Week 8 featured several standout performances and important conference matchups for quarterbacks in the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award race. Here’s a look at how each candidate performed.
ROCCO BECHT | PENN STATE
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CJ CARR | NOTRE DAME
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DEVON DAMPIER | UTAH
vs. Houston | W, 21–13
18-of-26 passing | 204 yards | 0 TD | 2 INT
15 rushes | 150 yards | 2 TD
NOAH FIFITA | ARIZONA
vs. Iowa State | W, 39–3
27-of-34 passing | 308 yards | 2 TD | 0 INT
KEVIN JENNINGS | SMU
vs. California | W, 59–20
16-of-23 passing | 223 yards | 3 TD | 0 INT
AVERY JOHNSON | KANSAS STATE
at Arizona State | L, 28–17
DNP — Injury
Johnson did not play, ending a streak of 32 consecutive starts for Kansas State.
SAM LEAVITT | LSU
at Auburn | W, 38–17
32-of-45 passing | 387 yards | 3 TD | 0 INT
54 rushing yards | 1 TD
JAYDEN MAIAVA | USC
at Wisconsin | L, 24–7
31-of-50 passing | 258 yards | 1 TD | 2 INT
ARCH MANNING | TEXAS
vs. Ole Miss | W, 34–27
18-of-30 passing | 212 yards | 1 TD | 2 INT
8 rushes | 2 yards | 2 TD
DREW MESTEMAKER | OKLAHOMA STATE
vs. Colorado | W, 57–24
21-of-36 passing | 386 yards | 4 TD | 0 INT
DANTE MOORE | OREGON
at Illinois | L, 21–10
DNP — Concussion
Moore missed his third consecutive game while recovering from the concussion he suffered against USC.
JULIAN SAYIN | OHIO STATE
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GUNNER STOCKTON | GEORGIA
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CONNER WEIGMAN | HOUSTON
at Utah | L, 21–13
19-of-35 passing | 282 yards | 0 TD | 0 INT
DEMOND WILLIAMS JR. | WASHINGTON
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