All 12 FBS college football teams from the state of Texas were in action in the first week of the season, so we picked a team of players that stood out.
QB: Alan Bowman, Texas Tech
Bowman showed zero rust after a transition to a new coaching staff, exploding for 436 passing yards and two touchdowns against a Montana State squad that made the FCS playoffs a season ago.
RB: Keaontay Ingram, Texas
Ingram looked every bit the part of a breakout star, posting 78 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries, and adding 43 yards through the air in a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech.
WR: Reggie Roberson, SMU
With defenders blanketing James Proche, Roberson exploded with 11 catches for 180 yards in the Mustangs’ huge 37-30 win over Arkansas State on the road.
TE: Jason Pirtle, North Texas
The UNT tight end exploded for three touchdowns from Mason Fine on four catches in a dominant performance against Abilene Christian.
OL: Baylor
The Baylor offensive line helped pave the way for the Bears to average 7.2 yards per rush and held SFA to just one tackle for loss and zero sacks with the starters in. The opponents will get more difficult, but early returns are good on the reinvigorated line.
UTL: QB Frank Harris, UTSA
Plenty of quarterbacks had a good day on the first Saturday of the year, but Harris deserves special mention. The sophomore threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns, and added 123 yards on the ground. The Roadrunners didn’t produce a single 100-yard rusher in 2018.
DL: Delontae Scott, SMU
Scott was a disruptive force for SMU, getting into the backfield for four tackles for loss. He posted a sack and forced a fumble on the last play of the game to launch the Mustangs to a big win on the road over Arkansas State.
LB: Garret Wallow, TCU
With a first-year starter beside him, Wallow feasted. He posted 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack against UAPB to help hold the visitors to just one score
DB: Roney Elam, Texas A&M
Elam posted five tackles, a sack, an interception and two pass breakups as part of a dominant team defensive effort in a 41-7 win over Texas State.
UTL: Antonio Montero, Rice
Montero led Rice with 11 tackles, two quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss in a strong defensive performance against Army. The Owls came just short in an impressive 14-7 loss.
ST: Jonathan Song, TCU
On a day where TCU’s offense couldn’t get into the end zone, Song made all five of his field goal attempts, both of his extra point tries and kicked his one kickoff attempt out of the back of the end zone.
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