In a thrilling Week 12 of college football, standout performances highlighted the action across the nation. Fernando Mendoza of Indiana University continued his impressive season, leading the Hoosiers to victory over Wisconsin with a remarkable passing display. Mendoza completed 22 of 24 attempts for 299 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his ability to excel under pressure.
Top Performers of the Week
OJ Arnold of Georgia Southern was named Offensive Player of the Week after an explosive performance against Coastal Carolina. Arnold rushed for an astonishing 261 yards, forcing six missed tackles and contributing another 53 yards as a receiver. His ability to break through defenses was evident, as he gained 188 yards on just four carries.
On the defensive side, Jakobe Thomas from Miami (FL) earned accolades as the Defensive Player of the Week. He recorded a stunning overall grade of 98.0 from Pro Football Focus (PFF), bolstered by two interceptions—one returned for a touchdown—and a pass breakup. His efforts were instrumental in Miami’s defensive strategy, demonstrating his prowess on the field.
Another standout was Dani Dennis-Sutton of Penn State, who proved nearly unblockable during the Nittany Lions’ victory over Michigan State. Dennis-Sutton achieved a pass-rush win rate of 56.5%, accumulating 13 quarterback pressures, including two sacks and three quarterback hits.
Key Grades and Statistics
PFF’s analysis highlighted several additional players who excelled in various positions. The highest-graded offensive players (excluding quarterbacks) included:
- Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon, TE) – 91.7
- Sean Wilson (Delaware, WR) – 91.1
- Izaiah Williams (Texas A&M, WR) – 91.0
- Jordan Allen (Georgia Tech, WR) – 90.8
- Michael Masunas (Michigan State, TE) – 90.2
- Phillip Daniels (Ohio State, T) – 90.1
For defensive players, the top performers were:
- Jakobe Thomas (Miami, S) – 98.0
- Drew Spinogatti (James Madison, LB) – 93.1
- Daytione Smith (Marshall, S) – 92.5
- John Henry Daley (Utah, ED) – 92.2
- Tyan Milton (UTSA, S) – 91.6
In quarterback rankings, Byrd Ficklin from Utah topped the list with a grade of 95.4, followed closely by Tristan Ti’a of Oregon State at 94.7. Mendoza’s performance placed him among the top quarterbacks with a grade of 91.2.
The Offensive Line of the Week award went to Oregon, whose unit excelled in pass protection, allowing no pressures during 36 pass-blocking snaps while facilitating a rushing attack that averaged 6.5 yards per carry.
Despite a loss, Jace Bellah of Colorado State was recognized as the Run Defender of the Week, achieving a 94.5 grade through his tireless efforts against the run.
This week’s performances reflect the intense competition and talent present in college football, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season.
For more detailed analyses and grades, fans can access the full reports on the PFF website.
