The SEC game-changers in week 7 had more impressive defensive performances than offensive. One performance might end up topping the list of SEC game changers of the year, one came in a losing effort, and I feel bad about the negative game changer.
Offensive Game Changers
Dylan Sampson RB, Tennessee
The Volunteers trailed Florida 3-0 at halftime in an ugly game. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggled throughout with a 17.5 QBR, fumbling twice and losing one. Dylan Sampson stepped up huge with 27 carries for 112 yards and three touchdowns. The final one came in overtime to give Tennessee a walk-off win. After their upset loss to Arkansas two weeks ago, they needed this against a middling Gators team, and Sampson came through.
Garrett Nussmeier QB, LSU
Garrett Nussmeier was having a bad game. He had thrown two interceptions, had completed 18 of 40 passes, and the offense only had three points in the second half. They got the ball down a touchdown with 3:14 left in the game. On this 13-play, 75-yard drive, he still only completed four of his 11 attempts. But one of them converted a fourth down and another was a touchdown pass to tie the game with 27 seconds left to send it to overtime. After an Ole Miss field goal, Nussmeier won the game on the first throw with a 25-yard touchdown pass. It wasn’t his best performance, but he was clutch when necessary and changed the game.
Defensive Game Changers
Whit Weeks LB, LSU
Whit Weeks might have had the best defensive performance in the SEC yet this year. He had 18 tackles, 10 solo, a sack, two tackles-for-loss, and a pass defended. He also forced a fumble with 26 seconds to go in the first half at the Ole Miss 28 yard-line. That allowed LSU to kick a field goal before halftime to cut the lead to four. Those three points proved to be decisive as LSU won the game in overtime by three.
Anthony Hill Jr. LB, Texas
In most weeks, I’d be saying Anthony Hill Jr. gave the best defensive performance. He filled up the stat sheet with 11 total tackles, seven solo, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. With under two minutes to go before half, Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr ran for an eight-yard gain. But Hill Jr. knocked the ball loose while tackling him. Texas recovered and scored a touchdown on the next play. That increased their lead to 21-3 and the route was on from there.
Kyle Kennard DL, South Carolina
I don’t usually put someone on this list if their team loses. But Kyle Kennard was special on Saturday and arguably the best player on the field. He had seven tackles, six solo, three tackles-for-loss, and two sacks. But that stat line doesn’t truly depict his dominance. He was unstoppable, constantly putting pressure on Jalen Milroe and forcing him into mistakes. The main reason South Carolina was so close to pulling off the huge upset was Kennard, so he deserved his due.
Negative Game Changers
LaNorris Sellers QB, South Carolina
I feel bad about this one. LaNorris Sellers was basically the entire South Carolina offense making huge runs and throws to keep his team in the game. But he also made devastating mistakes. Sellers threw a ball backward while being sacked that was a fumble and a turnover. He threw an interception to end the game, though it was a desperation heave. But Sellers also fumbled a handoff with the lead in the fourth quarter which proved most costly. Alabama scored a touchdown three plays later to give them the lead for good.
