Detmer Award Week 4: Nevada RB Stefphon Jefferson Runs To No. 1
By Kyle Kensing
Sept 22, 2012; Honolulu, HI, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack running back Stefphon Jefferson (25) runs the ball in for a touchdown against Hawaii Warriors during the second quarter at Aloha Stadium. Nevada defeated Hawaii 69-24. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-US PRESSWIRE
Nevada running back Stefphon Jefferson treated the Week 4 Detmer Award vote like a Hawai’i defender, as the junior from Visalia, Calif. runs away with top honors. Jefferson vaulted into the NCAA lead for both rushing and scoring courtesy of his record-setting, seven-touchdown (six rushing, one receiving) performance late Saturday in Honolulu.
The Island has been unfriendly to Nevada in the past, including accounting for the 2010 team’s sole defeat. The 69 points Jefferson and company hung on the Warriors erases some bad memories and puts the Pack on a strong footing entering Mountain West play.
Jefferson was not a unanimous top vote getter, however. Another record-setting day garnered our first non-FBS vote. Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke earned a top vote after passing for 730 yards against New Hampshire. Another first place vote went to Taylor McHargue of Rice, who in a 54-51 overtime loss to Marshall threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for an additional 153 yards and one score.
TY DETMER AWARD TOP 10 through Week 4
Rank
Player
Position
School
Points (1st Place Votes)
1.Kolton Browning
QBUL-Monroe57 (10)
2.Stefphon JeffersonRBNevada48 (5)3.Tyler TettletonQBOhio40 (6)
4.David PilandQBHouston25 (1)
5.Colby CameronQBLouisiana Tech23 (1)
6.Brett SmithQBWyoming23 (1)
7.Austin FranklinWRNew Mexico State19 (2)8t.Quinton PattonWR
Louisiana Tech14
8t.Jonathan DowlingCB
Western Kentucky14 (2)
9t.Robbie RouseRBFresno STate13 (1)9t.Shawn SouthwardRBTroy13
#1 Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada- Ran for six (yes SIX) TDs in their route of Hawaii.
#2 Jordan Lynch, NIU- Went 23/35 for 235 yards and 2 TD through the air and ran for another 134. He also led NIU to three straight scores down the stretch to beat Kansas.
#3 Willie Snead, Ball State- caught 11 passes for 135 yards and also made a fantastic catch with 1:02 left in the game that turned out to be the game winner over USF.
#4 Quinton Patton, La Tech- The Bulldogs routed Illinois 52-24 and Patton was a big part of that with 6 receptions for 164 yards and 2 TDs.
#5 Michael Atkinson, Boise State- Had an interception return for a TD that was the lone TD in their 7-6 win over BYU.
Pat Johnston, One-Handed Grab, Founder of the Positive Impact Factor
1. Stefphon Jefferson, RB, Nevada (can we vote him no. 1 twice???) 31 carries, 170 yards, SIX TDs, 3 rec., 76 yards, 1 TD in the obliteration of Hawaii
2. Taylor McHargue, QB, Rice: 21/36, 314 pass yards, 3 TDs, 17 rush, 153 rush yards, 1 TD in 51-54 overtime loss to Marshall
3. Brett Smith, QB, Wyoming: 23/35, 365 pass yards, 5 TDs, 9 rush, 22 yards in Wyoming’s 40-37 overtime win over Idaho
4. Shaun Rutherford, QB, Texas State: 21/26, 301 pass yards, 3 TDs, 8 rush, 48 yards 1 TD in Texas State’s 41-37 win over Stephen F. Austin
5. Kerwynn Williams, RB, Utah State: 21 carries, 205 yards, 2 TD, 3 rec. 22 yards in USU’s 31-19 win over Colorado State
Matt Hargleroad, CowboyAltitude.com
1. Stefphon Jefferson – Nevada
2. Brett Smith – Wyoming
3. Chris McNeill – Wyoming
4. Kerwynn Williams – Utah State
5. Kolton Browning – ULM
Tyler Cantrell, BlazerTV.com
Colby Cameron, QB La Tech- Another solid day in route road win over Illinois
Willie Snead, WR Ball St – had 11 catches for 135 yards and a TD in
Cardinals upset win over South Florida
Quinton Patton, WR La Tech – Had 6 catches for 164 yards and 2 TDs to
help out his QB Cameron
Michael Edwards, WR UTEP – had 7 catches for 151 yards and 2 TDs
against Wisconsin
Adam Muema, RB San Diego St – 25 carries 202 yards and 1 TD
Zach Bloxham, VanqiushTheFoe.com
1. Stefphon Jefferson
2. Brett Smith
3. Kerwynn Williams
4. Quinton Patton
5. Chris McNeill
Kevin McGuire, No2MinuteWarning.com
1. Taylor McHargue, Memphis QB
2. Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech QB
3. Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech WR
4. Willie Snead, Ball State WR
5. Michael Edwards, UTEP WR
Brett Hein, The Upset & VanquishTheFoe.com
1. QB Taylor Heinecke, Old Dominion – I think this is an FBS-only ballot, but I cannot in good conscience put someone else at the top of this list. He threw for 730 yards. SEVEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY.
2. RB Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada – 7 total TD (6 rushing, 1 receiving) and 170 rushing yards in blowout of Hawaii.
3. RB Kerwynn Williams, Utah State – 205 rushing yards, 202 of which were in three quarters in domination of Colorado State.
4. WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech – 164 yards and 2 TD on 6 receptions in rout of Illinois.
5. QB Brett Smith, Wyoming – 23-35 for 365 yards and 5 TD in barnburner at Idaho
Kyle Kensing
1. Stefphon Jefferson, RB Nevada: There are teams that would need three outings to score seven touchdowns.
2. Brett Smith, QB Wyoming: Perhaps suffering from a sophomre slump, last season’s breakout star of a bowl-bound Cowboy team got it going closer to his 2011 pace with five touchdowns in a must-have win.
3. Quinton Patton, WR La. Tech: My preseason favorite to contend for this award had his first standout week, hauling in over 160 yards and a pair of scores in the Bulldogs’ rout of Big Ten opponent Illinois.
4. Colby Cameron, QB La. Tech: Facilitating the aforementioned Quinton Patton’s big night was Colby Cameron. The Bulldog QB flourishes in Sonny Dykes’ spread offense, and on Saturdy dissected Illinois’ secondary for four touchdowns
5. Willie Snead, WR Ball State: Helping Ball State to its second win over a BCS conference opponent, Willie Snead caught 135 yards and the winning touchdown to down USF.