There were more than a handful of guys who deserved to be named College Football Players of the Week, but only two can be crowned.
If you feel that another player was worthy of higher honors than the two I chose, post the athlete and let me hear why you think he or they were more deserving.
Remember though, the two athletes I pick are usually going to be on a team that played somebody other than St. Mary’s School of Art.
That’s just how I roll – here are your top performers of the week:
Offensive Player of the Week: Mario Manningham, WR Michigan
This award could easily have been split up between Manningham and his quarterback, Chad Henne. However, with the variety of moves Manningham put on Notre Dame’s secondary, he is the pick to click this week. Manningham’s stats from the Wolverines first two games: five catches for 71 yards and one score. Manningham’s production against the Irish on Saturday: four receptions for 137 yards, three touchdowns and an YPC average of 34.3. With just under six minutes remaining in the first quarter, Manningham faked Notre Dame’s Terrail Lambert on an out and up and Henne hit the receiver for a 70-yard touchdown. Still in the first half, Manningham added touchdowns of 20 and 22 yards, which gave Michigan a 34-14 halftime lead and eventually a 47-21 thumping over the Irish.
*I’ve got to give recognition to West Virginia’s Steve Slaton as well. Slaton tore up Maryland for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the Mountaineers 45-24 victory Thursday night. Here’s the best part though – Slaton grew up a Terps fan and desperately wanted to play for Maryland, but head coach Ralph Friedgen withdrew a scholarship offer for the back two years ago.
But hey, who’s going to give Fiedgen crap when none of his current backs have eclipsed 100 yards in a game so far this season, huh?
Defensive Player of the Week: Prescott Burgess, LB Michigan
Hate to have two players from the same school, but this kid deserves just as much attention as Manningham. Burgess intercepted Brady Quinn twice on Saturday, including returning the first interception for 32 yards and a touchdown to give U of M a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game. His second interception he returned 34 yards to the Irish five-yard line, which eventually led to a Wolverines field goal. Burgess also added five tackles a pass breakup and a QB hurry to one of the best games the senior has ever had at Michigan.
*South Florida junior cornerback Trae Williams intercepted two passes in the first two offensive possessions by UCF in the Bulls 24-17 victory on Saturday. Williams is now tied with C.J. Wilson of Baylor with four interceptions to the lead the nation.
