WEEK 1
One of the most useful bits of information I’ll offer this week is that CBS Sports is now including ‘targets’ in their box score data. Target data is extremely useful to us early in the season, particularly for those teams who do not have an established and proven two-deep going into 2020.
G5 Notes
- UAB: It was noted that RB Spencer Brown trimmed down his weight for the 2020 season and he looked good against Central Arkansas, carrying the ball 24 times for 127 yards and a TD. The Blazers tight ends, Hayden Pittman and Gerrit Prince, combined for seven receptions, 68 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Pittman averaged 12.3 yards on three receptions, but it was Prince who caught both TD passes.
- Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles were unimpressive in their opener against South Alabama. Receivers Tim Jones (139 yds) and Jason Brownlee (54 yds) combined to catch eleven of QB Jack Abraham’s 22 pass completions. Three different RBs carried the ball seven times or more, but it was true freshman Frank Gore, Jr. who led the team with twelve rushing attempts.
- South Alabama: As expected, Carlos Davis led the Jaguars in rushing against USM, carrying the ball 15 times for 85 yards. Three receivers combined for 352 of the team’s 363 receiving yards, led by Jalen Tolbert, who caught six passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Wayne caught six passes for 101 yards and Kawaan Baker caught four passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
- Marshall: The Thundering Herd did not have to rely on RB Brenden Knox (18-85-1) in the opener against Eastern Kentucky and redshirt freshman QB Grant Wells looked comfortable in his first start, completing 16-of-23 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns. Four different players caught a TD pass and Broc Thompson led the team with five receptions.
- Army: FB Sandon McCoy scored three TDs in the team’s 42-0 win over Middle Tennessee, and given the Black Knights’ revised schedule, he should frequent the end zone often in 2020.
- Middle Tennessee: The biggest takeaway from the Blue Raiders’ loss at Army was that WRs Jarrin Pierce (4 rec.) and CJ Windham (5 rec.) seem to be the top targets in the passing game.
- UTEP: Deion Hankins carried the ball 17 times for 113 yards and 2 TDs in the Miners’ 24-14 win over SF Austin. Hankins seems to be the best fantasy option on the roster, but he should not be considered more than a spot-starter this year. Following a game against Texas next week, the Miners play Abilene Christian and UL-Monroe. Jacob Cowing was targeted eleven times by quarterback Gavin Hardison and caught seven passes for 116 yards.
- North Texas: Jason Bean took the first snaps at quarterback for the Mean Green against Houston Baptist and finished with three passing TDs and a rushing TD (11/18 for 217 yds; 3 att. for 48 yds). Austin Aune did complete 6/11 passes for 111 yards and a TD, but the job seems to be Bean’s to lose moving forward.
- SMU: RBs TJ McDaniel and Ulysses Bentley IV seem to be the next 1-2 punch in the Mustangs backfield. McDaniel carried the ball 27 times for 130 yards and a TD, while Bentley IV added 49 yards and two scores on eleven rush attempts. QB Shane Buechele threw for 367 yards, but only tossed 1 TD pass.
- Texas State: RBs Calvin Hill (13-100) and Brock Sturges (14-95-1) combined for 195 rushing yards against SMU. Receivers Jah’Marae Sheread (4-42) and Jeremiah Haydel (4-37-1) were both targeted at least eight times by quarterback Brady McBride, who improvised in the pocket a little too often and missed some easy throws. However, his ability to extend plays makes him an attractive option as the Bobcats move into conference play.
- Arkansas State: Not sure we have seen the last of QB rotation after Saturday’s game at Memphis. However, Logan Bonner’s two INTs don’t look good in the box score. Receivers Dahu Green (5-99) and Jonathan Adams Jr. (6-65) were both targeted at least ten times. Adams’ numbers could have been much better, as he dropped a pass that hit him in the hands, and he could not hold onto a ball after a diving attempt on deep pass into the back of the end zone.
- Memphis: Rodrigues Clark was productive in his first start at RB, carrying the ball 20 times for 105 yards and a TD. TB Kylan Watkins finished with 52 yards on 14 rushing attempts and caught two passes out of the backfield. WR Damonte Coxie’s 8-90-1 stat line was of no surprise, but TE Sean Dykes made a splash with his 10-137-2 performance. Both he and Coxie were targeted at least ten times by quarterback Brady White.