The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Week 1 in College Football
Alabama QB Bryce Young
The latest chapter in the Alabama QB dynasty saga, many fans were excited to see the freshman QB in action. In his debut start against the #14 Miami Hurricanes, Young lived up to the hype. Young went 27 of 38 passing for 344 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns. Young dominated Miami the whole game and couldn’t have had a better debut. Although it’s Week 1, many have Young in their Heisman watchlist. It will be interesting to see what the freshman does the rest of the season.
OHIO STATE’S OFFENSE
Ryan Day is still undefeated in BIG10 play that’s to a big day from his offense. Freshman QB CJ Stroud looked shaky at first but quickly settled in to beat a very game Golden Gophers team. Stroud went 13 for 22 passing for 294 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in his debut. Fellow freshman Miyan Williams had 125 yards on the ground, including a 71-yard score. Ohio State also saw a phenomenal day from the best receiving duo in college football. WR Chris Olave had 117 receiving yards to go with a pair of receiving touchdowns while WR Garrett Wilson had 80 yards of his own and a touchdown for his efforts. The Buckeyes had a great opener and they’ll need this offense next week when they face the #11 Oregon Ducks.
PRESBYTERIAN QB REN HEFLEY
Arguably the best Week 1 performance goes to Presbyterian QB Ren Hefley. Hefley, a former walk-on at the University of Michigan, lit up his opponent, St. Andrew, by tossing for a Division 1 tying record 10 passing touchdowns. Hefley should be wanted for murder to the first degree the way he was killed that defense, that man was the human torch out there, he had the sliders on NCAA Football 14 all the way turnt up against this team. Hefley went an outstanding 38 for 50 on pass attempts for 538 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns as his squad dropped 84 points in a blowout win. With Michigan’s struggles at quarterback over the last couple seasons, maybe they should’ve taken a deeper look at Hefley.
FLORIDA STATE QB MCKENZIE MILTON
The emotions ran high going into this game for many reasons. This was Florida State’s first game since the passing of legendary head coach Bobby Bowden and the Seminoles honored their famed coach by printing outlines of Bowden’s head on the Doak. The Seminoles also had the tough task of opening up against the #9 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
Saturday also marked the return to college football for McKenzie Milton. Milton had been the starting QB for UCF from 2016 to 2018. In a game against rival USF on the fateful day of November 23rd, 2018, Milton ran an option before being tackled by 2 USF defenders early in the 2nd quarter. Milton would dislocate his knee on the play and would undergo numerous surgeries, putting him out indefinitely. It was announced in 2021 that Milton sought a transfer and would join Mike Norvell at Florida State. Milton didn’t start, but after 3 interceptions by QB Jordan Travis, fans saw the return of former UCF QB.
Milton would 5 for 7 passing for 48 passing yards nearly leading Florida State to an upset win over Notre Dame before K Jack Fitzgerald's kick sailed wide right before Florida State would fall in overtime. Milton’s story is one of patience, perseverance, heart, grit, and fight. Seeing Milton, who is now a grad transfer senior, back on the college gridiron makes him a winner that everyone can get behind.
OKLAHOMA
You’re the #2 team in the nation, ain’t you? You beat Tulane by 5 points. Isn’t Spencer Rattler supposed to be arguably the best QB in college football? Rattler went 30 for 39 for 304 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. RB Kennedy Brooks had 87 rushing yards while star WR Marvin Mims had 5 catches for 117 yards. This defense allowed 35 points to Tulane! Tulane nearly pulled ahead too, with QB Matt Pratt falling short on a 4th down run. Pratt outperformed Rattler and the Oklahoma defense couldn’t even force a turnover on him. Oklahoma’s position at #2 won’t maintain if they played the way they did this week. Absolutely shameful performance by such an alleged top tier program
UNC QB Sam Howell
Sam Howell and the #10 UNC Tar Heels marched into Blacksburg looking to make a statement. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the statement they were looking to make. Howell, a projected first-rounder and Heisman candidate, looked far from both of those titles this game as he looked uncomfortable behind the Tar Heels shaky offensive line. Howell was sacked 6 times by the Virginia Tech defense and looked absolutely terrified out there. Howell went 17 for 32 for 208 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and a pitiful 3 interceptions. Outside of WR Josh Downs, who had 8 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown, it was a very quiet day for UNC pass catchers. This was UNC’s highest starting ranking in some time and they failed to show the nation they’re the real deal. The Tar Heels will have a chance to regroup next week against Georgia Southern.
MINNESOTA RB MOHAMED IBRAHIM
One of the best backs in the nation, Ibrahim was the lone bright spot in an opening day loss to rival Ohio State. Despite the 45-31 loss, Ibrahim rushed 30 times for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, the star senior running back went down with a lower leg injury in the third quarter and it was announced that he’ll miss the remainder of the season. Their leading rusher last year, losing Ibrahim is a HUGE blow to the Golden Gopher offense. Their captain on offense, it will be interesting to see how Minnesota rebounds after such a big loss.
Miami Hurricanes
It was an absolutely pitiful performance for Miami this week. I understand you’re facing Alabama but damn, it looked like little boys facing grown men out there. You’re facing a freshman QB in his first start and you got blown out 44-13? Many had Miami tabbed as a darkhorse but the game got out of hand quickly. This team fell behind faster than Sha’Carri Richardson at the Prefontaine Games a couple of weeks back. They should honestly change their names to the Hurrican’ts! Because they Hurrican’t score, catch, block or play any defense. Coming out with the Wesley Johnson skillset, huh? This team looked as bad as Roy Hibbert did after the 2014 All-Star break.
Alabama had their way as Miami allowed QB Bryce Young to throw for nearly 350 yards and 4 passing touchdowns. WRs Jameson Williams and John Metchie III finished with nearly 200 yards combined with 2 scores. The only Hurricanes that seemed to do anything were the kicker and punter. Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King looked less than stellar throwing 2 interceptions and only a lone touchdown but I don’t blame him as that offensive didn’t even give him enough time to think. The defense played sloppy with missed tackles and Manny Diaz showed how far Miami is from truly competing. If the Hurricanes finished the season ranked, I’ll be surprised.
Washington Huskies
Aren’t you supposed to be in the PAC12 Championship? Why are you losing to Montana? Washington couldn’t really get anything going, especially on offense. Huskies QB Dylan Morris was intercepted 3 times and never even threw a touchdown pass. RB Richard Newton got 62 yards on the ground, averaging 3.6 yards a carry and the Huskies leading pass catcher was TE Cade Otton, who hauled in 82 yards off 8 catches. The Griz defense kept Washington in check all game and pull off a huge upset. Washington will have to refocus to get back on the winning side but this was an absolutely pathetic performance for the so-called #20 team in the nation.
Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost
Scott Frost’s surname is appropriate for a coach that is ice cold when it comes to winning games lately. Frost is quickly making history as one of the worst coaches in Nebraska history. The former Husker QB from 1995 to 1997, who was a national champion, accepted a job to come coach for his alma mater in 2018 after a 13-0 season at UCF. Nebraska hasn’t won more than 5 games since. The clock is ticking for Frost and after a disappointing loss to Illinois in Week 0, this may be Frost’s last season in Lincoln. Frost is the first Nebraska coach to post 3 consecutive losing seasons since Bill Jennings did it from 1957 to 1959. Over 50 years ago! It’s not over til it’s over but if I were him, I’d fire up Indeed and start looking.