Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
BACK ON CAMPUS — With apologies to the appetizer that was Week 0, college football officially and fully returned to campuses across the country over the weekend, including locally in Salt Lake City, Provo, Logan and St. George.
The weekend was filled with big-time catches — shout out to USC's Kyron Hudson — and unreal interceptions, like Robert Morris cornerback Rob Carter, who hauled in an otherworldly one-handed grab, spun through the air, and rolled through the landing to maintain the turnover.
Carter was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after spiking the ball and celebrating the pick. But the point was made — and deserved — before the Aggies pulled away for a 36-14 win over the Colonials.
Can an interception be called "Catch of the Year"?
We'll call it "interception of the year," for now, but it's still early in the 2024 campaign.
In case you missed it, check out this acrobatic interception by Rob Carter Jr. to end the half. #BobbyMopic.twitter.com/EwE9XxXmk9
— RMU Football (@RMU_Football) September 1, 2024
Hudson's pass highlighted an explosive offensive performance for No. 23 USC, which downed then-No. 13 LSU 27-20 in the Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium.
Hudson caught five passes for 83 yards, including a leaping right-handed grab between two LSU defenders for a 24-yard completion that set up Woody Marks' touchdown four minutes into the second quarter.
Miller Moss was named Big Ten offensive player of the week after completing 27-of-36 passes for a career-high 378 yards and a touchdown in the Trojans' win.
"Miller put the ball in a great spot for me to be the only one to make the player," Hudson said of the catch on the Trojans Live radio show Monday. "I give all the credit to him."
unreal from every angle 🔥
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) September 2, 2024
🎥 @ESPNCFBpic.twitter.com/rRKWnilqig
But most importantly, it wouldn't be college football without a strong contender for Flop of the Year.
That one goes to James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Dukes to a 30-7 road win over Charlotte, but he may be best remembered for his Oscar-worthy performance.
The redshirt sophomore from Whitsett, North Carolina, took exception to Charlotte defensive lineman Drew Butler. At the end of a brief exchange, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound Butler shoved the 6-foot, 207-pound Barnett — and produced this golden piece of cinema:
JMU QB Alonza Barnett III with the early flop of the season 😅 pic.twitter.com/SoRTkCBWHH
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2024
The whole production was deserving of an award, from Barnett flailing his arms, rolling backwards, and falling backwards again for added emphasis.
But the chef's kiss and Oscar for "best performance in a supporting role" belongs to JMU offensive lineman Joseph Simmons, who deserves his own improv comedy show for the way he astutely responded to his quarterback's theatrics by running to his aid and performing simulated chest compressions on the "victim."
Never change, college football. And welcome back.