Diego Pavia’s Heisman pose tops college football Week 8 superlatives
Week 8 had everything imaginable in a college football slate.
There were acrobatic catches, Heisman poses, left-handed completions, successful fake punts and, of course, trolling. Louisville coach Jeff Brohm bolstered his underdog resume, Minnesota’s conservative punt paid off and California’s mascot dealt a blow to Bill Belichick and North Carolina.
Given our busy schedule, we’ve doled out several non-traditional superlatives for Week 8.
The scariest coach to face in the AP top 5? : Jeff Brohm
Louisville entered Hard Rock Stadium unranked and with a seven-game losing streak against AP Top 5 opponents as undefeated Miami awaited. The No. 2-seeded Hurricanes were double-digit favorites; however, history and the betting market have failed to account for Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm.
Brohm enjoyed improbable success as an underdog. Before Friday, he had three wins as an unranked opponent against an AP top 5 opponent. He improved that mark to four after Louisville stunned Miami 24-21. Brohm is 4-4 against a top-5 team, marking his first such victory with the Cardinals.
Louisville’s schedule does not currently include a similar game. But if everything recovers, Brohm will be back in his element.
Best demonstration of the Heisman pose: Diego Pavia
Vanderbilt beat LSU at home in a declared victory for the program – and Diego Pavia’s Heisman case. Pavia threw for 160 yards and a score, and he added two rushing touchdowns. He is the second Vanderbilt quarterback in the last 20 seasons with multiple rushing touchdowns against an AP top 10 opponent.
The senior quarterback has 1,409 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions this season. It’s never too early for Pavie to make a push for the Heisman — he entered the game at 150-1 odds to win the award, according to ESPN BET — and he made the most of it on Saturday.
After scoring a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, Pavie struck a pose.
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia hit the Heisman and paid tribute to Johnny Manziel 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ukQZ67VIDs
– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) October 18, 2025
Best use of their non-dominant hand: Dylan Raiola
Minnesota’s defense stifled Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, sacking the sophomore nine times Friday, the Golden Gophers’ most in a game since 1977. Under pressure throughout the game, Raiola had to get creative to get the ball out at times.
He displayed perfect execution on second and six early in the second quarter. While executing a bootleg play-action pass, Golden Gophers linebacker Maverick Baranowski rushed Raiola as he began to move to his right. Raiola then stopped, avoided the sack, moved the ball to his non-dominant left hand and delivered a strike to tight end Luke Lindenmeyer 18 yards.
⬅️➡️⬆️⬇️pic.twitter.com/bEzp1MYwGz
– Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) October 18, 2025
Least likely to go all-in in a card game: Minnesota
In an era of fourth-down aggression, driven by analytics, Minnesota returned to simpler times against Nebraska.
The Golden Gophers held a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter after forcing a three-and-out. They received the ball at their 38-yard line, gained nearly 10 yards then kicked a fourth-down from the 47. (Don’t tell Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell.)
The call for conservative play proved correct. Minnesota beat Nebraska 24-6.
Every capture counts in a game, and it doesn’t matter how it’s taken. Just ask Tulane wide receiver Shazz Preston and Duke wide receiver Jake Taylor.
Tulane was on the verge of defeat until Jake Retzlaff sent a pass in Preston’s direction. An Army defender deflected the ball, sending it into the end zone, where Preston juggled it and then got the go-ahead touchdown.
OUT OF THE BOBBLE FOR THE SCORE 😱 pic.twitter.com/jQ9IWroAf3
– ESPN College Football (@ESPNFCB) October 18, 2025
With the Blue Devils facing a third-and-3 late in the second half against No. 12 Georgia Tech, quarterback Darian Mensah fired a strike toward Taylor.
The ball bounced off Taylor’s hands and helmet in front of him, prompting the wide receiver to tip the ball in the air with his right hand toward the sideline. The ball flew past Georgia Tech defensive back Jon Mitchell as Taylor dove for the 4-yard grab.
He tipped himself for the capture 😱 pic.twitter.com/eGjfQBZuHi
– ESPN College Football (@ESPNFCB) October 18, 2025
Fake Punt of the Week: Indiana State
When you’re playing one of the best teams in the FCS, any trick is possible, including fake punts.
Indiana State hosted undefeated North Dakota State and made a statement early. Facing a fourth-and-2 deep in their territory, the Sycamores brought out the punting unit. But they weren’t planning on kicking.
Punter Harry Traum ran the ball 18 yards, shifting momentum toward Indiana State. The risk paid off as the Sycamores scored a touchdown to end the drive. North Dakota State won 38-7.
Here is this man!
Harry Traum returns the punt and takes it 18 yards for the first down near midfield.#MarchOn | #LeaveWithoutDoubt pic.twitter.com/khChvA6Ibn
— Indiana State Football (@IndStFB) October 18, 2025
Safest Job Security in America: Cal’s Mascot
North Carolina’s opponents have found ways to troll the program and Bill Belichick this season. California took it to another level in its 21-18 victory Friday and used its mascot, Oski the Bear.
The Tar Heels appeared to be headed for a late lead as they set up shop in the red zone. Quarterback Gio Lopez found Nathan Leacock for 12 yards, but when Leacock went to cross the goal line to score, Cal defensive back Brent Austin punched the ball for possession.
The Golden Bears immediately trolled, posting a “statement” from Oski on the jumbotron that read: “I am fully committed to Cal athletics and the program we are building here. Why do you ask?” Below was a statement from Cal leadership that read: “Oski has our full support. No, really, we think so. Otherwise, why would we make this statement?
The fake quotes referenced an Oct. 8 article, in which Belichick said he was “fully committed to UNC football and the program we’re building here.” The UNC athletic director added that Belichick has the “full support” of the administration.
