College Football’s Top 5 Performers of Week 1

With Week 1 of the 2015 college football season wrapped up, a magnitude of offensive and defensive players put up stellar numbers, including a flawless performance from UCLA’s new signal-caller, true freshman Josh Rosen.

While no Ohio State Buckeyes made the cut – being over-shadowed by players in the SEC and Big 12 – it’s no doubt that Ezekiel Elliot deserves an isolated mention, since he’s the front-runner in premature Heisman talks.

But since the Buckeyes hogged most of the limelight in the preseason, I took the liberty and ventured onto a path without recognizing any Buckeyes. Although as controversial and unorthodox as that decision makes my logic look holed, I’ve developed a five-man group of college football’s best performances of week one, along with honorable mentions.

1. Eastern Washington WR Cooper Kupp vs. Oregon (L 42-61)

15 receptions, 246 yards, 3 TD

2. Notre Dame Defense vs. Texas (W 38-3)

Allowed 3 points, 163 total yards, 8 first downs, held Texas to 2-for-13 on third down

3. Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd vs. Bowling Green (W 59-30)

23 rushes, 123 yards, 5 TD

https://vine.co/v/et7aeYTIpK7

4. Baylor WR Corey Coleman vs. SMU (W 59-21)

5 receptions, 178 yards, 5 TD

5. Marshall DB Tiquan Lang vs. Purdue (L 31-41)

2 INT, 2 TD

#Marshall's Tiquan Lang may have had the best defensive game all season. 2 pick six & 17 tackles in win vs Purdue. pic.twitter.com/bbSzqxzhbd

— Campus Sports (@CampusSportsNet) September 7, 2015

Honorable Mentions

UCLA QB Josh Rosen vs. UVA (W 34-16)

25-for-35, 351 yards, 3 TD

FSU RB Dalvin Cook vs. Texas State (W 59-16)

19 rushes, 156 yards, 2 TD

Cal Bears Defense vs. Grambling State (W 73-14)

4 INT, 2 DEF TD, 11 first downs, held Grambling State to 3-for-15 on third down

Let's relive the @sungevity Shining Moment of the Game from Saturday! #GoBears https://t.co/jAd227U9Jf

— Cal Athletics (@CalAthletics) September 8, 2015