It's once again time to name the And The Valley Shook SEC Offensive Skill Position Player of the Week. Unlike last week, there are a lot of guys to choose from, including for the first time this year a couple of LSU players who did some outstanding things on the football field against quality competition.
Several runners had great Saturdays, including but not limited to, Charles Scott of LSU who did something no LSU player had ever done: rush for 100 yards in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Glenn Coffee of Alabama had a Scott-esque line, with 162 yards and 2 scores on 10 carries. Knowshon Moreno went for 142 yards against Arizona State.
A couple of quarterbacks shined as well. Matthew Stafford had a career best 285 yards passing. Jarrett Lee had a dramatic come from behind night behind the center, throwing for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns.
But none of those guys are my And The Valley Shook SEC Offensive Skill Position Player of the Week for Week #4, though all would be deserving. This week the award goes to:
Another true freshman receiver got more hype coming into the season, but this is the one who is the most productive
Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green becomes the first ever true freshman to win this award, and the first receiver to win it on the year. It doesn't often happen, but A.J. Green is deserving. He had 8 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown, and even threw in a rush for 5 yards for good measure.
What's more, he did all his damage in the first half, hauling in 7 of his receptions for 150 yards while the game was still on the line. He was on the receiving end of the majority of Stafford's passing yards and half his catches. On the scoring drive that essentially put the game away for Georgia, Green made catches of 23, 31, and 14 yards and scored the touchdown.
When the season started, I wondered if Georgia had a go-to receiver or a dangerous receiving threat. I don't wonder that anymore.
Just out of curiosity, who was the last true freshman to lead a national championship contender in receiving? Freshmen don't often come into college and produce at that position. A lot has to be learned to truly understand the wideout position in college, and it takes most players (even really good ones) a year or two to master it. If you don't believe me, check out Dwayne Bowe's, Craig Davis's, or Early Doucet's numbers their first years. Green's come in and been not just productive, but dominant.
Honorable Mention
I would have been justified in picking this guy for the award. He did not get into the end zone, but he was a workhorse back, carrying 21 times for 132 yards, and catching 2 passes for another 15. Without Charles Scott pounding out 10 yard runs, Jarrett Lee would not have been nearly as effective in the second half. Charles Scott made Auburn stack the box in an attempt to stop him, giving the receivers very favorable coverage matchups which Lee was able to exploit. If Auburn could have dropped the safeties back into coverage, Lee could not have done what he did.
While Glenn Coffee and Knowshon Moreno put up better numbers, and would themselves have been very deserving of the award or of Honorable Mention, neither of them was playing against Auburn. Neither of them was really necessary for their team to win.
I have a feeling Scott will have another chance at this award at another time.