SEC Players of the Week TUE 09/02/25
OFFENSIVE
Jackson Arnold, QB, Auburn
- Rushed for a career high 137 yards on 16 carries, good for 8.6 yards per carry, and matched a career high with two rushing TDs while going 11-for-17 with 108 yards passing in his Auburn debut.
- Became the first Auburn QB since Cam Newton (2010) to rush and pass for 100+ yards in their Auburn debut.
- Was one of four QBs in the country and the only from the SEC to rush and pass for 100+ yards in week one.
- His 137 rushing yards were the most by a SEC player in week one and the most by an Auburn QB since Nick Marshall rushed for 214 yards at Tennessee in 2013.
- Six of his 16 rush attempts were for 10+ yards, including his two TD runs of 24 and 27 yards.
- Led Auburn to its most points (38) in a road non-conference game since defeating Florida State, 42-41, in 1984.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
- Connected of 28-of-38 passes for 232 yards and 1 TD in leading LSU to a 17-10 comeback road win over Clemson.
- Was a perfect 9-of-9 for 39 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter.
- It was the fourth time in his career he led the Tigers to a fourth quarter comeback.
- Hit TE Tre’Dez Green with a 8-yard TD pass with 12:18 left in the game to give LSU its first lead of the game, 17-10.
- Completed his final 11 passes in leading LSU to the program’s fifth true road win over an AP Top 5 ranked team and first since beating No. 2 Alabama in 2019.
- As a unit, LSU totaled 25 first downs, 354 total yards and had possession of the ball of 37 minutes in the victory.
DEFENSIVE
Colton Hood, DB, Tennessee
- Hood, making his Tennessee debut at cornerback, finished with four tackles, a fumble recovery touchdown and three pass breakups to help lead the Vols past Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game.
- The Colorado transfer earned the start in place of the injured preseason first-team All-American Jermod McCoy and stepped up in a big way.
- His three pass breakups were the most by an SEC player in Week 1 (pending SC result).
- He also executed the big blow, scooping up a fumble and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown with 0:56 left in the first quarter that put the Vols up 17-0.
- Hood played all 84 defensive snaps for Tennessee in his debut.
Fred Johnson, LB, South Carolina
- Had 10 tackles, one interception and one pass break up as the Gamecocks defeated Virginia Tech in Atlanta.
- The interception was deep in the red zone as Virginia Tech was driving to tie the game.
- The South Carolina defense held the Hokies without a touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rayshawn Pleasant, DB/KR, Auburn
- Making his Auburn debut, he returned his only kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to increase Auburn’s lead from one score to two with 00:43 left in the third quarter.
- The kickoff return TD was the third of Pleasant’s career, all coming in the last two seasons, and was the fourth TD of his career (one INT return).
- He is the only FBS player with three kickoff return TDs in the last two seasons and is one of three active FBS players with three or more kickoff return TDs in their career.
- It marked Auburn’s first kick return TD since the 2019 season and was the longest kick return TD since Tre Mason’s 100-yard return vs. Washington State in 2013.
Vicari Swain, DB/PR, South Carolina
- Returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Gamecocks up two scores.
- Swain’s punt return for a touchdown was the first for South Carolina since 2013.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Braelin Moore, C, LSU
- In first LSU start, played all 70 offensive snaps and was the catalyst to an offensive line that limited Clemson to only 1 sack.
- LSU started an entirely new offensive line from the regular-season finale in 2024.
- Tigers rushed for 108 yards and totaled 354 total yards, 25 first downs and held the ball for 37 minutes as the Tigers overcame at 10-3 halftime deficit to win, 17-10.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss
- Filled the stat line and led a dominant Ole Miss defense in the 63-7 win over Georgia State.
- Recorded five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack, two QB hurries and the first interception of his career.
- It marked the first Ole Miss defensive lineman to record an interception in the last seven games (Jamarious Brown vs LSU in 2024).
- Led a unit that limited GSU to 260 total yards and just 69 passing yards, the fewest allowed by a Rebel defense through the air since holding ULM to 66 passing yards in 2023.
Will Whitson, DT, Mississippi State
- Finished with 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and 4 tackles in his Mississippi State debut.
- Most tackles for loss on opening weekend by any SEC defensive player (2.5).
- Generated 5 total pressures (tied for most in SEC among defensive linemen).
- Earned a game-high 89.7 defensive grade from PFF.
FRESHMAN
Braylon Staley, WR, Tennessee
- Staley, making his first career start, finished with a game-high 95 receiving yards with four catches and one touchdown to help lead Tennessee past Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game.
- The redshirt freshman tallied a 73-yard touchdown catch and raced 25 yards after the catch.
- He finished with 33 yards after the catch on the day.
- He was the only player in the SEC with a 70-plus yard catch in Week 1 and one of only two in the Power Four (USC, Eli Sanders).
WEEK 2 SAT 09/06/25 – GAME PREVIEWS
San Jose State (0-1) at Texas (0-1, 0-0 SEC) Series: TEX leads, 1-0
11 a.m. CT • ABC
Austin, Texas • Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119) SiriusXM: 84
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Utah State (1-0) at Texas A&M (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: TAMU leads, 1-0
11:45 a.m. CT • SEC Network
Bryan – College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733) SiriusXM: 160/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Austin Peay (1-0 at Georgia (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: UGA leads, 1-0
3:30 p.m. ET • ESPN+ / SEC+
Athens, Ga. • Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (93,033) SiriusXM: 84
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Ole Miss (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at Kentucky (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: UM leads, 30-15-1
3:30 p.m. ET • ABC Last: UK, 20-17 (2024 at Oxford)
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000) SiriusXM: 388 – 132/191
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Kansas (1-0) at Missouri (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: MIZ leads, 56-55-9
2:30 p.m. CT • ESPN2 Last: MIZ, 24-10 (2011 at Kansas City)
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (57,321) SiriusXM: 121/192
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
ETSU (1-0) at Tennessee (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: UT leads, 1-0
3:30 p.m. ET • ESPN+ / SEC+
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915) SiriusXM: 139/202
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
USF (1-0) at Florida (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: UF leads, 3-0
4:15 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Gainesville, Fla. • Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) SiriusXM: 160/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Arkansas State (1-0) at Arkansas (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: First Meeting
4 p.m. CT • SEC+/ESPN+
Little Rock, Ark. • War Memorial Stadium (54,120) SiriusXM: 103/204
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
South Carolina State (1-0) at South Carolina (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: SC leads, 3-0
7 p.m. ET • SEC+/ESPN+
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) SiriusXM: 146/201
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Ball State (0-1) at Auburn (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: AU leads, 3-0
6:30 p.m. CT • ESPNU
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (88,043) SiriusXM: 139/202
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Louisiana Tech (1-0) at LSU (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: LSU leads, 19-1
6:30 p.m. CT • SEC+/ESPN+
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321) SiriusXM: 121/192
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Arizona State (1-0 at Mississippi State (1-0, 0-0) Series: ASU leads, 1-0
6:30 p.m. CT • ESPN2 Last: ASU, 30-23 (2024 at Tempe)
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (60,311) SiriusXM: 132/191
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Michigan (1-0) at Oklahoma (1-0, 0-0 SEC) Series: OU leads, 1-0
6:30 p.m. CT • ABC Last: OU, 14-6 (1976 at Orange Bowl)
Norman, Okla. • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (83,489) SiriusXM: 84
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Vanderbilt (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at Virginia Tech (0-1) Series: VT leads, 6-4
6:30 p.m. CT • ACC Network Last: VU, 34-27 [OT] (2024 at Nashville)
Blacksburg, Va. • Lane Stadium (66,233) SiriusXM: 387
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
UL-Monroe (1-0) at Alabama (0-1, 0-0 SEC) Series: UA leads, 3-1
6:45 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077) SiriusXM: 160/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
OPENING WEEKEND IN THE SEC
(2024 Record)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
Central Arkansas (6-6) at Missouri (10-3, 5-3 SEC) Series: First Meeting
6:30 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (62,621) SiriusXM: 83
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
Auburn (5-7, 2-6 SEC) at Baylor (8-5) Series: BU leads, 2-1-1
7 p.m. CT • FOX Last: BU, 15-14 (1976 at Auburn)
Waco, Texas • McLane Stadium (45,140) SiriusXM: 132/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
Syracuse (10-3) at Tennessee (10-3, 6-2 SEC) Series: UT leads, 3-0
Noon ET • ABC Last: UT, 33-9 (2001 at Knoxville)
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915) SiriusXM: 81
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Texas (13-3, 7-1 SEC) at Ohio State (14-2) Series: Tied, 2-2
11 a.m. CT • FOX Last: OSU, 28-14 (2025 at CFP Cotton Bowl Semifinal)
Columbus, Ohio • Ohio Stadium (102,870) SiriusXM: 82
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Mississippi State (2-10, 0-8 SEC) at Southern Miss (1-11) Series: MSU leads, 18-12-1
11 a.m. CT • ESPN Last: MSU, 41-20 (2023 at Starkville)
Hattiesburg, Miss. • M.M. Roberts Stadium (36,000) SiriusXM: 119/191
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Toledo (8-5) at Kentucky (4-8, 1-7 SEC) Series: UK leads, 1-0
12:45 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000) SiriusXM: 106/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Alabama (9-4, 5-3 SEC) at Florida State (2-10) Series: UA leads, 3-1-1
2:30 p.m. CT • ABC Last: UA, 24-7 (2017 at Atlanta)
Tallahassee, Fla. • Doak S. Campbell Stadium (79,560) SiriusXM: 81
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Marshall (10-3) at Georgia (11-3, 6-2 SEC) Series: UGA leads, 1-0
3:30 p.m. ET • ESPN
Athens, Ga. • Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (93,033) SiriusXM: 119/191
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Alabama A&M (6-6) at Arkansas (7-6, 3-5 SEC) Series: First Meeting
3:15 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000) SiriusXM: 106/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Illinois State (10-4) at Oklahoma (6-7, 2-6 SEC) Series: First Meeting
5 p.m. CT • SEC+/ESPN+
Norman, Okla. • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (83,489) SiriusXM: 146/192
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
UTSA (7-6) at Texas A&M (8-5, 5-3 SEC) Series: TAMU leads, 2-0
6 p.m. CT • ESPN
Bryan – College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733) SiriusXM: 81
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Charleston Southern (1-11) at Vanderbilt (7-6, 3-5 SEC) Series: VU leads, 1-0
6 p.m. CT • SEC+/ESPN+
Nashville, Tenn. • FirstBank Stadium (35,000) SiriusXM: 83
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Long Island (4-8) at Florida (8-5, 4-4 SEC) Series: First Meeting
7 p.m. ET • SEC+/ESPN+
Gainesville, Fla. • Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) SiriusXM: 119/191
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
LSU (9-4, 5-3 SEC) at Clemson (10-4) Series: LSU leads, 3-1
6:30 p.m. CT • ABC Last: LSU, 42-25 (2020 at CFP Champ Game)
Clemson, S.C. • Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium (81,500) SiriusXM: 82
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Georgia State (3-9) at Ole Miss (10-3, 5-3 SEC) Series: First Meeting
6:45 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038) SiriusXM: 106/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
South Carolina (9-4, 5-3 SEC) vs. Virginia Tech (6-7) Series: SC leads, 11-7-2
3 p.m. ET • ESPN Last: UT, 28-21 (1991 at Columbia)
Atlanta, Ga. • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (72,500) SiriusXM: 81
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
PDF of the 2025 SEC Football schedule: 2025 SEC Football – Grid
PDF of the 2025 College Football Bowl Game & CFP Playoff Schedule: 2025 CFB Bowl Game Schedule
