College Football

Kenneth Walker, Tyler Van Dyke highlight Week 9 college football top performers

Updated Oct. 31, 2021 12:25 a.m. ET

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Week 9 of the college football season kept the big performances coming, beginning with a Heisman hopeful dominating in East Lansing.

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III entered Saturday as the nation's leading rusher, with 997 rushing yards, and might have exited Saturday with a claim as the best player in the country.

Here's a look at the top individual performances from Saturday’s games.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State

If America was in search of a Heisman moment from a Heisman candidate, we got it from Walker in MSU's 37-33 win over Michigan. Walker crossed the 1,000-yard mark on the season with a 197-yard performance and five rushing touchdowns against the Wolverines, the most touchdowns scored by a player in the history of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry. Walker ran into the history books Saturday and might've raced past the field for the 2021 Heisman trophy.

Andrel Anthony, WR, Michigan

Talk about a breakout game. Anthony had not caught a pass on the season before Saturday against MSU, when he caught six balls for 155 yards and two scores, both of which came in the first half. Although his team didn't leave with a win, he announced his arrival to the rest of the Big Ten and might have added a new element to the Michigan passing attack for the home stretch of the season.

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Pickett didn't have his best game of the season in a 38-34 loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday, but that speaks to how dominant he has been for Pittsburgh this season. The Heisman candidate threw two interceptions, but those were offset by his three touchdown passes and 519 passing yards while completing 39 passes. Pittsburgh was on the wrong side of a thriller Saturday, but the Panthers' quarterback did more than enough to not only keep them in the game but also give them a chance to win.

Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami

Van Dyke entered Saturday's matchup with Pittsburgh riding a wave of momentum after throwing four touchdown passes against North Carolina State last week. That momentum carried into the matchup against No. 17 Pittsburgh, with the freshman quarterback passing for 428 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Van Dyke has thrown seven of his 12 passing touchdowns in the past two weeks, which has coincided with two straight wins against ranked opponents for the Hurricanes.

Caleb Williams, QB, Oklahoma

Williams is a true freshman quarterback, but he continues to look like a seasoned veteran for the Sooners. His reign of dominance over the Big 12 continued Saturday in a win over Texas Tech, as he passed for 402 yards and six touchdowns, both career highs. Oklahoma remained undefeated, and Williams continued to make a case for Heisman consideration.

Georgia's entire defense

Georgia has established itself as the best team in the country, and the staple of its dominance has been defense. On Saturday, the Florida Gators got a first-hand look at just how tough Georgia is defensively, scoring just seven points and averaging 5.5 yards per play in a 34-7 loss. Interceptions from Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith were highlights of the day for the Bulldogs, with Dean returning his interception for a 50-yard touchdown.

Anthony Brown, QB, Oregon

Oregon cruised to a 51-29 win over Colorado, and it was mainly due to the play of Brown. His 307 passing yards were a season high, and he threw three touchdown passes. It was the type of performance Brown needed after throwing zero touchdowns and two interceptions in Oregon's previous game against UCLA. The bounce-back performance gives Brown positive momentum heading into next week's matchup with Washington.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Ohio State's offense has been overwhelming for opponents this season, and while the passing attack usually garners most of the attention, the Buckeyes have an elite running back in the fold as well. TreVeyon Henderson's sensational freshman season continued Saturday in a 33-24 win over Penn State, in which he rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown. It was his third game of the season with at least 100 yards rushing.

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College Football

Michigan State Spartans

Kenneth Walker

Michigan Wolverines

Andrel Anthony

Kenny Pickett

Pittsburgh Panthers

Tyler Van Dyke

CFB - Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans - 10/30/2021

CFB - Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Panthers - 10/30/2021

Georgia Bulldogs

Nakobe Dean

Nolan Smith

Caleb Williams

Oklahoma Sooners

CFB - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Oklahoma Sooners - 10/30/2021

CFB - Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators - 10/30/2021

Anthony Brown

Oregon Ducks

CFB - Colorado Buffaloes vs. Oregon Ducks - 10/30/2021

TreVeyon Henderson

Ohio State Buckeyes

CFB - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Ohio State Buckeyes - 10/30/2021