Sportsvival had a tough job picking this week's Impact HVAC Player of the Week. In a game defined by a stout Notre Dame secondary and a few explosive plays, Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver claimed the honor after hauling in 7 receptions for 207 yards and one touchdown in a 38–31 Aggies victory. Craver’s ability to turn short completions into chunk gains and to take the top off the defense created critical field-flipping moments throughout the contest.
Through two games, Craver has produced several big plays, providing a reliable deep threat and forcing opponents to defend vertically. His 207-yard game has put him on the scouting radar.
Quarterback Marcel Reed and Craver have shown that they are on the same page and offer an explosive combination. Several third-down conversions and a 62-yard touchdown, where Craver out-ran his coverage after the catch, shifted momentum late in the third quarter and set the stage for Texas A&M’s stunner. Craver’s speed and contested-catch ability make him a matchup problem that defenses can’t ignore.
Several other players were finalists for this week’s award after eye-catching stat lines:
Ryan Williams (WR, Alabama): 5 receptions, 165 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Behren Morton (QB, Texas Tech): 23-of-35 passing, 464 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception.
Davhon Keys (LB, LSU): 14 tackles, 0.5 sack.
Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee): 6 receptions, 177 yards, 3 touchdowns.
While each finalist delivered high-impact performances, Craver’s combination of explosive yardage, timing with his quarterback, and a game-changing touchdown set him apart. His emergence gives Texas A&M an increasingly dangerous vertical option as the season moves into tougher conference play.
(photo courtesy of darnews.com)