By Dorrington Myers
Coming into this weekend’s games, playoff implications loomed large in each conference championship matchup. It was only a matter of time before QB play determined the fate of many programs—one being Penn State and Drew Allar, whom I’ll touch on later in this article. My colleague Kyle Golic also wrote an insightful piece on Drew Allar’s performance. Here’s a breakdown of the marquee matchups and my key analysis of quarterback performance in each.
American Athletic Conference:
Tulane Green Wave vs. Army Black Knights
This game was classic smash-mouth football, dominated on the ground from start to finish. Bryson Daily was unstoppable, racking up 25 carries for 126 yards and four touchdowns. While his potential as a passer remains uncertain, there’s no doubt he’s a true playmaker. Army powered past Tulane 35-14, making history by capturing their first conference title in the program’s 134-year existence.
Mountain West:
UNLV Running Rebels vs. Boise State Broncos
Maddux Madsen rose to the occasion, setting the tone for his team with poise and precision. Complementing his effort was Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty, who put on a show with an impressive 32 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per rush. Madsen showcased his accuracy and mobility, effectively moving the pocket and contributing both through the air and on the ground finishing with one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. The Broncos’ balanced attack led them to a commanding 21-7 victory.
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Big 12:
Iowa State vs. Arizona State
Arizona State did not mess around. Dominating an opponent like this was worth the price of admission. Sam Leavitt was unstoppable, finding his rhythm early and delivering three passing touchdowns while adding another on the ground. But he didn’t do it alone — RB Cam Skattebo made a massive impact, proving why this backfield is one of the most dangerous in college football. With a “win and you’re in” scenario on the line, the Sun Devils delivered in commanding fashion, cruising to a 45-19 victory.
SEC:
Texas vs. Georgia
This game was a mud fest — absolutely brutal from start to finish. Quinn Ewers found some success through the air, but Carson Beck and the Bulldogs leaned heavily on the run game to gain the edge. The key stat: Georgia controlled the clock, holding a time of possession advantage of 31:59 to Texas’ 28:11. Ewers managed one touchdown but was hindered by two costly interceptions. Beck struggled as well, eventually sustaining an injury that brought backup Gunner Stockton into the game. In a dramatic twist, Beck returned to hand the ball off to Trevor Etienne for the game-winning score in overtime, securing Georgia’s hard-fought 22-19 victory.
Big Ten:
Penn State vs. Oregon
Drew Allar and Dillon Gabriel lived up to the hype. Gabriel showcased his consistency, while Allar displayed toughness in the face of adversity. Gabriel finished with four touchdowns through the air, while Allar tallied three passing touchdowns and added one on the ground. However, what ultimately hurt Penn State were two costly interceptions by Allar — uncharacteristic mistakes for a quarterback known for protecting the football. Oregon capitalized on those errors and came away with a 45-37 victory.
ACC:
Clemson vs. SMU
The QB play in this game was pivotal to the success of the winning team. Both Kevin Jennings and Cade Klubnik delivered stellar performances, leaving it all on the field. Each found success through the air, showcasing their skill and determination. Despite turnovers, both quarterbacks remained resilient and focused. Klubnik threw for four touchdowns, while Jennings accounted for three passing touchdowns and one on the ground. In the end, Clemson secured a hard-fought 34-31 victory.
Conference Championship QB MVP:
Dillon Gabriel – Oregon (No. 1 overall)
Regular Season Stats:
• Passing Yards: 3,558
• Passing Touchdowns: 28
• Interceptions: 6
• QBR: 86.5 (2nd best nationally)
• Rushing Touchdowns: 7
