Every year for the Heisman Trophy, there is always talk about which “Heisman moment” was the best. From Desmond Howard posing to Cam Newton’s “Camback” against Alabama, a signature moment is almost required for them to win the award. Two weeks ago saw a “Colt Brennan moment” with Seth Henigan leading a last-minute drive to win which certainly has bolstered his chances, but more players are doing their part to join the party. 

Top 5 Performances of Week 10

– Central Michigan beat Northern Illinois 37-31 on Tuesday night #MACtion. With a shoutout to Jase Bauer (9-of-16, 116 yards, one touchdown, 20 carries, 106 yards, one rushing touchdown), Marion Lukes was the star for the Chippewas. He toted the rock 21 times for 202 yards and one 46-yard touchdown run. Lukes’ effort gave his team a fifth win, which looms large.

– Jacob Zeno went bananas as UAB won a high-scoring affair against FAU 45-42. He was a sparkling 29-of-35 for career-highs 484 passing yards and five touchdowns. Zeno has had a few box score-stuffing performances in the past and this season, but he hasn’t found consistency. The Blazers will need him to find it as they sit at 3-6. Navy, Temple and North Texas are left on the schedule, giving UAB winnable games on paper to sneak into a bowl game. 

– Another AAC game that lit up the scoreboard saw Memphis hold off South Florida 59-50. Seth Henigan, one of the best Group of Five quarterbacks this year, was completely in the zone. He completed 23 of 40 pass attempts for 349 yards (season high) and four touchdowns (season high). On the ground, he rushed for 42 yards with one touchdown on eight rushes. Henigan has been firmly in the Top 5 Performers This Season the past few weeks. But his back-to-back monster performances, which feature a game-winning drive against North Texas, has him pushing for the frontrunner spot. 

– James Madison dominated Georgia State 42-14. Jordan McCloud continued his Colt Brennan Award campaign with a great day as a total dual-threat. He finished 28-of-36 passing for 307 yards and four touchdowns with one interception to go with 13 rushes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. With the loss of his teammate and fellow Colt Brennan candidate in defensive end Jalen Green (out for the season with a knee injury), McCloud is now the lone Dukes contender for the award.

– Fresno State beat Boise State 37-30 thanks largely to Malik Sherrod. He ran for 132 yards with a 52-yard touchdown to seal the win late in the game. But the biggest play was his 95-yard kickoff return at the buzzer to end the first half.

Out of all Colt Brennan hopefuls, this might be the best “Brennan moment” for any. As the season is winding down, it’ll be moments like these that could provide a little extra juice to a player’s chances of taking home the award.  

Honorable mentions: Peny Boone, Antario Brown, Byrum Brown, Bryson Daily, TJ Finley, Frank Gore Jr., Joey Hobert, Chris Lewis, Jayden Maiava, Trayvon Rudolph, Kaidon Salter, Preston Stone, Ethan Vasko, Kimani Vidal, E.J. Warner, Gunnar Watson, LaJohntay Wester, Ricky White, Elijah Young

Top 5 Players to Watch in Week 11

– Kaidon Salter and undefeated Liberty welcome feisty Old Dominion at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Flames have just cracked the AP Top 25 but are still unranked in the College Football Playoff rankings. If the team wants to try to make a run at a New Year’s Six bowl game, Salter will have to help with massive games down the stretch. 

– TJ Finley and Joey Hobert will be going bowling after Texas State earned its sixth win last week. This weekend, the Bobcats travel to the teal turf to face Coastal Carolina at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. These two have had their moments where they’ve been in the running for the award. If they can string together consistently strong performances down the stretch, it could be dueling Bobcats for the award. 

– Caullin Lacy has been one of the better receivers in the nation and ranks second in the FBS in receiving yards. With South Alabama teetering on the edge of bowl eligibility at 4-5, his skills will be needed. Facing 5-4 Arkansas State will swing one of these team’s fortunes. The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+. 

– Malik Sherrod and Fresno State travel to San José to face the Spartans. The game is on CBS Sports Network at 10:30 p.m. ET. With quarterback Mikey Keene getting banged up against Boise State and still recovering from other injuries, expect the Bulldogs to lean on their bellcow to shoulder a bigger load. 

Top 5 Performers This Season 

5. Caullin Lacy WR – South Alabama 

4. Davis Brin QB – Georgia Southern

3. Kaidon Salter QB – Liberty

2. Seth Henigan QB – Memphis

1. Jordan McCloud QB – James Madison