By Tiffany Williams –
Week One gave us everything: statement wins, humbling blowouts, and breakout performances. Navy’s ground game ran wild, Alabama looked mortal, and Georgia reminded everyone why they’re still the gold standard. Let’s break it down.
Studs
Navy’s rushing attack
464 yards on the ground. Six touchdowns. And a pair of lightning strikes from QB Braxton Woodson (74- and 68-yard TD runs). Add in Eli Heidenreich’s dual-role performance (135 total yards, 2 TDs), and the Mids looked more explosive than they have in years.
Tommy Castellanos, QB, Florida State
The UCF transfer owned his debut in Tallahassee, throwing for 152 and rushing for 78 with two scores. More importantly, he was calm when Alabama clawed back, leading the drive that iced a 31-17 win.
Georgia QB Gunner Stockton
Four touchdowns — two passing, two rushing — in just over three quarters of work. Stockton made it look effortless, and WR Zachariah Branch (47-yard catch-and-run TD) showed the Dawgs’ new toys are already fitting in.
Arkansas QB Taylen Green
Six touchdown passes. Not a typo. Green diced up Alabama A&M with 322 yards on 24-of-31 passing, spreading the ball to eight receivers. Razorbacks fans may have found their new star.
Savion Hart, RB, Georgetown
Three first-quarter touchdowns — a 69-yard run, 27-yard burst, and 73-yard TD reception — set the tone in a 51-14 demolition of Davidson. He piled up 201 all-purpose yards and looked unguardable.
William & Mary’s defense in spurts
Two strip sacks, 14 tackles from LB Luke Banbury, and a goal-line stand that kept the Tribe in control most of the day. W&M lost late at Furman, but the defense flashed championship-level bite.
Duds
Alabama’s rushing game
Just 87 yards on the ground — their fewest in an opener since 1975. The Tide also failed on three of five fourth downs and saw their 23-game season-opening win streak snapped. This didn’t look like a Nick Saban team.
Marshall’s offensive line
Georgia had more points (24) at halftime than Marshall had yards (40). The Herd allowed constant pressure and generated only seven first downs all afternoon.
Alabama A&M’s depth
The Bulldogs opened with a sharp 75-yard TD drive, then gave up 45 unanswered. The defense had no answers for Green, and the offense managed just 235 total yards. That makes three straight years opening with a blowout SEC loss.
Georgia State’s third downs
The Panthers were 2-for-15 on third down in a 63-7 drubbing at Ole Miss. Winning the turnover battle (2-1) didn’t matter much when the defense wore down after halftime.
Robert Morris’ second half
The Colonials trailed just 10-3 at West Virginia late in the first half — then surrendered 35 straight points. WVU’s Jahiem White ran wild, and the RMU offense never crossed the goal line.
Sports Insider Daily 