Overview of Each SEC Quarterback Following Week One

The first week of the season has concluded, and the SEC has reported some remarkable statistics. The quarterback position is pivotal, often influencing the overall dynamics of the game. Below is a summary of each SEC quarterback’s contributions as the season commenced:

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Alabama Vs Western Kentucky (W) 63-0 - Jalen Milroe: Second season starting for the Tide. Has had a significant transformation from the middle of the previous season. Milroe demonstrated maturity, precision, resilience, and exceptional throwing and running skills, effectively disturbing the ball. With numerous talented offensive players at his disposal, Milroe possesses the innate ability to create plays both on the ground and in the air. He finished the game early with 7/9 completions, 279 yards of total offense (200 passing, 79 rushing), five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing), with zero interceptions.

Arkansas- Vs AR-Pine Bluff (W) 70-0 - Taylen Green: In a remarkable debut, Green led the way to a historic 70-0 victory, making the fourth-largest margin in the program’s history and their most significant win since a 73-0 triumph over Texas Southwestern in 1928. Green commenced the season ranked as the 13th quarterback in the SEC, many anticipate a rise in his ranking following his extraordinary performance. The Razorbacks set multiple records during the shutout, with the most notable being a total of 687 yards, the third highest in the program’s history. Green completed 16/23 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns.

Auburn - Vs Alabama A&M (W) 73-3 - Payton Thorne: The Tigers secured the 800th win in program history. Thorne instilled renewed optimism in the Auburn program following his standout performance. During the initial drive, Thorne executed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jarquez Hunter. The Tigers’ defense forced several three-and-out situations, providing Thorne and the offense with ample opportunities, which he capitalized on effectively. The Tigers surged to a 21-0 lead within the first four minutes of the game and added three more touchdowns before halftime. Thorne’s final stats include 13/21 completions, totaling 322 yards and four touchdowns.

Florida Gators- Vs Miami Canes (L) 41-17 - Graham Mertz: Mertz demonstrated resilience and tenacity throughout the contest, refusing to yield to the pressure exerted by the Hurricanes. Nevertheless, Mertz encountered difficulties in establishing effective connections and generating offensive momentum for the Gators. His performance was cut short in the third quarter due to a concussion, he concluded the game with 11/20 completions, a total of 91 yards, one passing touchdown, and one interception.

Georgia Vs Clemson (W) 34-3- Carson Beck: Beck was initially expected to emerge in a high-scoring contest, as the Bulldogs held a narrow 6-0 lead at halftime. During the first half, Beck struggled to complete some passes. However, he significantly improved in the second half, showcasing his impressive skill set, including the ability to execute deep throws. Beck also demonstrated his capacity to evade defenders with his mobility, effectively extending plays and gaining additional yards to sustain drives. The victory marked the Bulldogs’ 11th consecutive win in their season opener, with Beck finishing the game with 23/33 completions, amassing 278 yards and two touchdowns.

Kentucky Vs Southern Miss (W) 31-0- Brock Vandagriff: Vandagriff delivered a commendable performance, he successfully completed numerous deep passes and utilized his mobility to enhance the Wildcats’ rushing attack. Despite enduring several hard hits, Vandargriff must refine his sliding technique to mitigate the risk of injury from aggressive defenders. Overall, he had an impressive debut, concluding the game with 12/18 completions, totaling 169 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Louisiana State University Vs USC (L) 27-20- Garrett Nussmeier: Made his debut as the starting quarterback, initially competing well against USC. However, he ultimately struggled against the formidable USC defense. Nussmeier exhibited excellent ball distribution skills, demonstrating the ability to throw accurately and rhythmically across the field. His partnership with Kyren Lacy proved to be a potent offensive combination. Nussmeier’s performance concluded with 29/38 completions, totaling 304 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception that ultimately sealed the victory for USC.

Mississippi State Vs Eastern Kentucky (W) 56-7- Blake Shapen: As the most seasoned quarterback in the SEC, Shapen previously played for Baylor, where he secured the Big 12 championship in 2021, and earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 accolades in 2022. His SEC debut was marked by an impressive 65-yard touchdown pass on just the third play from scrimmage. Demonstrating significant physicality in both running and blocking, Shapen’s ability to advance the ball downfield aligns well with Jeff Lebby’s offensive strategy. He concluded the game with a commendable performance, completing 15/20 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

Missouri Vs Murray State (W) 51-0 - Brady Cook: Showcased his strong arm and accuracy, along with his capacity to make plays both aerially and on the ground. His high football intelligence and proficiency in reading defenses enable him to make judicious decisions throughout the game. Cook’s exceptional performance has positioned him as a contender for the Heisman Trophy, as he completed 19/30 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown.

Oklahoma Vs Temple (W) 51-3 - Jackson Arnold: Exhibited remarkable mobility and demonstrated skills that are effective regardless of the opponent. He collaborated with Deion Burks to achieve three of Oklahoma’s four touchdowns in the first half, establishing a formidable offensive partnership that is expected to benefit the team throughout the season. Arnold’s ability to extend plays with his legs, whether through designed runs or improvisation, was evident. He finished the game with 17/25 completions, totaling 141 yards and four touchdowns.

Ole Miss Vs Furman (W) 76-0 - Jackson Dart: In his final season with the Rebels, Dart is still making an impact. Having demonstrated his potential in the previous season, Dart led the Rebels to considerable success, earning them a sixth-place ranking prior to the opening week. He set a new SEC record in the first half by surpassing 350 passing yards, a feat last achieved by Joe Burrow in 2019. Dart’s performance culminated in 22/27 completions, amassing a total of 445 yards and six touchdowns.

South Carolina Vs Old Dominion (W) 23-17- Lanorris Sellers: Exhibited limited game experience and faced challenges during the contest. Despite these difficulties, his dual-threat capabilities played a significant role in securing the victory for the Gamecocks. Moving forward, both Sellers and the team must focus on areas for improvement. Establishing a reliable go-to receiver and enhancing the performance of the offensive line would be beneficial for Sellers. He concluded the game with 17/24 completions, accumulating 238 yards and throwing for two touchdowns.

Tennessee Vs Chattanooga (W) 69-3 - Nico lamaleava: A promising young quarterback, garnered attention last season as a highly sought-after recruit. Following Joe Milton’s departure, Iamaleava faced the challenge of stepping into a significant role, which he successfully managed into the game against Chattanooga. He set a new school record by amassing 314 yards in the first half alone, ultimately finishing the game with 22/28 completions, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Texas A&M Vs Notre Dame (L) 23-13- Conner Weigman: Weigman and the Aggies encountered considerable difficulties on the offensive front, committing numerous errors that contributed to their loss. Despite facing adversity, including a physical setback during the game, Weigman demonstrated determination. He completed 12/30 passes for 100 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Nevertheless, Weigman possesses the potential to rebound in their next game against McNeese.

Texas Vs Colorado State (W) 52-0 - Quinn Ewers: Showcased efficiency throughout the game. His performance was characterized by exceptional accuracy and sound decision-making. Notably, Ewers executed an impressive no-look touchdown pass, underscoring his status as a formidable presence on the field. He concluded the game with 20/27 completions, 260 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Vanderbilt Vs Virginia Tech (W-OT) 34-27- Diego Pavia: Delivered an exceptional performance that distinguished him among all quarterbacks in the SEC. Prior to the game, predictions favored a Vanderbilt loss; however, Pavia’s influence as a runner proved pivotal. He adeptly executed the appropriate reads, effectively surprising the defense through the use of zone leads, read options, and bootlegs. His resilience and leadership were instrumental in securing the victory, as he completed 12/16 passes for a total of 190 yards and two touchdowns.

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