Spartans' Kenneth Walker Top Rusher In Nation

The move to Michigan State has been a career booster for Kenneth Walker III, who leads the nation in rushing through his first three games with the Spartans.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 18: Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is seen running with the football during the Michigan State Spartans vs. The Miami Hurricanes game on September 18, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Walker has had his two highest rushing totals as a collegian since transferring from Wake Forest in January. He's averaging 164.3 yards per game after running for 172 yards on 27 carries in the Spartans' 38-17 win at Miami on Saturday.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound junior generated 114 of his yards after contact and forced 20 missed tackles against the Hurricanes, according to Pro Football Focus.

Walker averaged 72.4 yards per game last season to rank 72nd nationally.

Other national leaders:

Brennan Armstrong of Virginia is first in passing yards, averaging 432.7 per game after throwing for a national season-high 554 in a loss to North Carolina.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 21: Brennan Armstrong #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers throws a pass in the first half during a game against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Scott Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)

Deven Thompkins of Utah State is first in receiving yards with 151.3 per game.

Team leaders are Mississippi in scoring (52.7 ppg) and total offense (638.3 ypg), Michigan in rushing (350.3 ypg), Western Kentucky in passing (456.5 ypg), Texas A&M in scoring defense (5.7 ppg) and pass defense (77.3 ypg), Wisconsin in rushing defense (33 ypg) and Iowa State in total defense (192.7 ypg).

THE 200 CLUB

Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson set a national season high with 277 yards on 24 carries against Tulsa. He broke Archie Griffin's school freshman rushing record and also had three touchdowns in his first start.

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on September 11, 2021. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jaylen Warren of Oklahoma State had the only other 200-yard game of the weekend, going for 218 on 32 carries against Boise State. The transfer from Utah State entered the game with 46 yards on 20 carries.

GOPHERS' GOLDEN 'D'

Minnesota turned in its best defensive performance in at least two decades when it held Colorado to 63 total yards and minus-19 rushing yards in a 30-0 road win.

The Gophers had not held an opponent under 100 total yards or under zero on the ground since at least 2000, according to College Football Reference.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Miami of Ohio Redhawks quarterback Brett Gabbert (5) is brought down by Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive linemen Boye Mafe (34) during a game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Miami of Ohio State Redhawks at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN on September 11, 2021.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

No team had given up so few total yards against an FBS opponent since TCU held Kansas to 21 in 2017.

The shutout was Minnesota's first against a Power Five team since a 45-0 win over Illinois in 2004 and the first on the road since a 21-0 win over the Illini in 1977.

BAMA STREAKS

Alabama's 31-29 win over Florida continued some impressive streaks for the Crimson Tide. With eight straight wins over the Gators, Alabama tied its record for the second-longest winning streak by any team against Florida. The Crimson Tide last accomplished that feat from 1964-86.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Alabama also won its 32nd straight against an SEC Eastern Division opponent. 'Bama has won 43 straight games when scoring a touchdown on its first offensive series.

MALIK MAYHEM

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis ran for 100 yards in the first quarter against Old Dominion, making him the first Flames player since 2003 with a triple-digit rushing total after an opening quarter.

Willis played a role in six touchdowns, second-most to his school-record seven against Southern Mississippi last season.

AZTEC ARTISTRY

San Diego State's 33-31 win over Utah in three overtimes gave the Aztecs a 7-2 record against the Pac-12 since 2016. The Aztecs' 3-0 start includes two wins over Power Five opponents (Arizona last week). They also had two wins against the Power Five (Arizona State, Stanford) in 2017.

 

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