I don’t like using hyperbole in articles, but I think Saturday featured some legendary Colt Brennan Award moments. There were plenty of good showings from players all across the country, but the “Top 5 Performances of Week 9” were beyond special. From a UMass Minuteman, a back-and-forth affair in the Appalachian Mountains and a showdown in Denton, players were doing everything they could to get into award contention. 

Top 5 Performances of Week 9

– Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams 34 carries for 234 yards and three touchdowns led UMass as the Minutemen beat Army 21-14 for their second win of the season. On each of his touchdowns, he displayed great patience to draw defenders in before hitting them with his brilliant agility to jump-cut and hit the hole. In another tough season for UMass, Lynch-Adams has been quite a bright spot, rushing for 926 yards at 5.2 yards an attempt with nine touchdowns. 

– Joey Aguilar and Appalachian State held off Southern Miss 48-38. His 391 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, along with 43 rushing yards, led the Mountaineers to victory. His last touchdown iced the game and was a thing of beauty to cap off a 20-point fourth quarter: 

On the other side, Frank Gore Jr., who came out on the losing end despite doing everything he could to help the Golden Eagles get their second win on the season, balled out. He ran 24 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns. This included a 75-yard scamper early in the third quarter to put his team up 10 after Appalachian State had just struck on a long touchdown of its own.

– Memphis traveled to North Texas where the Mean Green had won seven straight conference games. In a game that came down to the wire, the Tigers won on a last-second touchdown 45-42. Chandler Rogers helped North Texas claw back from a 31-7 deficit by dicing up the Tigers’ defense. He completed 32 of 49 passes for 411 yards and five touchdowns, but did lose a fumble that led to a Tigers touchdown in the third quarter. Trailing 38-28 late, he threw a 17-yard touchdown to Ja’Mori Maclin and watched as the defense forced a fourth-down stop. With a chance at a game-winning drive, Rogers completed several nice passes before finding Maclin again on a scramble drill with 47 seconds left to take the lead. 

But the Denton, Tex., native Seth Henigan was left with too much time. On a day where he finished 22 of 28 for 330 yards, his lone touchdown came better late than never:

That win helped keep Memphis in control of its destiny in the AAC and has the Tigers in prime position to claim the coveted New Year’s Six bowl bid.  

Honorable mentions: Rashad Amos, Jabre Barber, Davis Brin, Reggie Brown, Frank Harris, Mikey Keene, Jordan McCloud, Emmanuel Michel, Kairee Robinson, Preston Stone, Brandon Talton, Blake Watson, Gunnar Watson, LaJohntay Wester

Top 5 Players to Watch in Week 10

– Peny Boone and Toledo kick off weekday night #MACtion Tuesday against Buffalo. The 7-1 Rockets keep finding ways to win thanks in large part to Boone being an absolute rock at running back. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. 

– Gunnar Watson has crept closer to landing on the “Top 5 Performers This Season” list. With Troy taking on South Alabama Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, Watson has a great opportunity to firmly supplant those ahead of him and put himself in the running. 

– Saturday, Frank Harris and UTSA will take a 4.5-hour drive to Denton to face Chandler Rogers and North Texas at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+. This game finds both teams looking to answer some questions. The Roadrunners and Harris are rounding into form after a bumpy start to the season and are hoping their play as of late is more indicative of who they are as a team. Meanwhile, Rogers and North Texas have been up and down all season. The offense led by Rogers is a perfect example, as the ending box score shows great numbers. However, when watching the Mean Green play, it takes a few drives before the team appears warmed up to mount comebacks that have fallen short. 

– Defensive end Jalen Green of James Madison has roared into the “Top 5 Performers This Season” with an outstanding stretch of games. He has recorded a sack in every game since Week 1, including racking up five against Marshall in mid-October. The undefeated Dukes head to Atlanta to take on Georgia State and its potent offense at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. If James Madison wants to slow down the Panthers, Green will have to continue his high level of play. 

Top 5 Performers This Season 

5. Jalen Green DE – James Madison

4. Davis Brin QB – Georgia Southern

3. Seth Henigan QB – Memphis

2. Jordan McCloud QB – James Madison

1. Emmanuel Michel FB – Air Force