One game is a small sample size, but it’s not too early to see some key stats and trends that stood out for each FBS team last weekend. The “Stat to Know” is bolded, for right now they are pretty straight-forward, as more games are played we’ll start to offer more and deeper stat comparisons between teams and seasons.
Central Arkansas (FCS) @ UAB:
UAB – The play of QB Bryson Lucero (7/9, 83 yards, 1 TD) was the biggest surprise in this game. Lucero looked like he was getting scheduled series, and you have to keep in mind this was against an overmatched FCS opponent, but one has to wonder if he may eat into starting QB Tyler Johnston‘s stats continually this season.
South Alabama @ Southern Miss:
South Alabama – The passing game was the highlight here. QB Desmond Trotter went for 16/27-299-2 while WR Jalen Tolbert had 6/169-2. In addition Trotter rushed 9 times for 41 yards. In 7 games last year Trotter rushed for 61/197-0, only a 3.2 average, so he may not be a true dual threat, but if he can get into the end zone on the ground a few times this year his fantasy value would really jump. Tolbert finished last season with a 5/144-4 game, giving him 313 yards & 6 TDs in his last 2 games combined, so I’d buy stock in him now.
Southern Miss – The listed RB starter, Don Ragsdale rushed 7 times for 7 yards but did get a TD. RBs Frank Gore (12/32) and Kevin Perkins (8/30) both got more rushes than Ragsdale, so this could either be a committee (the team said to expect a rotation before the game) or potentially see Gore move up the depth chart, although no one had a sparkling average.
Eastern Kentucky (FCS) @ Marshall:
Marshall – This was a breakout game for QB Grant Wells as he threw for 16/23-307-4 in around 3 quarters of play (yes against an FCS team, but looked comfortable and poised with some crisp passes). The 4 TD passes were to 4 different players, but TE Xavier Gaines (3/49-1) is worth a look in fantasy leagues.
MTSU @ Army:
MTSU – Unfortunately not all stats to know are good, QB Asher O’Hara, who was a dual threat last season, was held to 9/14-46-0 & 2 interceptions passing, and 10/18-0 on the ground. While some of this was credit to the Army defense as well as the Army offense controlling time of possession, some may be a result of lacking a supporting running game. After passing for 2616-20 and rushing for 1058-9 last season, it’s WAY too early to give up on O’Hara, but it should put the radar up a bit.
Army – FB Sandon McCoy rushed for 15/50-3. Last year McCoy had 576 yards rushing but 10 TDs, so he is in line to be a goal-line TD vulture again. RB Tyrell Robinson also stood out, a small speedy back who had 9/94-0 on the day.
SMU & Texas State:
SMU – RB TJ McDaniel had 27 carries for 130 yards and 1 TD. Ulysses Bentley went for 11/49-2, but dealt with cramps later in the game. While SMU is currently most known for its passing game, 27 touches for McDaniel even when Shane Buechele throws for 367 yards shows both a commitment to the running game and confidence in McDaniel. It is worth watching if Bentley begins to share more of the load.
Texas State – QB Brady McBride had a solid debut game, but the RBs drew my attention. Brock Sturges went for 14/95-1, while Calvin Hill had 13/105-0. From a fantasy perspective you’d prefer one to rise to the top, but Sturges averaged 6.8 yards a carry, while Hill averaged 8.1, both very impressive.
Houston Baptist (FCS) @ North Texas:
North Texas – It was the first time in team history to have over 300 team rushing yards & 300 team passing yards (credit – @ZacBabb), but much of that was due to their opponent as well as their own porous defense. QB Jason Bean got the start, passing for 11/18-217-3 & rushing for 3/48-1, while QB Austin Aune was 6/11-111-1, 5/10-0. The QB situation was an OR, but in my opinion Bean did enough to remain the starter, especially with the strong rushing numbers, although the rotation may continue.
Should also mention that UNT RB Oscar Adaway rushed for 5/118-2, but against a stronger opponent I expect RBs Siggers and Torrey to remain the top options.
Arkansas State @ Memphis
Arkansas State – QBs Logan Bonner and Layne Hatcher entered the game with an OR on the depth chart, with Bonner being the named starter. Unfortunately neither impressed – Bonner threw for 14/23-133-1 with 2 INTs, while Hatcher threw for 13/20-166-0, with neither rushing for positive yardage. I’m not the biggest fan of QB rotations, and when each is a similar type QB I start to question the rationale. Each is talented and has produced in the past, and against lesser opponents should fare better, but a game like this makes both less than appealing for fantasy purposes.
Memphis – We know what to expect from QB Brady White & WR Damonte Coxie, but the standout of the passing game was TE Sean Dykes, who had 10/137-2 on the game. For fantasy leagues that is a must-grab TE.
The big question coming into this game is who would replace RB Kenneth Gainwell (opted out)? The load was split between Dreke Clark 20/105-1 & Kylan Watkins 14/52-0, with the clear advantage going to Clark, although he posted nothing in the receiving department. Memphis usually has a RB worth owning, so I’d grab Clark if available.
Stephen F. Austin (FCS) @ UTEP:
UTEP – RB Deion Hankins had a very nice game totaling 17/113-2 on the ground, but it was WR Jacob Cowing’s stats that most stood out to me. Cowing was targeted 11 times and had 7 catches for 116 yards, more than twice as many yards as the next receiver. QB Gavin Hardison may already be developing a go-to receiver.
BYU @ Navy (Monday):
BYU – This game was ugly, as Navy just didn’t look ready to play, but nonetheless that meant some big stats for BYU. While Zach Wilson looked good in his return from injury, RB Tyler Allgeier ran for 14/132-2, for a 9.4 average. Gunner Romney also looked like Wilson’s go-to target, pulling in 4/134-1, while the next top receiver had 38 yards.
Navy – Navy never got anything going as BYU controlled the line of scrimmage. The ugly stat to know of the game was new QB Dalen Morris rushing 7 times for 2 total yards. It simply looks like it’s going to take Navy a while to get to speed, so hopefully an off week before facing Tulane can get the triple option back on track.
