Diego Pavia’s Heisman status tops Week 8 of college football

Diego Pavia’s Heisman status tops Week 8 of college football

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Week 8 saw everything imaginable on a college football roster.

There were stunts, Heisman poses, left-handed completions, successful fake kicks, and of course, trolling. Louisville coach Jeff Brohm bolstered his resume as an underdog, Minnesota’s conservative punt paid off and California’s mascot dealt a blow to Bill Belichick and North Carolina.

With our busy schedule, we’ve handed out several unconventional superlatives for Week 8.

Scariest boss to face while in the top 5 AP?: Jeff Broome

Louisville entered Hard Rock Stadium unranked and with a seven-game losing streak against AP Top 5 opponents while undefeated Miami waited. The No. 2-ranked Hurricanes were double-digit favorites. However, history and the betting market have not taken Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm into account.

Broome has found unexpected success as an underdog. Before Friday, he had three wins as an unranked contender against an opponent in the top five in the AP. He improved that mark to four after Louisville stunned Miami 24-21. Brohm is 4-4 when facing a top-5 team, and this marks his first win with the Cardinals.

Louisville’s schedule does not currently include a similar game. But if things go well again, Brohm will be back in his element.

Best Heisman Position Presentation: Diego Pavia

Vanderbilt defeated LSU at home in a complete win for the program — and a Heisman case for Diego Pavia. Pavia threw for 160 yards and a score, and added two rushing touchdowns. He is just the second Vanderbilt quarterback over the past 20 seasons with multiple rushing touchdowns against a top-10 AP opponent.

The senior quarterback has 1,409 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions this season. It’s never too early for Pavia to push for the Heisman — he entered the game with 150-1 odds to win the award, according to ESPN BET — and he made the most of it on Saturday.

After scoring a quick goal in the third quarter, Pavia hit the spot.

Best use of their non-dominant hand: Dylan Raiola

Minnesota’s defense stifled Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, sacking the sophomore nine times on Friday, the most in a Golden Gophers’ game since 1977. Raiola was under pressure throughout the game, and had to think creatively to get the ball out at times.

He showed perfect execution on second-and-6 early in the second quarter. While running an illegal play-action pass, Golden Gophers linebacker Maverick Baranowski tackled Raiola as he began moving to his right. Raiola then stopped, avoided the sack, moved the ball to his non-dominant left hand and delivered a strike to tight end Luke Lindenmayer for an 18-yard touchdown.

Least likely to go all-in during a card game: Minnesota

In an era of fourth-down, analytics-driven aggressiveness, Minnesota returned to simpler times against Nebraska.

The Golden Gophers took a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter after forcing a three-and-out. They received the ball from the 38-yard line, gaining nearly 10 yards Then chase On fourth-and-inches from the 47. (Don’t tell Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell.)

The conservative play call proved correct. Minnesota beat Nebraska 24-6.

Every hunt is important in the game, and it doesn’t matter how you complete it. Just ask Tulane wide receiver Shazz Preston and Duke wide receiver Jake Taylor.

Tulane was on the verge of defeat until Jake Retzlaff fired a pass toward Preston. An Army defender cleared the ball and sent it into the end zone, where Preston fumbled it and then got the go-ahead touchdown.

With the Blue Devils facing third-and-3 late in the second half against No. 12 Georgia Tech, quarterback Darian Mensah fired a strike toward Taylor.

The ball bounced off Taylor’s hands and helmet in front of him, prompting the wide receiver to throw the ball in the air with his right hand toward the sideline. The ball flew over Georgia Tech defensive back John Mitchell as Taylor punted the ball 4 yards.

Fake Gambling of the Week: Indiana State

When playing one of the best teams in the FCS, all the tricks are on the board – including fake punts.

Indiana State hosted undefeated North Dakota State and made a statement early. Facing fourth-and-2 deep in their own territory, the Sycamores took out the punting unit. But they didn’t plan the kick.

Punter Harry Traume ran the ball 18 yards, shifting the momentum toward Indiana State. The risk paid off as the Sycamores scored a touchdown to end the drive. North Dakota State won 38-7.

America’s Safest Job Security: The Cal Mascot

North Carolina opponents have found ways to troll the program and Bill Belichick this season. California took it to another level during its 21-18 win on Friday and used its Oskie Bear mascot.

The Tar Heels appeared to be headed toward a late lead when they set up in the red zone. Quarterback Gio Lopez found Nathan Leacock for a 12-yard touchdown, but when Leacock went to cross the goal line for a score, Cal defensive back Brent Austin punted the ball for possession.

Golden Bears right away Been trolledposted a “statement” from Oski on the jumbotron that read: “I am fully committed to Cal Athletics and the program we are building here. Why do you ask?” Below is a statement from Cal executives that reads: “Oski has our full support. No, really, we mean it. Why else would we issue this statement?”

The fictitious quotes were a reference to an Oct. 8 story in which Belichick issued a statement saying he was “fully committed to UNC Football and the program we are building here.” UNC’s athletics director added that Belichick has the “full support” of the administration.

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