Week 12 of the college football season was packed with wild performances and a handful of jaw-dropping moments. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza kept his team’s undefeated streak alive, while Dani Dennis-Sutton put on a defensive clinic. If you missed it, here’s a look at the highlights and the players who landed on the PFF College Football Week 12 Team of the Week.
Quarterback Excellence: Fernando Mendoza Shines
Fernando Mendoza has turned heads all season, and his Week 12 outing against Wisconsin was another reminder of his talent. He completed 22 of 24 passes, tossing for 299 yards and four touchdowns—yep, more touchdowns than incompletions.
Indiana’s unbeaten run is still alive, and Mendoza’s probably the main reason why. He’s looking like one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and honestly, who saw that coming?
Key Stats
- Completion Rate: 91.7%
- Passing Yards: 299
- Touchdowns: 4
Running Back Dominance: OJ Arnold’s Breakout Game
OJ Arnold of Georgia Southern went off for 261 rushing yards in their win over Coastal Carolina. He forced missed tackles left and right and broke away for huge gains.
Most of his damage came on just four carries—188 yards there, plus 53 more as a receiver. That’s some serious versatility and burst.
Key Stats
- Rushing Yards: 261
- Missed Tackles Forced: 6
- Receiving Yards: 53
Wide Receiver Standouts
The receivers had their moments this week, too. Marcel Williams from Akron and Andrew Marsh out of Michigan both made big-time plays and piled up some impressive yardage.
Marcel Williams, Akron
Williams kept Akron moving with clutch catches and a knack for finding open space. He was a constant threat and made a real difference.
Andrew Marsh, Michigan
Marsh was just as good for Michigan. His route-running stood out, and he hauled in everything thrown his way. Defenders had a rough day trying to slow him down.
Defensive Dominance: Dani Dennis-Sutton
Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State was a menace against Michigan State. He racked up 13 quarterback pressures and won over half his pass-rush snaps.
He finished with two sacks and three quarterback hits. The Michigan State offense never really figured him out.
Key Stats
- Quarterback Pressures: 13
- Pass-Rush Win Rate: 56.5%
- Sacks: 2
Offensive Line Excellence: Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks’ offensive line was flawless in pass protection against Minnesota. Across 36 pass-blocking snaps, they didn’t allow a single pressure.
They also cleared lanes for the run game, helping the Ducks average 6.5 yards per carry. That’s exactly what you want from your O-line.
Key Stats
- Pressures Allowed: 0
- Average Rushing Yards Per Carry: 6.5
Defensive Line Standouts
Plenty of defensive linemen made noise this week. Rondo Porter from Appalachian State and Traevon Mitchell from USF were two names that really stood out.
Rondo Porter, Appalachian State
Porter broke through the line time and again, disrupting plays and making tackles in key moments.
Traevon Mitchell, USF
Mitchell was a handful for the offense, controlling the line of scrimmage and causing all sorts of problems.
Linebacker Leaders
Noah Flemmings (Louisiana Monroe) and Jaxton Eck (New Mexico) led the linebacker group this week. Both were quick to react and made some crucial tackles.
Noah Flemmings, Louisiana Monroe
Flemmings covered ground in a hurry and made several decisive stops, keeping the opposing offense in check.
Jaxton Eck, New Mexico
Eck’s instincts were spot on, and he always seemed to be right where the play was headed. That’s not easy to teach.
Secondary Stars
The secondary had its share of standouts, too. DJ Barksdale (James Madison) and Bryson Snelling (Nevada) led the way with their coverage skills.
DJ Barksdale, James Madison
Barksdale locked down receivers and came up with key interceptions. He made it look almost easy at times.
Bryson Snelling, Nevada
Snelling was sticky in coverage and broke up several passes that could’ve been big plays. That kind of presence in the secondary is huge.
Special Teams and Flex Players
Special teams and flex players chipped in with some game-changing plays. Tre’Quon Fegans from Jacksonville State and Wyatt Young from North Texas both made their mark.
Tre’Quon Fegans, Jacksonville State
Fegans showed off his versatility, making key plays on both defense and special teams. He’s the kind of player every coach wants on the roster.
Wyatt Young, North Texas
Wyatt Young’s role as a flex player really stood out this week. He managed to come up big when it mattered most, shifting the momentum for North Texas with some gutsy plays.
Week 12 in college football? Absolutely wild. There were some jaw-dropping moments and a handful of performances that honestly, you just had to see to believe.
If you’re itching for stats or want to dig a little deeper, the full PFF College Football Week 12 Team of the Week has all the details.
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