First-Team Defense for Week 5 in college football
Which defensive players made the first-team Team of the Week for Week 5?
EDGE: David Ojabo, Michigan
An absolutely dominant performance against a typically solid offensive line, Ojabo had his way with Wisconsin. He recorded 2.5 sacks, one of which saw him strip the ball from Chase Wolf. Ojabo had a strong performance aside from the highlight-reel plays as well.
He routinely beat left tackle Tyler Beach to the tune of what felt like a dozen combined sacks, hits, and hurries. Making matters even more impressive, Ojabo was getting his pressures faster than his counterpart Aidan Hutchinson was on the opposite side.
DI: Dom Peterson, Nevada
While the Boise State offense ran out of gas late, Peterson did not. The big man in the middle racked up pressure on Boise State QB Hank Bachmeier late in the game, including a WWE-inspired sack and plant late in the fourth.
Peterson recorded 2 sacks and 5 total tackles, proving too much for the Broncos’ offensive line to handle.
DI: Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? We don’t know yet, because no unstoppable force has met with Georgia’s defense this year. An unstoppable force in their own right, the Bulldogs have been immovable on defense this season, and Wyatt is a key component why.
Recording 1.5 sacks and 3 solo tackles, Wyatt’s quick wins in the passing game set him apart from the rest this weekend. He was absolutely dominant, disrupting the Arkansas passing attack on what felt like a dozen snaps.
EDGE: Will Anderson, Alabama
Anderson’s play off the edge was incredibly impressive, given how athletic this Ole Miss offense is. He routinely beat tackles with speed and power while also possessing the ability to contain Matt Corral.
In total, Anderson’s big day included a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, and several additional pressures.
LB: Nakobe Dean, Georgia
With perfectly-timed blitzes in his repertoire, Nakobe Dean was a menace to the Arkansas offense on Saturday. He recorded 1.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, and patrolled the middle of the field brilliantly. As a spy on KJ Jefferson at times, Dean gave up next to nothing in either facet of the game.
LB: Avery Roberts, Oregon State
Roberts and the Beavers’ defense are a formidable unit this season. With Roberts leading the charge at the second level, Oregon State limited Washington to just 15 total first downs on Saturday night.
Roberts himself intercepted a pass while recording a ridiculous 16 total tackles. He had a half-sack and was essentially always around the football.
LB: Ben Bywater, BYU
Just flip on the first few plays of the game from Friday to see Bywater’s impact on defense for BYU. His name was called on at least half the defensive plays from the Cougars on the evening, none more impressive than his first-drive tackle for loss and sack combination.
In total, Bywater recorded a game-high 7 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. He was all over the field for the Cougars.
CB: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Burke was one of six Buckeyes to score in the first half against Rutgers but was obviously the only defender to get in on the action. Making our Team of the Week with ease, Burke’s night was done early. Nevertheless, we still saw him record 3 total tackles and an interception that he returned 23 yards for a score.
CB: Damarion Williams, Houston
Though his teammate Gervarrius Owens had a pick-six, it was Williams who was routinely targeted in coverage and came away with more big plays against Tulsa. Holding his own against what has proven to be a solid passing attack from the Golden Hurricane, Williams had an interception and 2 pass breakups in a dominant outing on the outside.
CB: Cortez Davis, Hawaii
The Rainbow Warriors were going to need an outstanding defensive effort if they were going to topple Fresno State on Saturday night. Finding out just before the game that they’d be without their starting quarterback Chevan Cordeiro for the game, the defense more than stood up to the task.
Davis recorded an interception and had 2 pass breakups to go along with it. He was solid on the outside, rarely giving up much to Jake Haener and Co.
S: Khoury Bethley, Hawaii
Bethley’s dramatic interceptions were exactly what Hawaii needed to win against Fresno State. He spurned Hawaii’s first points of the second half with his second interception of the day while stopping points with his first.
In the closing moments of the second quarter, it was Bethley who jumped a route in coverage for his first pick. He read Haener perfectly, snapping to make a full-extension grab at his own 7-yard line, ending the Bulldogs’ chances for any more points in the first half. His 2-interception day is more than worthy of the Team of the Week.
S: Dane Belton, Iowa
Belton and the Hawkeyes exposed the Maryland offense on Friday night. Winning big and intercepting 6 total passes, Belton was more than just a center fielder in this one. Belton had an interception and another pass breakup to go with multiple plays in coverage.
Iowa confused and pressured Taulia Tagovailoa and the Terps on more than one occasion. Those often led to big plays for their defense, with Belton leading the charge.
FLEX: Armani Marsh, Washington State
With Marsh leading the way, the Cougars were able to limit Cal to just 273 total yards of offense on the night. Marsh recorded 12 total tackles to lead the game, including a half tackle for loss. He was terrific in coverage and routinely made his presence felt in the run game at the line of scrimmage.
Punter: Jordan Stout, Penn State
Also handling the placekicking duties, Stout had an impressive game as an all-around special-teamer. Helping limit Indiana to 0 points, Stout had 6 punts for 278 yards, averaging 46.3 yards per kick. Stout nailed 4 of his punts inside the Indiana 20 while allowing 0 punt return yards.
He was perfect as a kicker, too, knocking home a 50-yarder and 3 extra points.
Second-Team Defense
EDGE: Ali Gaye, LSU
DI: Nyles Pinckney, Minnesota
DI: Dante Stills, West Virginia
EDGE: Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
LB: Jack Campbell, Iowa
LB: Henry To’o To’o, Alabama
LB: Cal Haladay, Michigan State
CB: Ja’Quan McMillian, ECU
CB: Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
CB: Darian Chestnut, Syracuse
S: Cam’Ron Kelly, North Carolina
S: Rashad Wisdom, UTSA
FLEX: Daxton Hill, Michigan
Punter: Matthew Shipley, Hawaii
Honorable Mention Defense
EDGE: Vince Sanford, Air Force
DI: Zach Morton, Akron
DI: Keyshon Camp, Pittsburgh
EDGE: Daniel Joseph, NC State
LB: Noah Sewell, Oregon
LB: Jackson Mitchell, UConn
LB: Jack Gibbens, Minnesota
CB: Jaylen Mahoney, Vanderbilt
CB: Riley Moss, Iowa
CB: Rejzohn Wright, Oregon State
S: Antwon Kincade, Western Kentucky
S: Malik Moore, BYU
FLEX: Jaylen Watson, Washington State
Punter: Isaac Power, Baylor
