The top quarterback prospects were once again busy during an eventful weekend of college football-Dante Moore had a record setting performance against Big 10 opponent Minnesota; Fernando Mendoza continued to bolster his Heisman campaign versus Wisconsin; LaNorris Sellers faced a buzzsaw defense in the Texas A&M Aggies; and Ty Simpson had an uncharacteristic night versus a strong Oklahoma Sooners squad. This is the top quarterback prospect recap for week 12.
Dante Moore, Oregon, 6'3", 210 lbs.
27-30, 306 yards, 2 TD, 4 carries, 6 yards
Moore led the Oregon Ducks to a 42-13 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday night. This was Moore's best game. He broke Oregon's single-game record for completion percentage at 90%. He only missed three throws all game, picking apart the Gophers defense with pinpoint accuracy at multiple levels throughout the contest. He also did it without two of his starting receivers, relying heavily on projected top tight end prospect Kenyon Sadiq. The result was an impressive resume builder for the young signal caller, who will look to continue boosting his stocks to wrap up the season.
Oregon welcomes the USC Trojans to Autzen Stadium this Saturday, their second to last game of the college football regular season. USC currently sits ahead of the Ducks in the Big 10 standings, so this game carries plenty of weight outside of Moore's draft stocks. Look for Moore to build upon an impressive showing versus USC.
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, 6'5", 225 lbs.
22-24. 299 yards, 4 TD, 6 carries, -24 yards
This was the week for the top prospects to show off their accuracy-Mendoza, like Dante Moore at Oregon, only missed a couple throws the entirety of their game versus Wisconsin. The total passing yardage was similar too, with only seven yards difference between them. Mendoza again demonstrated his pinpoint accuracy on throws all over the field and at all three levels. It was another game that Mendoza used to show why so many analysts and evaluators are fans, and why he's projected to go so high in next April's draft. He continues to take Indiana to new heights this season.
The Hoosiers will be off this weekend before wrapping up their season versus Purdue. Should they handle business versus the Boilermakers, they'll be on a crash course to a duel in the Big 10 championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes who are ranked number one in the nation. That will no doubt be their biggest test, and all eyes will be on their signal caller to see if he can lead the Hoosiers to do what no team has done since last year-beat the Buckeyes.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina, 6'3", 240 lbs.
15-30, 246 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 12 carries, 28 yards
It was a tale of two halves for Sellers and the Gamecocks. South Carolina jumped all over the Aggies in the first half, causing turnovers and creating explosive plays, like the 80 yard long bomb Sellers had to wide receiver Nyck Harbor right before halftime. Sellers had some moments, but struggled to get into a rhythm throughout the game, averaging about a 50% completion rate for most of it. They held a 30-3 lead going into halftime, but things took a turn from there. The Aggies made halftime adjustments and basically returned the favor, creating turnovers they didn't in the first half and rode their defensive prowess to a victory. Sellers was able to avoid the pressure in the first two quarters, but Texas A&M's defensive line was too good to be held in check the entire game and spent a ton of the second half swarming Sellers. The Gamecocks ultimately lost the game 31-30.
This game encapsulated why so many feel that Sellers would benefit from another year, preferably at another program. It's hard to get a feel for where Sellers is at as a quarterback, because he'll have flashes, but then, like in the second half versus the Aggies, will be under constant pressure and barely have a chance. Sellers and the Gamecocks will have a 'get right' game this Saturday versus Coastal Carolina, where they should be able to put their best qualities forward and come out with a comfortable win.
Ty Simpson, Alabama, 6'2", 208 lbs.
28-42, 326 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 8 carries, -9 yards
Simpson led the Crimson Tide into a highly competitive battle versus a strong Oklahoma Sooners team, spearheaded by a ferocious defense. That defense kept Simpson off balance most of the night, never allowing him to completely settle in. It wasn't a bad game for Simpson, but it wasn't the type of performance fans are used to seeing. Everything just seemed slightly off. Oklahoma's defense forced Simpson to throw just his second interception all season as well. It was a game to forget for Simpson and the Tide, who are now at risk of being on the outside looking in for the College Football Playoff.
Thankfully for Simpson and Alabama, their next opponent is the Eastern Illinois Panthers, who come to Tuscaloosa this Saturday. Nothing is guaranteed, but this game should allow for Simpson to catch his rhythm again and get back to what has sent his draft stock skyrocketing upwards all season.