A look at 11 of the standout rushing performances from Week 9:
(Reflects early games; nightcap update forthcoming)
11. Jeremy Hill, LSU
The key stats: Hill ran for 143 yards on only 14 carries and two touchdowns for a 10-yard average.
The buzz: One of two backs for LSU over 100 yards (Terrence Magee the other), Hill posted his fifth 100-yard game of the season for the Tigers. The sophomore had touchdown runs of 55 and 4 yards.
10. Roderick McDowell, Clemson
The key stats: McDowell rumbled for 161 yards on 30 carries with a pair of scores in a 40-27 win over Maryland.
The buzz: McDowell hadn't been over 100 yards since a season-opening win over Georgia. It had been a long time coming, but the 195-pound senior established a new season-high.
9. Robert Godhigh, Georgia Tech
The key stats: Godhigh ran for 111 yards and a touchdown on only five carries in a win over Virginia.
The buzz: There were some rushing efforts with more total yardage than Godhigh not listed here, but none of them -- listed or otherwise -- can claim an average per carry of 22.2 yards.
8. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
The key stats: Rushed 19 times for 165 yards in a 34-23 loss to Minnesota.
The buzz: Abdullah recorded his fourth consecutive game of over 100 rushing yards. In fact, with two more yards against UCLA, he would have 100-plus in every game this season. His 8.7 yards per carry average on the day was the second-highest listed here.
7. Duke Johnson, Miami
The key stats: Ran 30 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-21 win over Wake Forest.
The buzz: Johnson was the offensive engine for the Hurricanes Saturday, and UM needed every yard from him in a narrow escape. The 30 carries were by far a season high for Johnson, who has rushed for over 400 yards in his last three games.
6. B.J. Denker, Arizona
The key stats:Ran for 192 yards on only 15 carries in a 44-20 road win at Colorado.
The buzz:The only quarterback listed here, Denker showed he can do a lot more than pass the ball. He added 265 passing yards for 557 yards in total offense against the Buffaloes.
5. Byron Marshall, Oregon
The key stats: Marshall rushed 19 times for 133 yards and three touchdowns for the undefeated Ducks.
The buzz: Marshall helped carry the Oregon offense in the nation's marquee matchup of the day, against UCLA, in a No.3-vs.-No.12 matchup. Marshall added a 23-yard reception.
4. Andre Williams, Boston College
The key stats: Williams posted 172 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown for the Eagles in 34-10 loss to North Carolina.
The buzz: Believe it or not, it was only the third-highest rushing total of the season for Williams, who has crossed the 200-yard mark against both Wake Forest and Army. Williams crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the season.
3. Shadrach Thornton, N.C. State
The key stats: Thornton rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries in a 49-17 loss to Florida State.
The buzz: Thornton hadn't even come close to a 100-yard game before Saturday night. In fact, he doubled his touchdown total for the season, and nearly doubled his yardage total. Now, he's served notice to Wolfpack opponents that he could be much more dangerous.
2. Desmond Roland, Oklahoma State
The key stats: Carried 26 times for 219 yards and four touchdowns in a blowout, 58-27 win over Iowa State.
The buzz: Not bad for a player's first career start. Only question is, why has he not started sooner? The highlight was a 58-yard touchdown run on which Roland broke four tackles. Said Roland, according to newsok.com: "I can't even explain. ... I've been waiting on this opportunity for a long time now." See Roland's 58-yard scamper at the 0:32 mark of the video linked here.
1. Octavias McKoy, Western Connecticut State
The key stats: Ran 43 times for 455 yards and five touchdowns in a 55-35 win over Worcester State.
The buzz: McKoy set an all-divisions NCAA record for rushing yards, breaking the old single-game mark by 14 yards. McKoy plays Division III football, but 455 yards is a legendary night at any level.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
