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Players and teams across the MAC played big in week four and a who’s who of the national college football scene recognized their big games.
Here is a recap of some of those great performance:
RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo
Awards:
- Walter Camp Football Foundation National Player of the Week
- Athlon’s Offensive Player of the Week, Pro Football Focus Team of the Week (RB)
- Kirk Herbstreit’s Top Performing Player of the Week
- College Football Performance Award’s National Player of the Week
- Many others
Week Four Performance:
Patterson and the Buffalo offense had a performance for the ages in a critical MAC-East showdown vs Kent State and put all-time great numbers. Patterson’s eight touchdowns tied a single-game all-time record and his 409 yards is second all-time. Patterson was a workhorse, carrying the ball 36 times on the afternoon.
Patterson has 920 yards rushing this season in only four games. Can we say the Heisman should be his next award?
WR/KR D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
Award(s):
- Added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List (best receiver in college football)
- Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 4 (recognizes the most versatile players in college football)
Week Four Performance:
Eskridge helped his squad remain unbeaten (4-0) and hold on to the lead in the MAC West standings by fending-off a game Northern Illinois squad, 30-27. Eskridge caught seven passes for 134 yards and returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
LB Brandon Martin, Ball State
Award(s):
- Added to the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award Watchlist
Week Four Performance:
Martin has stormed back from a 2019 season-ending injury to help Ball State (3-1) contend for a MAC West division title. Ball State’s website reports Martin is tied for sixth nationally with 12.2 tackles per game. Martin had 12 tackles and two tackles for loss in helping the Cardinals win a critical week-four matchup against Toledo, 27-24.
RB, De’Montre Tuggle, Ohio
Award(s):
- Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week Honorable Mention
- Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 4
Week Four Performance:
Showing no rust after an 18-day COVID layoff, Tuggle amassed 209 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, kick off returning) and three scores on just 17 touches. Tuggle showed his explosiveness on a 70-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to help the Bobcats destroy Bowling Green, 52-10.
WR, Jack Sorenson, Miami
Award(s):
- College Football Performance Award
- National Offensive Performer of the Week, Honorable Mention
Week Four Performance:
Sorenson helped Miami bounce back in a big way from a 42-10 defeat at Buffalo. Sorenson caught eight passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns in route to a 38-7 win over Akron. Sorenson created explosive plays all day, finishing the contest with touchdowns of 61, 29, and 28 yards.
RB, Kobe Lewis, Central Michigan
Award(s):
- Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 4
Week Four Performance:
CMU scored 25 fourth-quarter points for the comeback win against Eastern Michigan, 31-23, and Lewis was a big part of that effort. Lewis had 58 of his 106 yards rushing in the fourth quarter and his nine-yard touchdown run sealed the game. Lewis also added seven receptions for 36 yards and 48 kickoff return yards.
Team Award, Buffalo Bulls
Award(s):
- Reveal Suits National Team of The Week (first MAC team to win the award since September 16, 2017)
- Kirk Herbstreit’s Top Performing Teams of the Week
Week Four Performance:
Buffalo put up 70 points in a critical MAC East win against Kent State. Buffalo’s offensive line paved the way for 515 yards rushing and did not allow a sack for the fourth straight game this season. Jaret Patterson’s brother, LB James, led the Bulls with 13 tackles.
QB, Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan
Award(s):
- Named this week to the College Football Performance Award’s National Performer of the Year Watch List
Week Four Performance:
Eleby’s nomination is likely due to performances from earlier in the season but he did throw for 210 yards and score two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) against Northern Illinois last week. Overall, the redshirt sophomore, in his first season as starter, has thrown for 12 touchdowns against only one interception and an FBS-leading 212.6 passer efficiency rating.
QB, Brett Gabbert, Miami
Award(s):
- Manning Award 2020, Stars of the Week
Week Four Performance:
With Jack Sorenson catching all those passes last week, someone had to be throwing them. Enter Brett Gabbert. The Miami QB returned from an earlier injury this season to post a brilliant game, including 304 yards passing and four touchdowns. More than passing, Gabbert salted away the game in the second half with some critical third-down scrambles that kept drives moving. On the day, Gabbert rushed for 48 yards.