Just as a solid playoff picture was starting to come together, another crazy weekend has shaken it up. Baylor dropped their first game of the season, ending their perfect record. Meanwhile, losses by LSU and Memphis have two championship-hungry teams struggling to stay afloat in a very competitive postseason race. Add that with TCU’s unimpressive showing in a win against Kansas, and the fight for playoff contention is as wide-open as ever. Get some of the top news from the past weekend here at Optimum Scouting.
By: Cory Burrell
TCU QB Trevone Boykin joins teammate Doctson with injury
In a few weeks, TCU went from a top playoff contender with two Heisman candidates to a panicking team after their first loss of the season and a wrist injury to stud receiver Josh Doctson. Things did not improve much this week for the Horned Frogs. Quarterback Trevone Boykin injured his right ankle in the first half and did not return after halftime. TCU managed to pull off a less-than-impressive 23-17 victory against a winless Kansas. Boykin’s injury ended the senior’s 24-game streak with consecutive touchdowns, but head coach Gary Patterson told reporters he is confident Boykin will return fairly quickly. With Doctson and Boykin, the two most productive members of the Horned Frogs’ offense, hobbled by injury, TCU will need to regroup quickly to keep any slim playoff hopes alive. TCU faces two top-15 teams, #12 Oklahoma and #6 Baylor, to close out the regular season.
ASU Safety Jordan Simone collegiate career ends following knee injury
Arizona State pulled off a fantastic 27-17 comeback over Washington, but lost a valuable leader of their defense in the process. Fifth-year senior safety Jordan Simone injured his knee in the game, effectively ending his collegiate career. Simone has put together a solid career as one of the Sun Devils’ most feared safeties, ranking second this season is the Pac-12 in tackles, along with two interceptions. While Simone will not play in college again, keep an eye out for the talented defensive back in the NFL. He is ranked 17th among senior safeties per Optimum Scouting.
Notre Dame LB James Onwualu to miss Fenway Park game against Boston
Notre Dame linebacker James Onwualu suffered a knee injury against Wake Forest this Saturday and will miss the Fighting Irish’s upcoming game against Boston College. Head coach Brian Kelly told reporters Onwualu had a second-degree MCL sprain in his left knee, but will not need surgery. His status beyond the this Saturday is not determined yet. Notre Dame might head to Fenway without running back C.J. Prosise, defensive lineman Daniel Cage, and tight end Nic Weishar as well. All are listed as probable because of concussions.
Michigan State QB Connor Cook says shoulder injury will not sideline him
When Michigan State’s starting quarterback Connor Cook missed the second half of the Spartans’ victory over Maryland with an apparent shoulder injury, there were questions of if the senior would be able to start against Ohio State this Saturday. Cook himself attempted to end those doubts, telling reporters he is extremely confident he will start Saturday against the Buckeyes. Cook left in the first half after a hard to his left arm. He attempted to come back, but lacked his usual touch on the ball, completing only six of 20 pass attempts in the first half. He did not return in the second, but Cook told reports he sat out the second half just as a precaution. A healthy Cook, who has thrown for eight touchdowns in the last two games, will be almost mandatory if MSU team hopes to upset the third-ranked Buckeyes this weekend.
Wake Forest punter Alex Kinal sets FBS record
In an otherwise forgettable season for Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons do have one individual accomplishment of note. Senior Alex Kinal broke the NCAA record in career punt attempts with his 323rd punt against Notre Dame. Kinal was a member of the second-team all-ACC. While Kinal owns the record for most career punts in the FBS, the record holder for Division II, Dan Brown of Nicholls State (1976-79), has Kinal beat with 328 punts. Kinal will have two more games to attempt to surpass Brown’s total as well.
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