Every Monday, we will highlight the best and brightest performances from the weekend with the CBSSports.com Players of the Week. The honors will run through the end of the regular season right up until the CBS Sports All-America Team announcement on Dec. 17.
BYU QB Taysom Hill
Hill doesn't have the passer rating of the typical quarterback in consideration for this type of award, but no other quarterbacks ran up 259 rushing yards on Texas in a dominating 40-21 win. Hill's scored three touchdowns on the ground as well, breaking free for long scoring runs of 68, 20 and 26 yards. By the time the Cougars were celebrating the big home win, no one was discussing completion percentages.
The Longhorns were vulnerable against the Cougars up-tempo ground attack, giving up long chunks of the yardage as Hill, Jamaal Williams and others totaled 550 rushing yards in the upset -- best rushing performance in BYU history, program-worst for the Texas defense.
The performance led to a swift decision by Mack Brown to relieve Manny Diaz of his duties as defensive coordinator. Brown has named former assistant Greg Robinson as Diaz's replacement, and Robinson will begin this week with preparation for Ole Miss.
Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun
Offensive woes at Michigan State? Not a problem when Spartans defensive end Shailique Calhoun is on the field. Calhoun recorded his second and third defensive touchdown of the season -- the Spartans offense has scored two touchdowns in 2013 -- in the 21-6 victory over South Florida. First, teammate Tyler Hoover sacked Bobby Eveld and forced a fumble that Calhoun carried four yards into the end zone. Then Calhoun recorded his own sack and returned a Bobby Eveld interceptions 56 yards for his second touchdown of the night.
LSU WR/RS Odell Beckham
LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham is making a name for himself this year as one of the SEC's best wide receivers, but his special teams play is what stood out in LSU's 56-17 win against UAB in the Tigers' home opener. Beckham's 61-yard punt return in the first quarter set up a Kenny Hilliard touchdown, then he waited in the end zone as UAB kicker Ty Long attempted a 59-yard field goal in the second half. Long's attempt fell short, and Beckham returned the missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown.
Beckham also pulled in five catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns in the win, becoming the first LSU player to record back-to-back-100-yard receiving games since Dwayne Bowe did it in 2006.
Another week, another impressive performance for Texas Tech's newest in-state star. The preferred walk-on, who absolutely has a scholarship headed his way, threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns in the Red Raiders' 61-13 win Saturday night against Stephen F. Austin.
Mayfield handed the reigns over to Davis Webb after after completing 21 of 30 passes (70.0 percent, 12.2 yards per attempt) in just two quarters of work. In total, Kliff Kingsbury's latest freshman sensation has completed 71.1 percent of 90 passes with no interceptions. A much tougher test arrives Thursday night in the form of TCU, Big 12's best defense a year ago.
If you would like to nominate someone on Saturday or Sunday for Player of the Week honors, tweet it to us (@EyeOnCFB or @CBSSports) using the hashtag #CBSPOTW
