The SEC game changers of week 9 features players leading teams to comeback wins. One player has previously made this list as a positive and negative game changer. It also includes two backup quarterbacks, one was hot and one was not.
Offensive Game Changers
Taylen Green QB, Arkansas
Green’s season has been up and down. He’s made this list as an offensive game-changer and a negative one already this year. This week in Arkansas’ dominant 58-25 win over Mississippi State, Green was terrific. He finished 23 of 29 for 315 yards and five touchdown passes. That alone would have warranted inclusion on this list. But he also added 79 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown for six total. When he’s good, he’s so good.
Marcel Reed QB, Texas A&M
The Aggies were struggling offensively. Conner Weigman has been the starting quarterback the last few weeks and has done well. But he struggled mightily against LSU, completing only six of his 18 attempts for 64 yards. The Aggies trailed 17-7 in the third so coach Mike Elko decided he needed a spark. He inserted backup Marcel Reed and he lit the fuse. Reed’s first snap he ran in a touchdown. He would rush for 62 yards, pass for 70, and finish with three touchdowns. The Aggies outscored LSU 31-6 after he took over in a truly game-changing performance.
Jarquez Hunter RB, Auburn
Auburn trailed in this game 10-0 before coming back to tie it. Then Hunter took over. He scored a one-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 17-10 lead in the third quarter. He then iced the game with a 45-yard touchdown score. Hunter finished the game with 23 carries for a career-high 278 yards and two touchdowns in Auburn’s 24-10 victory.
Defensive Game Changers
Suntarine Perkins LB, Ole Miss
Ole Miss’ success this season has mostly come from the offensive side of the ball. But against a struggling offense like Oklahoma, the Rebels were able to tee-off recording nine sacks as a team. But Perkins is a name you might start hearing more. Coming into this game, he had 4.5 sacks on the year. In this game alone he had four more in the Rebels’ 26-14 win. He now leads college football with 8.5 sacks.
BJ Mayes DB, Texas A&M
Marcel Reed entering the game certainly was a game-changer, but don’t overlook Mayes. Reed’s first rushing touchdown happened because Mayes intercepted Garrett Nussmeier and returned it 27 yards to put them at the LSU eight-yard line. With a 21-17 lead, Nussmeier was trying to drive to take the lead. But Mayes intercepted him again at the Tigers’ 26. The Aggies scored on that drive to go up two scores. In a huge top-15 battle, Mayes was a monster and equally earned being one of the SEC game-changers.
Negative Game Changers
Drew Pyne QB, Missouri
This really isn’t fair to do to a backup quarterback. Pyne was forced to play once Brady Cook left the game with a hand injury. Cook wasn’t productive at all when he did play. But you would think given Cook’s injury that Pyne took most of the first team snaps in practice last week. It didn’t show. Pyne threw three interceptions in his first nine passing attempts. They were three of the uglier and inexplicable picks you will see. It was so bad that even while getting blown out by Alabama, they stuck to the run. He finished six of 12 for 42 yards and the three picks for an 11.4 QBR.
