchor of the Bulldogs' rebuilt offensive line. His dominant play helped the Bulldogs recover from a 0-2 start to win 10 consecutive games to claim an SEC East title. Jones was twice named SEC offensive lineman of the week.
RB: Trent Richardson, Alabama -- Richardson has run for 1,583 yards with 20 rushing touchdowns, an Alabama single-season record. He is also highly dependable, fumbling only once in 614 career touches and averaging 142 rushing yards in five games against foes ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
DE: Melvin Ingram, South Carolina -- What didn't Ingram do for the Gamecocks this season? Ingram, a senior from Hamlet, N.C., had 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and two interceptions. He was the most dominant player on South Carolina's defense, which ranked No. 4 nationally in total defense, allowing only 268.9 yards per game.
LB: Jarvis Jones, Georgia -- Because of transfer rules, Jones had to sit out all of the 2010 season, but he certainly didn't come out slow during his first year back in college football. Jones went on a tear against opposing backfields, leading the SEC with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. Jones grabbed 16 of those tackles for loss in SEC play.
LB: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama -- Upshaw entered the 2011 season as one of the most feared linebackers in the SEC and he ended the season with the same moniker. Upshaw made his home in the backfields of opposing teams, registering 17 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hurries. SEC opponents got it the worst when Upshaw was on the field, as 12.5 of his tackles for loss came in league games.
CB: Morris Claiborne, LSU -- Opponents were reluctant to throw to Claiborne's side of the field this season. A junior from Shreveport, La., Claiborne leads the Tigers with six interceptions, and he has 46 tackles and six pass breakups. He was named the winner of the Thorpe Award last week as the country's top defensive back.
CB: Tyrann Mathieu, LSU -- What more can you say about the Honey Badger? He nearly took everything he wanted this season, and there might not have been a more exciting player to watch in the nation. Mathieu had an uncanny ability to find the ball, no matter where he was on defense, intercepting two passes, forcing six fumbles and recovering five more. Two of those recoveries went for scores, and he led LSU with 70 tackles.
S: Mark Barron, Alabama -- The 6-foot-2, 218-pound senior solidified an already talented Alabama secondary. He was second on the team with 66 total tackles, and intercepted two passes. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will tell you that Barron was his quarterback on the field and one of those guys always in position to make a key stop or break up a key pass.
PK: Caleb Sturgis, Florida -- He was Mr. Automatic for the Gators and displayed uncanny range. Coach Will Muschamp said he had supreme confidence in Sturgis any time the Gators moved inside the 38-yard line, and with good reason. Sturgis was 21-of-25 on field goal attempts this season, and he booted a pair of 55-yarders. Three of his four misses were from 49 yards or longer, and he was a perfect 28-of-28 on extra points.
KR: Joe Adams, Arkansas -- Adams entered the season as one of Arkansas' most decorated receivers, but he really made a name for himself nationally with his punt-returning skills. Adams led the country with three punt returns for touchdowns and an average of 16.19 yards per punt return. Adams had arguably the play of the year on one of his returns when he shed seven Tennessee tackles, traveling around 10 yards backward, before sprinting another 60 yards for a touchdown.
Here's a quick look:
OT: Barrett Jones, Alabama -- Jones has been one of the most talented and versatile offensive linemen in college football. After starting 25 games at right guard coming into the 2011 season, Jones played every other position on the line but right guard for the Crimson Tide this fall, but he really made his home at left tackle. Jones moved there at the beginning of the season and played lights out, starting nine games while having to pull multiple duties along the line. He won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman last week.
OG: Will Blackwell, LSU -- Blackwell was a highly rated defensive lineman coming out of high school, which probably explains his athleticism and versatility for the Tigers on their offensive line. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound senior started the season at right guard and finished it at left guard, as the No. 1 Tigers steamrolled their way to an SEC-leading 220.4 rushing yards per game against league competition.
C: Ben Jones, Georgia -- Jones has already been named to Georgia's "Team of the Decade" for 2001-2010. He has started 48 games during his UGA career and has been the anchor of the Bulldogs' rebuilt offensive line. His dominant play helped the Bulldogs recover from a 0-2 start to win 10 consecutive games to claim an SEC East title. Jones was twice named SEC offensive lineman of the week.
RB: Trent Richardson, Alabama -- Richardson has run for 1,583 yards with 20 rushing touchdowns, an Alabama single-season record. He is also highly dependable, fumbling only once in 614 career touches and averaging 142 rushing yards in five games against foes ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
DE: Melvin Ingram, South Carolina -- What didn't Ingram do for the Gamecocks this season? Ingram, a senior from Hamlet, N.C., had 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and two interceptions. He was the most dominant player on South Carolina's defense, which ranked No. 4 nationally in total defense, allowing only 268.9 yards per game.
LB: Jarvis Jones, Georgia -- Because of transfer rules, Jones had to sit out all of the 2010 season, but he certainly didn't come out slow during his first year back in college football. Jones went on a tear against opposing backfields, leading the SEC with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. Jones grabbed 16 of those tackles for loss in SEC play.
LB: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama -- Upshaw entered the 2011 season as one of the most feared linebackers in the SEC and he ended the season with the same moniker. Upshaw made his home in the backfields of opposing teams, registering 17 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hurries. SEC opponents got it the worst when Upshaw was on the field, as 12.5 of his tackles for loss came in league games.
CB: Morris Claiborne, LSU -- Opponents were reluctant to throw to Claiborne's side of the field this season. A junior from Shreveport, La., Claiborne leads the Tigers with six interceptions, and he has 46 tackles and six pass breakups. He was named the winner of the Thorpe Award last week as the country's top defensive back.
CB: Tyrann Mathieu, LSU -- What more can you say about the Honey Badger? He nearly took everything he wanted this season, and there might not have been a more exciting player to watch in the nation. Mathieu had an uncanny ability to find the ball, no matter where he was on defense, intercepting two passes, forcing six fumbles and recovering five more. Two of those recoveries went for scores, and he led LSU with 70 tackles.
S: Mark Barron, Alabama -- The 6-foot-2, 218-pound senior solidified an already talented Alabama secondary. He was second on the team with 66 total tackles, and intercepted two passes. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will tell you that Barron was his quarterback on the field and one of those guys always in position to make a key stop or break up a key pass.
PK: Caleb Sturgis, Florida -- He was Mr. Automatic for the Gators and displayed uncanny range. Coach Will Muschamp said he had supreme confidence in Sturgis any time the Gators moved inside the 38-yard line, and with good reason. Sturgis was 21-of-25 on field goal attempts this season, and he booted a pair of 55-yarders. Three of his four misses were from 49 yards or longer, and he was a perfect 28-of-28 on extra points.
KR: Joe Adams, Arkansas -- Adams entered the season as one of Arkansas' most decorated receivers, but he really made a name for himself nationally with his punt-returning skills. Adams led the country with three punt returns for touchdowns and an average of 16.19 yards per punt return. Adams had arguably the play of the year on one of his returns when he shed seven Tennessee tackles, traveling around 10 yards backward, before sprinting another 60 yards for a touchdown.
Alabama has four on Walter Camp team
December, 9, 2011
12/09/11
11:00
AM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Alabama led the nation by placing four players on the 2011 Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America team.
Running back Trent Richardson, left tackle Barrett Jones, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and safety Mark Barron were all first-team selections.
LSU cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne were also first-team selections.
The SEC had eight players make Walter Camp first team. Here they are:
OFFENSE
The SEC also had seven players on the second team:
OFFENSE
Running back Trent Richardson, left tackle Barrett Jones, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and safety Mark Barron were all first-team selections.
LSU cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne were also first-team selections.
The SEC had eight players make Walter Camp first team. Here they are:
OFFENSE
- RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
- OL Barrett Jones, Alabama
- DL Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
- LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama
- LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia
- DB Morris Claiborne, LSU
- DB Mark Barron, Alabama
- DB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
The SEC also had seven players on the second team:
OFFENSE
- TE Orson Charles, Georgia
- C William Vlachos, Alabama
- LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
- DB Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
- DB Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt Sr. Elko, GA 6-0 188
- PK Caleb Sturgis, Florida
- KR Joe Adams, Arkansas
ESPN.com's 2011 All-SEC team
December, 9, 2011
12/09/11
10:30
AM ET
By
Edward Aschoff and
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Editor’s Note: Tune into the “AT&T ESPN All America Team Show” on Saturday (ABC, 1:30 p.m. ET) to see who ESPN’s writers and experts selected.
Constructing an all-conference team is never easy. There are always players you second-guess or just remember at the last minute.
The tough decisions have to be made and that means not everyone can make the team.
We just don't have enough room for hundreds of players.
We struggled with a couple of decisions, starting with the quarterback position. We gave the nod to Aaron Murray over Tyler Wilson. We understand that Wilson led the SEC in yards (3,422), but Murray did more with less. Wilson was working with four top-tier wide receivers, while Murray simply wasn't. He still led the SEC with 33 touchdown passes, threw 19 them in the last six games and led Georgia back to the SEC title game.
It was also hard to leave Zac Stacy off this list. Michael Dyer was Auburn's most valuable player, and that 7-5 record might not have been possible without him. He was second in the SEC in rushing (1,242) and was the only back besides Trent Richardson to average more than 100 yards in SEC games. But Stacy was great, too. He averaged a yard more per carry (5.7) than Dyer in SEC play, had more total touchdowns (13) and averaged 126 yards in each of his last six games.
We also decided to go with a 3-4 defense because we felt linebackers deserved a little more love this year.
Here's our team:
OFFENSE
TE - Orson Charles, Georgia
OL - Barrett Jones, Alabama
OL - Will Blackwell, LSU
OL - Cordy Glenn, Georgia
OL - Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina
C - William Vlachos, Alabama
WR - Jarius Wright, Arkansas
WR - Rueben Randle, LSU
QB – Aaron Murray, Georgia
RB – Trent Richardson, Alabama
RB – Michael Dyer, Auburn
AP - Chris Rainey, Florida
DEFENSE
DL - Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
DL - Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
DL - Sam Montgomery, LSU
LB - Jarvis Jones, Georgia
LB - Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
LB - Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
LB - Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
DB - Morris Claiborne, LSU
DB - Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
DB - Mark Barron, Alabama
DB - Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK - Caleb Sturgis, Florida
P - Brad Wing, LSU
RS – Joe Adams, Arkansas
Constructing an all-conference team is never easy. There are always players you second-guess or just remember at the last minute.
The tough decisions have to be made and that means not everyone can make the team.
We just don't have enough room for hundreds of players.
We struggled with a couple of decisions, starting with the quarterback position. We gave the nod to Aaron Murray over Tyler Wilson. We understand that Wilson led the SEC in yards (3,422), but Murray did more with less. Wilson was working with four top-tier wide receivers, while Murray simply wasn't. He still led the SEC with 33 touchdown passes, threw 19 them in the last six games and led Georgia back to the SEC title game.
It was also hard to leave Zac Stacy off this list. Michael Dyer was Auburn's most valuable player, and that 7-5 record might not have been possible without him. He was second in the SEC in rushing (1,242) and was the only back besides Trent Richardson to average more than 100 yards in SEC games. But Stacy was great, too. He averaged a yard more per carry (5.7) than Dyer in SEC play, had more total touchdowns (13) and averaged 126 yards in each of his last six games.
We also decided to go with a 3-4 defense because we felt linebackers deserved a little more love this year.
Here's our team:
OFFENSE
TE - Orson Charles, Georgia
OL - Barrett Jones, Alabama
OL - Will Blackwell, LSU
OL - Cordy Glenn, Georgia
OL - Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina
C - William Vlachos, Alabama
WR - Jarius Wright, Arkansas
WR - Rueben Randle, LSU
QB – Aaron Murray, Georgia
RB – Trent Richardson, Alabama
RB – Michael Dyer, Auburn
AP - Chris Rainey, Florida
DEFENSE
DL - Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
DL - Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
DL - Sam Montgomery, LSU
LB - Jarvis Jones, Georgia
LB - Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
LB - Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
LB - Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
DB - Morris Claiborne, LSU
DB - Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
DB - Mark Barron, Alabama
DB - Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK - Caleb Sturgis, Florida
P - Brad Wing, LSU
RS – Joe Adams, Arkansas
Looking at SEC finalists for awards
December, 8, 2011
12/08/11
3:50
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
The SEC has eight players up for awards at "The Home Depot College Football Awards Show." The show will air tonight on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET.
Seven awards. Eight finalists. Who will bring some hardware back to the SEC?
Let's take a look at the finalists:
Maxwell Award (Best All-Around Player)
Maxwell Football Club Defensive Player of the Year (Chuck Bednarik Trophy)
Case for Mathieu: When the Honey Badger wasn't twirling defenders around on punt returns, he was hunting footballs. Somehow, Mathieu had the ability to find the ball whenever -- and wherever -- he was on the field. Mathieu played with an almost elegant reckless abandon. He forced six fumbles, recovered five fumbles, intercepted two passes and led LSU with 70 tackles.
Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)
Case for Claiborne: Mathieu gets a lot more publicity, but Claiborne might be the nation's top cover corner. Equipped with a pair of extremely fast feet and a beautiful football mind, Claiborne completely took away his side of the field. Still quarterbacks dared throwing his way. So, Claiborne intercepted six passes and defended 12.
Doak Walker Award (best running back)
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
Ray Guy Award (best punter)
Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)
Seven awards. Eight finalists. Who will bring some hardware back to the SEC?
Let's take a look at the finalists:
Maxwell Award (Best All-Around Player)
- Andrew Luck, Stanford
- Kellen Moore, Boise St.
- Trent Richardson, Alabama
Maxwell Football Club Defensive Player of the Year (Chuck Bednarik Trophy)
- Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
- Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
- Devon Still, Penn St.
Case for Mathieu: When the Honey Badger wasn't twirling defenders around on punt returns, he was hunting footballs. Somehow, Mathieu had the ability to find the ball whenever -- and wherever -- he was on the field. Mathieu played with an almost elegant reckless abandon. He forced six fumbles, recovered five fumbles, intercepted two passes and led LSU with 70 tackles.
Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)
- David Amerson, NC State
- Mark Barron, Alabama
- Morris Claiborne, LSU
Case for Claiborne: Mathieu gets a lot more publicity, but Claiborne might be the nation's top cover corner. Equipped with a pair of extremely fast feet and a beautiful football mind, Claiborne completely took away his side of the field. Still quarterbacks dared throwing his way. So, Claiborne intercepted six passes and defended 12.
Doak Walker Award (best running back)
- Montee Ball, Wisconsin
- LaMichael James, Oregon
- Trent Richardson, Alabama
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
- Randy Bullock, Texas A&M
- Dustin Hopkins, Florida St.
- Caleb Sturgis, Florida
Ray Guy Award (best punter)
- Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech
- Steven Clark, Auburn
- Jackson Rice, Oregon
Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)
- David DeCastro, Stanford
- Barrett Jones, Alabama
- Devon Still, Penn State
Richardson named All-SEC Offensive POY
December, 5, 2011
12/05/11
4:00
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Alabama running back Trent Richardson was named the 2011 Associated Press All-SEC Offensive Player of the Year Monday.
The junior was the heart of Alabama's offense and led the conference with 1,583 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had 27 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns.
In SEC play, Richardson averaged 137 rushing yards a game and had 10rushing touchdowns. He also averaged 6 yards per carry against SEC defenses.
In 12 games, Richardson eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark nine times and had five games with more than 160 yards, including a 203-yard performance against Auburn in the season finale.
Here some other honors for SEC players:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
COACH OF THE YEAR
Les Miles, LSU
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
RB Isaiah Crowell, Georgia
Here's a look at the AP's All-SEC First Team:
FIRST TEAM
Offense
WR Jarius Wright, Arkansas, 5-10, 180, Sr.
WR Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee, 6-3, 215, So.
OL *Barrett Jones, Alabama, 6-5, 311, Jr.
OL Will Blackwell, LSU, 6-4, 290, Sr.
OL Cordy Glenn, Georgia, 6-5, 348, Sr.
OL Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina, 6-4, 340, Sr.
C William Vlachos, Alabama, 6-1, 294, Sr.
TE Orson Charles, Georgia, 6-3, 241, Jr.
QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, 6-3, 220, Jr.
RB *Trent Richardson, Alabama, 5-11, 224, Jr.
RB Michael Dyer, Auburn, 5-9, 210, So.
K Caleb Sturgis, Florida, 5-11, 183, Jr.
All-Purpose Joe Adams, Arkansas, 5-11, 190, Sr.
Defense
DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 6-4, 295, Jr.
DT Malik Jackson, Tennessee, 6-5, 270, Sr.
DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 6-2, 276, Sr.
DE Sam Montgomery, LSU, 6-4, 245, So.
LB *Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 6-3, 241, So.
LB Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, 6-1, 232, Sr.
LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 6-2, 265, Sr.
CB *Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, 5-9, 175, So.
CB Morris Claiborne, LSU, 6-0, 185, Jr.
S Mark Barron, Alabama, 6-2, 218, Sr.
S Bacarri Rambo, Georgia, 6-0, 218, Jr.
P Brad Wing, LSU, 6-3, 184, Fr.
* -- Unanimous selection
You can check out the second team selections and the honorable mentions here.
The junior was the heart of Alabama's offense and led the conference with 1,583 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had 27 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns.
In SEC play, Richardson averaged 137 rushing yards a game and had 10rushing touchdowns. He also averaged 6 yards per carry against SEC defenses.
In 12 games, Richardson eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark nine times and had five games with more than 160 yards, including a 203-yard performance against Auburn in the season finale.
Here some other honors for SEC players:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
COACH OF THE YEAR
Les Miles, LSU
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
RB Isaiah Crowell, Georgia
Here's a look at the AP's All-SEC First Team:
FIRST TEAM
Offense
WR Jarius Wright, Arkansas, 5-10, 180, Sr.
WR Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee, 6-3, 215, So.
OL *Barrett Jones, Alabama, 6-5, 311, Jr.
OL Will Blackwell, LSU, 6-4, 290, Sr.
OL Cordy Glenn, Georgia, 6-5, 348, Sr.
OL Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina, 6-4, 340, Sr.
C William Vlachos, Alabama, 6-1, 294, Sr.
TE Orson Charles, Georgia, 6-3, 241, Jr.
QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, 6-3, 220, Jr.
RB *Trent Richardson, Alabama, 5-11, 224, Jr.
RB Michael Dyer, Auburn, 5-9, 210, So.
K Caleb Sturgis, Florida, 5-11, 183, Jr.
All-Purpose Joe Adams, Arkansas, 5-11, 190, Sr.
Defense
DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 6-4, 295, Jr.
DT Malik Jackson, Tennessee, 6-5, 270, Sr.
DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 6-2, 276, Sr.
DE Sam Montgomery, LSU, 6-4, 245, So.
LB *Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 6-3, 241, So.
LB Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, 6-1, 232, Sr.
LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 6-2, 265, Sr.
CB *Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, 5-9, 175, So.
CB Morris Claiborne, LSU, 6-0, 185, Jr.
S Mark Barron, Alabama, 6-2, 218, Sr.
S Bacarri Rambo, Georgia, 6-0, 218, Jr.
P Brad Wing, LSU, 6-3, 184, Fr.
* -- Unanimous selection
You can check out the second team selections and the honorable mentions here.
Poll: The SEC's best special teams player
November, 30, 2011
11/30/11
4:25
PM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
The kicking game was the difference when LSU defeated Alabama 9-6 in overtime back on Nov. 5.
Even though we're all guilty at times of taking special teams for granted, they often times are the difference in big games.
So as we enter Saturday's SEC championship game and the bowl games after, we want your input on who's the best special teams player in the league.
Vote in our SportsNation poll, and we'll take a look at the results in the next few days.
We could have easily thrown 10 possible choices out there, but we're limited to five.
Florida's Caleb Sturgis is a finalist for the Lou Groza Award as the top place kicker in the country.
Auburn's Steven Clark is a finalist for the Ray Guy Award as the top punter in the country, while LSU punter Brad Wing has also been exceptional this season at pinning teams deep. His best game came in the win over Alabama.
Alabama's Marquis Maze leads the SEC in kickoff return average, and he's third in punt return average. His 83-yard punt return for a touchdown broke open the Arkansas game.
Arkansas' Joe Adams has returned three punts for touchdowns this season and leads the SEC with a 16.2-yard average.
Now, it's your job to select which of these five players has stood above all the rest this season in what's commonly referred to as the third phase of the game.
Even though we're all guilty at times of taking special teams for granted, they often times are the difference in big games.
So as we enter Saturday's SEC championship game and the bowl games after, we want your input on who's the best special teams player in the league.
We could have easily thrown 10 possible choices out there, but we're limited to five.
Florida's Caleb Sturgis is a finalist for the Lou Groza Award as the top place kicker in the country.
Auburn's Steven Clark is a finalist for the Ray Guy Award as the top punter in the country, while LSU punter Brad Wing has also been exceptional this season at pinning teams deep. His best game came in the win over Alabama.
Alabama's Marquis Maze leads the SEC in kickoff return average, and he's third in punt return average. His 83-yard punt return for a touchdown broke open the Arkansas game.
Arkansas' Joe Adams has returned three punts for touchdowns this season and leads the SEC with a 16.2-yard average.
Now, it's your job to select which of these five players has stood above all the rest this season in what's commonly referred to as the third phase of the game.
How they fared against SEC competition
November, 30, 2011
11/30/11
11:39
AM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
It’s always telling to take a look after the regular season at what players did against SEC competition.
After all, that’s where you earn your respect in this league.
To nobody’s surprise, Alabama’s Trent Richardson was the leading rusher in SEC games. He averaged 136.6 yards in eight games and also leads the league with 12 touchdowns.
The second guy on that list was Auburn’s Michael Dyer, who averaged 101.1 yards per game. Richardson and Dyer were the only two players to average 100 rushing yards against SEC competition.
Don’t sleep on Vanderbilt’s Zac Stacy, either. He averaged 82.6 yards per game and also averaged 5.7 yards per carry against SEC defenses. Stacy’s seven touchdowns are second only to Richardson.
Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson passed for the most yards against SEC defenses (2,090), but Georgia’s Aaron Murray threw the most touchdown passes (18). LSU’s Jarrett Lee was No. 1 in pass efficiency, and Alabama’s AJ McCarron was No. 2.
In the receiving department, Arkansas' Jarius Wright led the way with 39 catches. Alabama’s Marquis Maze was second with 38. Wright’s six touchdown catches were also more than anybody else against SEC defenses. LSU’s Rueben Randle and South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery each had five touchdown catches.
Randle had the most receiving yards (629), and he averaged 19.1 yards per catch against SEC defenses. That wasn’t the highest in the league among the leaders, though. Georgia freshman Malcolm Mitchell averaged 19.2 yards per catch in six games. Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews was third with an average of 18.6 yards per catch, and he also tied for third in receiving yards (577).
Defensively, Kentucky linebacker Danny Trevathan led the way with 100 total tackles. Mississippi State linebacker Cameron Lawrence was second with 88. Trevathan also had the most solo stops with 48. Florida linebacker Jonathan Bostic was second with 43 solo stops.
Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones had 12.5 of his 13.5 sacks in SEC games. The next closest was Auburn defensive end Corey Lemonier with 8.5 sacks.
Jones also had 16 of his 19.5 tackles for loss in SEC games, further underscoring what kind of regular season he had for the Bulldogs. Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw and Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox both had 12.5 tackles for loss against SEC competition.
LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Georgia safety Bacarri Rambo each had five interceptions in SEC games. Arkansas safety Tramain Thomas had four.
South Carolina freshman defensive end Jadeveon Clowney forced five fumbles in eight SEC games to tie for top honors in that department with Lemonier.
Arkansas’ Dylan Breeding was the top punter in SEC games with an average of 45.1 yards. Auburn’s Steven Clark had 24 punts downed inside the 20.
LSU’s Drew Alleman was a perfect 14-for-14 on field goals in SEC games with a long of 42 yards. Florida’s Caleb Sturgis was 14-of-16 with a long of 55 yards.
After all, that’s where you earn your respect in this league.
To nobody’s surprise, Alabama’s Trent Richardson was the leading rusher in SEC games. He averaged 136.6 yards in eight games and also leads the league with 12 touchdowns.
The second guy on that list was Auburn’s Michael Dyer, who averaged 101.1 yards per game. Richardson and Dyer were the only two players to average 100 rushing yards against SEC competition.
Don’t sleep on Vanderbilt’s Zac Stacy, either. He averaged 82.6 yards per game and also averaged 5.7 yards per carry against SEC defenses. Stacy’s seven touchdowns are second only to Richardson.
Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson passed for the most yards against SEC defenses (2,090), but Georgia’s Aaron Murray threw the most touchdown passes (18). LSU’s Jarrett Lee was No. 1 in pass efficiency, and Alabama’s AJ McCarron was No. 2.
In the receiving department, Arkansas' Jarius Wright led the way with 39 catches. Alabama’s Marquis Maze was second with 38. Wright’s six touchdown catches were also more than anybody else against SEC defenses. LSU’s Rueben Randle and South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery each had five touchdown catches.
Randle had the most receiving yards (629), and he averaged 19.1 yards per catch against SEC defenses. That wasn’t the highest in the league among the leaders, though. Georgia freshman Malcolm Mitchell averaged 19.2 yards per catch in six games. Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews was third with an average of 18.6 yards per catch, and he also tied for third in receiving yards (577).
Defensively, Kentucky linebacker Danny Trevathan led the way with 100 total tackles. Mississippi State linebacker Cameron Lawrence was second with 88. Trevathan also had the most solo stops with 48. Florida linebacker Jonathan Bostic was second with 43 solo stops.
Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones had 12.5 of his 13.5 sacks in SEC games. The next closest was Auburn defensive end Corey Lemonier with 8.5 sacks.
Jones also had 16 of his 19.5 tackles for loss in SEC games, further underscoring what kind of regular season he had for the Bulldogs. Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw and Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox both had 12.5 tackles for loss against SEC competition.
LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Georgia safety Bacarri Rambo each had five interceptions in SEC games. Arkansas safety Tramain Thomas had four.
South Carolina freshman defensive end Jadeveon Clowney forced five fumbles in eight SEC games to tie for top honors in that department with Lemonier.
Arkansas’ Dylan Breeding was the top punter in SEC games with an average of 45.1 yards. Auburn’s Steven Clark had 24 punts downed inside the 20.
LSU’s Drew Alleman was a perfect 14-for-14 on field goals in SEC games with a long of 42 yards. Florida’s Caleb Sturgis was 14-of-16 with a long of 55 yards.
SEC love in college football awards
November, 21, 2011
11/21/11
6:05
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
The ballots are in and the finalists have been named for this year's awards in college football.
The winners will be announced during “The Home Depot College Football Awards Show” on Dec. 8 at 9pm ET on ESPN.
SEC players are up for seven major awards this year, including Alabama running back Trent Richardson, who is a semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the nation's best all-around player.
Richardson, who is also a candidate for the Doak Walker Award (best running back), leads the SEC with 1,380 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Against SEC opponents, Richardson is averaging 127.1 yards a game.
Alabama also led the country with four finalists.
Here are the other players up for awards:
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
The winners will be announced during “The Home Depot College Football Awards Show” on Dec. 8 at 9pm ET on ESPN.
SEC players are up for seven major awards this year, including Alabama running back Trent Richardson, who is a semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the nation's best all-around player.
Richardson, who is also a candidate for the Doak Walker Award (best running back), leads the SEC with 1,380 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Against SEC opponents, Richardson is averaging 127.1 yards a game.
Alabama also led the country with four finalists.
Here are the other players up for awards:
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
- Randy Bullock, Texas A&M
- Dustin Hopkins, Florida St.
- Caleb Sturgis, Florida
- Andrew Luck, Stanford
- Kellen Moore, Boise St.
- Trent Richardson, Alabama
- Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
- Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
- Devon Still, Penn St.
- David DeCastro, Stanford
- Barrett Jones, Alabama
- Devon Still, Penn St.
- David Amerson, NC State
- Mark Barron, Alabama
- Morris Claiborne, LSU
- Montee Ball, Wisconsin
- LaMichael James , Oregon
- Trent Richardson, Alabama
- Ryan Allen, LA Tech
- Steven Clark, Auburn
- Jackson Rice, Oregon
Here are some notes the SEC gave us that you might not know about as you enter Week 11:
- Alabama has not allowed an opponent to score more than 14 points during the first nine games of the 2011 season and 10 straight games dating back to the 2011 Capital One Bowl against Michigan State. The Crimson Tide defense leads the nation in scoring defense (7.1 ppg), total defense (187.0 ypg), rushing defense (56.3 ypg), pass efficiency defense (83.1 rating) and pass defense (130.7 ypg). The last time Alabama held its opponent to 14 points or less for at least 10 straight games was 1975-76 when the Tide did it in 14 straight games. The school record for consecutive games holding an opponent to 14 points or less is 31 from 1960-63. No other team in the nation has allowed an opponent to score no more than 14 points in every game this season.
- Arkansas has 16 touchdown drives of less than two minutes in 2011, bringing the total under coach Bobby Petrino to 78. Last season, Arkansas had 26 touchdown drives of less than two minutes. The Razorbacks have scored 11 touchdowns of more than 50 yards in 2011 and have scored at least one in all eight of their victories. Alabama and Arkansas are tied for the SEC lead with seven plays from scrimmage 50-yards-or-longer.
- Auburn junior running back Onterio McCalebb is tied for first among SEC running backs and is tied for 22nd nationally with 23 receptions. He is tied for 16th in the SEC in catches for all players. He has caught at least one pass in 12 straight games dating to Nov. 26 against Alabama in 2010. For his career, McCalebb is ninth in school history for receiving yards by a running back with 388. He is second on the team in receptions with 23. The last back to lead Auburn in receptions was Tucker Frederickson in 1964 with 14.
- Florida is one of three SEC teams -- Mississippi State and South Carolina the others -- who are tied for fourth nationally with only one play allowed on defense for more than 50 yards this season. Michigan, South Florida and Utah have not allowed a play of more than 50 yards this season. The longest play from scrimmage allowed by Florida this season was a 57-yard pass by LSU’s Jarrett Lee to Rueben Randle.
- At seven wins in a row, Georgia has matched its longest winning streak during a season in the Mark Richt era. During this streak, Georgia has outscored the opposition, 250-99. The Bulldogs have held their opponents to just eight offensive touchdowns in the past seven games. A win against Auburn would give the Bulldogs six straight SEC wins for the first time since 1982. In the Vince Dooley era, Georgia had a stretch of 23 consecutive SEC wins from 1980-83.
- Kentucky seniors Danny Trevathan and Winston Guy are the SEC’s top two tacklers. Trevathan has charted a career-high-tying 17 tackles in each of the past two games and is now the league’s top tackler with 111 this season. Guy trails Trevathan with 93. The duo rank fifth and tied for 16th, respectively, in the nation with 12.3 and 10.3 tackles per game. Trevathan and Guy are one of three teammate duos that are ranked nationally in tackles in the top 20 (Wisconsin’s Chris Borland and Mike Taylor; Ball State’s Travis Freeman and Aaron Morris).
- LSU goes into its Western Kentucky game this weekend with a 19-3 record in games played as the nation’s top-ranked team. LSU was 5-0 as the No. 1-ranked team in 1958, followed by a 7-1 record at the top spot in 1959. LSU was 2-2 as the No. 1-ranked team in 2007 and it is 5-0 this year. LSU is 7-2 under Les Miles in games as the nation’s top-ranked team. With a 9-0 mark this season, LSU is off to its best start since 1973 when the Tigers won their first nine. LSU is 9-0 for just the fourth time in school history. In addition to 1973 and this year, LSU’s other 9-0 starts came in 1958 when the Tigers won all 11 games, and in 1908 when they were 10-0.
- Ole Miss has excelled on special teams this season. The Rebels lead or are tied for the SEC lead in punt returns (25.11 ypr) and field goal percentage (100.00). Ole Miss is second in kickoff coverage (46.9 net average) and third in punting (43.91 ypp) and net punting (39.24 net). Tyler Campbell is third in the SEC and tied for 9th in the nation in punting (43.91 ypp) and Bryson Rose is tied for first nationally, hitting on all seven field goal attempts this season.
- Mississippi State’s defense has given up 17 touchdowns in nine games this season, which is tied for sixth nationally and third in the SEC. The Bulldogs have given up eight touchdowns on the ground and nine through the air. Alabama (six) and LSU (10) are first and second in least touchdowns allowed nationally this year. Also on defense, the Bulldogs are tied for 26th nationally and tied for fifth in the SEC with 11 passes intercepted.
- South Carolina has an SEC-leading 17 interceptions this season, including 13 over the past five games. Two have gone for “pick-sixes” with one from Antonio Allen against Georgia and one from Devin Taylor at Arkansas. The school record for interceptions in a season is 23, set three times: 1981, 1984 and 1987. The Gamecocks have matched their best season under Steve Spurrier with 27 turnovers forced through nine games. The previous mark of 27 under Spurrier was set during the 2008 season. The school record for turnovers forced in a season is 39, set in the 12-game 1987 campaign.
- Tennessee’s 2011 schedule ranks as the toughest in the nation in 2011, according to the NCAA’s toughest schedule rankings based on cumulative opposition. The combined records of UT’s 2011 opponents are 65-32 (49-21 past/16-11 future), which is 67.0 percent. LSU and Oklahoma are tied for second at 66.3 percent (65-33 overall) and Iowa State fourth at 66.0 percent (64-33). Kansas and Auburn are tied for fifth at 65.6 percent (63-33 overall).
- The Vanderbilt defense has limited seven of its eight FBS foes to less rushing yards than they average. Last week, Florida became the first FBS Vandy opponent to top its season rushing yardage when it totaled 197 yards on the ground. The unit has held four teams -- Elon, UConn, Ole Miss and Arkansas -- under 100 rushing yards. The unit limited its first seven FBS opponents to an average of nearly 80 yards below their game averages.
- This marks the seventh week this seaosn that the SEC has had at least six teams ranked in the AP poll. The SEC has had six teams ranked in the AP poll at least one week every year since 2003. Since 1992, the SEC has had at least five teams ranked in the AP Top 25 a total of 234 times, an average of 11.7 times per season.
- Going into Saturday’s LSU-Alabama game, the teams combined for 2.70 points per offensive drive and had scored on 48.7 percent (TD + FG) of its offensive drives. In the game, they combined for scores on 22.7 percent of its offensive drives (no TDs, 5 FGs) and averaged 0.68 points per drive.
- Going into Week 11, Georgia has posted the biggest turnaround from this time last season. The Bulldogs’ 7-2 mark this year is three games ahead of last season’s 4-5 mark at this time. Vanderbilt has the league’ second biggest turnaround at two games, advancing from 2-7 at this time last season to 4-5 this year.
- The SEC has six of the top 20 pass defenses in the nation, according to the latest NCAA statistics. Alabama leads the nation, giving up 130.67 yards per game, followed by South Carolina in third (154.00), LSU ninth (177.44), Florida 11th (182.78), Tennessee 17th (186.78) and Mississippi State 19th (188.11).
- The SEC has three of the top eight rushing defenses in the nation. Alabama leads the nation, giving up 56.33 yards per game, followed by LSU in second (78.78) and Georgia 8th (91.11).
- The SEC has five of the top 14 total defenses in the nation. Alabama leads the nation, giving up 187.00 yards per game followed by LSU third (256.22), Georgia seventh (282.00), South Carolina ninth (284.89) and Florida 14th (306.11).
- Other SEC team national statistical leaders: LSU is second in turnover margin (+1.67), Alabama (7.11) and LSU (10.89) are 1-2 in scoring defense, Ole Miss is first in punt returns (25.11), Arkansas is eightth in pass offense (318.67) and LSU is seventh in net punting (40.68).
- Among individual national leaders from the SEC: Florida’s Caleb Sturgis leads the nation in field goals per game, Georgia’s Bacarri Rambo is 2nd, Vanderbilt’s Casey Hayward and Mississippi State’s Johnthan Banks is sixth in interceptions, Arkansas’ Joe Adams is sixth in punt return average, Kentucky’s Danny Trevathan is fifth in tackles, Georgia’s Jarvis Jones is eighth in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss, and Alabama’s Trent Richardson is fifth in scoring, 10th in rushing an 13th in all-purpose rushing.
- This week’s SEC Community Service Team Players of the Week are Auburn junior defensive end Dee Ford (Odenville, Ala.) and Kentucky senior offensive lineman Stuart Hines (Bowling Green, Ky.). The honor recognizes football student-athletes who are active in their communities.
- The SEC is now 34-4 in non-conference games this season, an 89.5 winning percentage. The percentage is second highest among all conferences, behind the Big 12’s 89.7 percent (26-3). In years of 12-game schedules (2002-03; 2005-11), the SEC has won less than 37 non-conference games only once, in 2003 (31).
- In 62 regular season home games, SEC games have attracted 4,704,342 fans, an average of 75,876 fans per game. SEC stadiums have been filled to 95.47 percent of capacity this season.
- This weekend’s Georgia-Auburn game continues the SEC’s longest rivalry. These teams will meet for the 115th time on Saturday, with the first game dating to 1892. Auburn holds the series edge, 54-52-8. The teams are two of the winningest SEC teams of the past 10 seasons -- Georgia is second with a 95-32 mark (.748) and Auburn is fourth with a 92-33 mark (.736).
- Georgia and Tennessee are the only SEC teams to post shutouts during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. The Vols' defense shutout Middle Tennessee, 24-0, this past weekend.
- Auburn is 19-2 when either Emory Blake or Philip Lutzenkirchen catches a touchdown pass, and 6-0 when they both catch one. Blake is finally healthy for the Tigers, and Lutzenkirchen has been one of Clint Moseley's favorite targets.
- The Kentucky-Vanderbilt rivalry is the seventh closest in the SEC since 2000. In the 11 games, the average win margin has been 11.09 points per game. Five of the 11 games have been decided by single digits and nine of the 11 by 19-points or less.
The SEC league office has announced its top performers for Week 3:
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Chris Rainey, running back, Florida
Rainey accounted for a season-high 233 all-purpose yards – 108 rushing, 104 receiving, 21 on punt returns – in Florida’s 33-23 win over Tennessee.
He is just the second player in the country to tally a 100-yard rushing and receiving performance (Orwin Smith, Georgia Tech) this season.
Rainey became just the second Gator in program history to go over 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game (Percy Harvin, 2007 vs. Vanderbilt).
Marcus Lattimore, running back, South Carolina
Lattimore rushed for a career-high 246 yards on 37 carries in the Gamecocks’ 24-21 win against Navy.
It was the fourth-best single-game rushing performance in school history, just 32 yards shy of the record. He also tied his career high with three touchdowns.
It was his second career 200-yard rushing game and his seventh career 100-yard rushing effort (third this season in as many games).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Trey Wilson, defensive back, Vanderbilt
Wilson intercepted two Ole Miss passes, returning one for a 52-yard touchdown, in the Commodores’ 30-7 win over the Rebels.
It was Wilson’s second interception return for a touchdown this season (previous against Elon).
Wilson’s performance also included breaking up three other passes in the game.
Vanderbilt held Ole Miss to 234 total offensive yards, including just 85 on the ground. Ole Miss had 93 of its 149 passing yards in the fourth quarter.
Wilson leads the SEC in interceptions (second nationally) and is tied for third in the SEC in passes defensed with four.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Caleb Sturgis, Placekicker, Florida
Sturgis scored a career-high 15 points with four field goals and three point-after touchdowns, in Florida’s 33-23 win over Tennessee.
He went a perfect 4-for-4 in field goals with a long of 46. He also collected field goals of 42, 30 and 28 yards.
The four field goals were a career-best and he is currently 9-for-9 in attempts this season. The percentage and 3.00 field goals per game this season are tops in the nation.
He has made 12 consecutive field goals (dating back to last season), while Florida kickers have made 14 in a row.
Sturgis averaged 65.4 yards per kickoff with three touchbacks and has seven touchbacks on the season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Wesley Johnson, center, Vanderbilt
Johnson anchored a Commodore attack that produced 281 rushing yards and 387 total yards, in Vanderbilt’s 30-7 win against Ole Miss.
The 281 rushing yards was Vanderbilt’s highest output against an SEC opponent in 17 seasons, dating back to Oct. 15, 1994 against Georgia.
Johnson started every game last season at left offensive tackle, earning Freshman All-SEC honors, and moved to center this season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Bennie Logan, defensive tackle, LSU
Logan registered five tackles, including 3.5 tackles for losses, in LSU’s 19-6 win over Mississippi State. Included in the tackles for loss is a half-sack for minus 5 yards.
Led an LSU defensive front that held Mississippi State to just 52 rushing yards, 269 yards below their season average.
The Bulldogs entered the game rated first in the SEC in total offense and rushing yards. The Tigers limited the Bulldogs to only 193 total yards, nearly 400 yards below their season average
For the game, the Tigers registered 15 tackles for losses and five sacks.
This season, Logan is tied for seventh in the SEC in tackles for loss with 3.5.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Odell Beckham, receiver, LSU
Beckham led LSU with eight catches for 61 yards in Tigers’ 19-6 win over Mississippi State.
The eight catches were the most by an LSU true freshman since Michael Clayton caught eight balls in 2002 Sugar Bowl.
Four of his 8 receptions resulted in first downs for the Tigers, who had 21 in the game.
A true freshman, Beckham has started two of LSU’s first three games and he leads the team with 15 receptions.
OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES FROM WEEK 3
RB Trent Richardson (Alabama) -- Rushed for a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries (15.2 ypc) against North Texas.
LB Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) -- Totaled four solo tackles in shutout of North Texas, including 3.0 tackles for loss and led the team with three QB hurries.
RB Ronnie Wingo, Jr. (Arkansas) -- Rushed for 109 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns and had three catches for 20 yards and another score against Troy.
LB Jerry Franklin (Arkansas) -- Led Razorbacks with nine total tackles with 0.5 for loss (-1) and a pass deflection against Troy.
RB Michael Dyer (Auburn) -- Rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries against Clemson.
P Steven Clark (Auburn) -- Four of six punts placed inside-the-20 with a net average of 41.3 yards per attempt against Clemson.
LB Jon Bostic (Florida) -- Tied career-high with eight total tackles and a sack (minus 7 yards) against Tennessee.
SE Malcolm Mitchell (Georgia) -- Had career-high six catches for 43 yards and a touchdown against Coastal Carolina.
PK Blair Walsh (Georgia) -- Had kick of 56 yards (longest in SEC this season) and connected on all eight PAT tries against Coastal Carolina.
QB Morgan Newton (Kentucky) -- Completed 27-of-41 passes for 255 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Louisville.
LB Danny Trevathan (Kentucky) -- Led Wildcats with 12 total tackles including a sack (-6 yards) and a forced fumble against Louisville.
QB Jarrett Lee (LSU) -- Completed 21-of-27 passes for 213 yards with a touchdown and intercption against Mississippi State.
LB Mike Marry (Ole Miss) -- Led Rebels with 11 total tackles with two for losses (-13 yards), including a sack (-10 yards) against Vanderbilt.
P Tyler Campbell (Ole Miss) -- Averaged 44.5 yards on six attempts, with three of those inside-the-20 yard line, against Vanderbilt.
SS Charles Mitchell (Mississippi) -- Led Mississippi State with 16 total tackles (seven solos) against LSU.
PK Derek DePasquale (Mississippi State) -- Hit both field goal attempts, including a 42-yarder, against LSU.
SPUR Antonio Allen (South Carolina) -- Led Gamecocks with 10 total tackles (eight solos) with a forced fumble and interception against Navy.
QB Tyler Bray (Tennessee) -- Completed 26-of-48 passes for 288 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions against Florida.
LB A.J. Johnson (Tennessee) -- Totaled seven tackles (all solos) with a forced and recovered fumble against Florida.
RB Zac Stacy (Vanderbilt) -- Rushed for a career-high 169 yards (10th highest rushing total in school history) on 11 carries against Ole Miss.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Chris Rainey, running back, Florida
Rainey accounted for a season-high 233 all-purpose yards – 108 rushing, 104 receiving, 21 on punt returns – in Florida’s 33-23 win over Tennessee.
He is just the second player in the country to tally a 100-yard rushing and receiving performance (Orwin Smith, Georgia Tech) this season.
Rainey became just the second Gator in program history to go over 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game (Percy Harvin, 2007 vs. Vanderbilt).
Marcus Lattimore, running back, South Carolina
Lattimore rushed for a career-high 246 yards on 37 carries in the Gamecocks’ 24-21 win against Navy.
It was the fourth-best single-game rushing performance in school history, just 32 yards shy of the record. He also tied his career high with three touchdowns.
It was his second career 200-yard rushing game and his seventh career 100-yard rushing effort (third this season in as many games).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Trey Wilson, defensive back, Vanderbilt
Wilson intercepted two Ole Miss passes, returning one for a 52-yard touchdown, in the Commodores’ 30-7 win over the Rebels.
It was Wilson’s second interception return for a touchdown this season (previous against Elon).
Wilson’s performance also included breaking up three other passes in the game.
Vanderbilt held Ole Miss to 234 total offensive yards, including just 85 on the ground. Ole Miss had 93 of its 149 passing yards in the fourth quarter.
Wilson leads the SEC in interceptions (second nationally) and is tied for third in the SEC in passes defensed with four.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Caleb Sturgis, Placekicker, Florida
Sturgis scored a career-high 15 points with four field goals and three point-after touchdowns, in Florida’s 33-23 win over Tennessee.
He went a perfect 4-for-4 in field goals with a long of 46. He also collected field goals of 42, 30 and 28 yards.
The four field goals were a career-best and he is currently 9-for-9 in attempts this season. The percentage and 3.00 field goals per game this season are tops in the nation.
He has made 12 consecutive field goals (dating back to last season), while Florida kickers have made 14 in a row.
Sturgis averaged 65.4 yards per kickoff with three touchbacks and has seven touchbacks on the season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Wesley Johnson, center, Vanderbilt
Johnson anchored a Commodore attack that produced 281 rushing yards and 387 total yards, in Vanderbilt’s 30-7 win against Ole Miss.
The 281 rushing yards was Vanderbilt’s highest output against an SEC opponent in 17 seasons, dating back to Oct. 15, 1994 against Georgia.
Johnson started every game last season at left offensive tackle, earning Freshman All-SEC honors, and moved to center this season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Bennie Logan, defensive tackle, LSU
Logan registered five tackles, including 3.5 tackles for losses, in LSU’s 19-6 win over Mississippi State. Included in the tackles for loss is a half-sack for minus 5 yards.
Led an LSU defensive front that held Mississippi State to just 52 rushing yards, 269 yards below their season average.
The Bulldogs entered the game rated first in the SEC in total offense and rushing yards. The Tigers limited the Bulldogs to only 193 total yards, nearly 400 yards below their season average
For the game, the Tigers registered 15 tackles for losses and five sacks.
This season, Logan is tied for seventh in the SEC in tackles for loss with 3.5.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Odell Beckham, receiver, LSU
Beckham led LSU with eight catches for 61 yards in Tigers’ 19-6 win over Mississippi State.
The eight catches were the most by an LSU true freshman since Michael Clayton caught eight balls in 2002 Sugar Bowl.
Four of his 8 receptions resulted in first downs for the Tigers, who had 21 in the game.
A true freshman, Beckham has started two of LSU’s first three games and he leads the team with 15 receptions.
OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES FROM WEEK 3
RB Trent Richardson (Alabama) -- Rushed for a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries (15.2 ypc) against North Texas.
LB Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) -- Totaled four solo tackles in shutout of North Texas, including 3.0 tackles for loss and led the team with three QB hurries.
RB Ronnie Wingo, Jr. (Arkansas) -- Rushed for 109 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns and had three catches for 20 yards and another score against Troy.
LB Jerry Franklin (Arkansas) -- Led Razorbacks with nine total tackles with 0.5 for loss (-1) and a pass deflection against Troy.
RB Michael Dyer (Auburn) -- Rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries against Clemson.
P Steven Clark (Auburn) -- Four of six punts placed inside-the-20 with a net average of 41.3 yards per attempt against Clemson.
LB Jon Bostic (Florida) -- Tied career-high with eight total tackles and a sack (minus 7 yards) against Tennessee.
SE Malcolm Mitchell (Georgia) -- Had career-high six catches for 43 yards and a touchdown against Coastal Carolina.
PK Blair Walsh (Georgia) -- Had kick of 56 yards (longest in SEC this season) and connected on all eight PAT tries against Coastal Carolina.
QB Morgan Newton (Kentucky) -- Completed 27-of-41 passes for 255 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Louisville.
LB Danny Trevathan (Kentucky) -- Led Wildcats with 12 total tackles including a sack (-6 yards) and a forced fumble against Louisville.
QB Jarrett Lee (LSU) -- Completed 21-of-27 passes for 213 yards with a touchdown and intercption against Mississippi State.
LB Mike Marry (Ole Miss) -- Led Rebels with 11 total tackles with two for losses (-13 yards), including a sack (-10 yards) against Vanderbilt.
P Tyler Campbell (Ole Miss) -- Averaged 44.5 yards on six attempts, with three of those inside-the-20 yard line, against Vanderbilt.
SS Charles Mitchell (Mississippi) -- Led Mississippi State with 16 total tackles (seven solos) against LSU.
PK Derek DePasquale (Mississippi State) -- Hit both field goal attempts, including a 42-yarder, against LSU.
SPUR Antonio Allen (South Carolina) -- Led Gamecocks with 10 total tackles (eight solos) with a forced fumble and interception against Navy.
QB Tyler Bray (Tennessee) -- Completed 26-of-48 passes for 288 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions against Florida.
LB A.J. Johnson (Tennessee) -- Totaled seven tackles (all solos) with a forced and recovered fumble against Florida.
RB Zac Stacy (Vanderbilt) -- Rushed for a career-high 169 yards (10th highest rushing total in school history) on 11 carries against Ole Miss.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
Edward Aschoff
Aschoff joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years covering the University of Florida for The Gainesville Sun. He grew up in Oxford, Miss., before attending UF, graduating with a B.S. in journalism.
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