SEC reveals Players of the Week honors for Week 8

Week 8 saw a few interesting matchups within the SEC. Alabama survived an early scare to defeat Tennessee 52-24. Ole Miss took down LSU 31-17. Texas A&M dominated South Carolina, winning 44-14. Mississippi State also dominated over Vanderbilt, winning 45-6. Arkansas also took home a 45-3 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Following the action, the SEC has released its Week 8 Players of the Week honors.

SEC Week 8 offensive honors

Offensive Player of the Week: Alabama QB Bryce Young.

Young was electric against Tennessee, throwing for a career high 371 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 56 yards rushing with two additional scores on the ground. It is the second straight game that Young has four total touchdowns. Young completed over 72 percent of his passes and had the best Week 8 offensive performance in the SEC.

Offensive Linemen of the Week: Texas A&M OL Kenyon Green, Mississippi State LT Charles Cross.

Green was at left guard for Texas A&M on Saturday, and he was part of a dominant Aggies rushing attack against South Carolina. Texas A&M rushed for 290 net rushing yards behind 154 yards from Devon Achane and 102 from Isaiah Spiller. It is the second consecutive week that Texas A&M has produced two 100-yard rushers. Green was part of an offensive line that didn’t allow a sack.

Cross led Mississippi State with an 80.6 offensive grade, per Pro Football Focus. He also had an 83.2 run block grade and 78.1 pass block grade. Cross had 81 snaps, 66 in pass protection, and he did not allow a sack. Mississippi State put up 524 yards of offense and gained 29 first downs and possessed the ball for more than 39 minutes.

Week 8 defensive honors

Defensive Player of the Week: Ole Miss LB Chance Campbell.

Ole Miss had a strong defensive game against LSU, and Campbell was a big part of it. Campbell had 10 tackles, a forced fumble, and one sack. Ole Miss held LSU, to just 77 rushing yards a week after LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price ran for well over 200. The Rebels also forced a season high three turnovers.

Defensive Linemen of the Week: Ole Miss DL Sam Williams, Texas A&M DL Tyree Johnson.

Williams also had a strong performance up front on the Ole Miss defense. He had a forced fumble, one sack, and a quarterback pressure in the win over LSU. Johnson had two tackles, both of which were sacks against South Carolina. Through the first three quarters, Texas A&M only allowed 15 net yards on 31 plays.

Special Teams/Freshman honors

Special Teams Player of the Week: Texas A&M PR Ainias Smith.

Smith returned South Carolina’s first punt 95 yards for a touchdown to give Texas A&M an early 7-0 lead. He also made an impact on the offensive side of the ball with two receptions for 28 yards in the win.

Freshman of the Week: Mississippi State WR RaRa Thomas.

Thomas set career highs with five receptions for 52 receiving yards. He caught five of his six targets. Thomas also caught his first career touchdown in the win, and had a career long reception of 28 yards. He averaged 10.4 yards per reception.