Week 1 of the college football season is in the books. The 12 FBS programs in Texas went 7-5 this week, with two of those losses coming to fellow in-state programs as Houston beat UTSA in triple overtime and SMU raced past future conference rival North Texas. The five Power Five programs went undefeated, while the four in-state Conference USA programs went winless to start the season. 

Before the turn the page towards Week 2, here are 11 of the best performers from the Week 1 slate. 

1. SMU QB Tanner Mordecai 

Results: 48-10 win over North Texas  

Stats: 23 of 32 for 432 yards, 4 TDs

New coach, no problem for the prolific Mordecai. He looked like he’d played in Rhett Lashlee’s offense for his entire career in the beatdown over North Texas in Denton. Mordecai was essentially flawless against the Mean Green. He completed 72 percent of his passes for over 400 yards and four scores. He had five games with four or more passing touchdowns in 2021. The 432 yards passing is a career high. 

2. UTSA QB Frank Harris 

Result: 37-35 loss to Houston 

Stats: 28 of 43 passing for 337 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 63 rushing yards, 1 TD on eight carries 

The Roadrunners must rely on the passing game more in 2022 than in years past thanks to the departure of Sincere McCormick to the NFL. Harris looked fine with that added pressure in his first start of the season. He accounted for 399 yards and four scores in the triple-overtime loss to a ranked Cougars squad. Three of his receivers caught more than six passes, and two of those – Joshua Cephus and Zakhari Franklin – recorded at least 100 yards receiving. 

3. Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith 

Results: 31-0 win over Sam Houston  

Stats: 6 catches for 164 yards, 2 TDs

Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King clearly knows who his security blanket is. Smith led the team in catches, yards, and scores in the Week 1 win over Sam Houston in a game that was delayed multiple times due to bad weather. Smith accounted for 96 more receiving yards than anyone else on the team.

4. Houston LB Donavan Mutin 

Results: 37-35 win over UTSA 

Stats: 11 tackles (8 solo), 1 TFL 

The Houston defense bowed up over the last 20 minutes of gameplay in regulation to allow the struggling offense to get into gear and overcome a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit. UTSA only managed 10 points in the second half, and three of those came on a 29-second frenzy towards a field goal to force overtime. The Third Ward Defense was led by Mutin, who earned a team-high 11 tackles. The Roadrunners only averaged 2.05 yards a carry if quarterback runs are erased. The Houston front seven controlled much of the game and kept UTSA from building an insurmountable lead while the Houston offense limped to seven points through three quarters of play. 

5. Texas Tech QB Donovan Smith

Results: 63-10 win over Murray State 

Stats: 14 of 16 for 221 yards, 4 TDs 

Smith didn’t earn the starting job, but the Las Vegas native was thrust into the lineup when Tyler Shough was injured. Smith didn’t miss a beat. In fact, the Red Raiders offense improved with him at the helm. He completed 87.5 percent of his passes for over 220 yards and four scores. He didn’t throw and an interception and he wasn’t sacked. Smith spread the ball around, avoided mistakes, and looked locked in despite losing a hard-fought position battle. Texas Tech enters a crucial part of the schedule with Houston and N.C. State in the next two weeks. 

6. SMU WR Rashee Rice 

Results: 48-10 win over North Texas 

Stats: 8 catches for 166 yards, 1 TD 

Rice needs to be the no. 1 receiver for the Mustangs in 2022 with Danny Gray and Reggie Roberson Jr. off to the NFL. If Week 1 is any indication, Rice was built for that top spot. North Texas couldn’t cover Rice, and once he caught the ball, North Texas struggled to tackle him. His long was 54 yards and he averaged nearly 21 yards per reception. He was the only player with more than five catches. His eight receptions accounted for 35 percent of Mordecai’s 23 completions.

7. TCU LB Dee Winters 

Results: 38-13 win over Colorado 

Stats: 5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, 1 quarterback hit 

The Horned Frogs needed a bounce back season from star linebacker Dee Winters. He and the rest of his defensive teammates struggled in 2021. The unit impressed in an ugly win over Colorado. TCU led 7-6 at halftime without the offense scoring a single point. Winters led the defensive effort that kept the Horned Frogs in the game as new head coach Sonny Dykes figured out the offensive miscues. Winters filled the stat sheet with a versatile effort. TCU only allowed 3.9 yards a rush in the win. 

8. Baylor WR Monaray Baldwin 

Results: 69-10 win over Albany 

Stats: 4 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD; 2 rushes, 50 yards, 1 TD

Baylor’s chances to repeat as Big 12 champion rest largely on the Bears’ ability to replace production at the offensive skill positions. Baldwin looked like a reliable weapon for quarterback Blake Shapen and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. The sophomore from Killeen Shoemaker scored a rushing and receiving touchdown. His athleticism puts defenses on their heels.

9. Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

Result: 52-10 win over UL-Monroe

Stats: 6 catches for 85 yards, 1 touchdown 

The Longhorns need a third receiving weapon to team with Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington because Wyoming transfer Isaiah Neyor is injured and out for the season. But it doesn’t have to be a wide receiver. Sanders, a former five-star from Denton Ryan, looked poised for a breakout redshirt freshman campaign with team highs in receptions and yards in the Week 1 win over UL-Monroe. Texas went over a decade without a true difference maker at tight end. 

10. TCU WR Derius Davis 

Results: 38-13 win over Colorado

Stats: Punt return TD; 27-yard rushing TD; 2 catches, 25 yards 

The win over Colorado was ugly. The Horned Frogs only led 7-6 at the break because of a punt return touchdown by Davis, who added a rushing touchdown on his lone carry in the second half. The passing offense struggled in Dykes’ debut, even before starting quarterback Chandler Morris left with injury. Davis was the bright spot of the wide receiver group. The rest of TCU’s offensive success came at the running back position. 

11. Texas Tech DL Philip Blidi 

Results: 63-10 win over Murray State

Stats: 4 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks 

Texas Tech hired Tim DeRuyter as defensive coordinator to help the Red Raiders create havoc on defense. Blidi was an example of the playmaking defensive scheme DeRuyter plans to introduce to West Texas. Texas Tech rarely struggles to score points – and it won’t with Zach Kittley calling the plays – but a comparable defense rarely exists in Lubbock. That might change with Joey McGuire as head coach. Texas Tech played complimentary football in Week 1 and it’ll need that to beat Houston in Week 2.