Former Imhotep star Tykee Smith helps Georgia avert disaster in Missouri

While there were no major upsets involving the Associated Press college football top 10, both No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia received significant tests in games when they were heavy favorites. Especially the Bulldogs, who needed a fourth-quarter rally to escape with a road win over the lowly Missouri Tigers and as a result swapped places with the Crimson Tide from last week’s poll.

The Georgia defense was key in its victory, needing to make some late stops after trailing by two scores entering the fourth quarter, led by former Imhotep Charter star Tykee Smith. He tops our best performances from Philly-area college stars from the weekend.

» READ MORE: USC’s Eric Gentry leads Philly-area college football stars who stood out in Week 4

Opponent: Missouri

Stat line: Three tackles, one pass defended

Game recap: Starting at the nickel position in Georgia’s 26-22 win over Missouri, Smith provided sticky coverage all game long, making open-field tackles to help his defense get off the field on third downs. Late in the fourth quarter, with Missouri threatening, Smith showcased his coveted coverage skills to disrupt the timing on a route across the middle and was in position to make a play on the ball.

Each week, Smith looks more and more comfortable in Kirby Smart’s defense. His experience will be key in a back-loaded schedule that increases in difficulty starting at the end of the month with Florida, plus Tennessee and Kentucky in November. The junior who transferred from West Virginia seems to have his best football ahead of him.

Opponent: Arizona State

Stat line: Six tackles, 1½ tackles for losses, one-half sack

Game recap: Once again, Gentry led the way in tackles during USC’s blowout 42-25 win over his former team at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. In addition to being a consistent presence at the second level of the Trojans’ defense, Gentry, the former Neumann Goretti standout, used his explosiveness as an athlete to help bring down the quarterback while blitzing off the edge.

The sophomore’s ranginess will be valuable over the next two weeks for the Trojans as they face Pac-12 contenders Washington State and Utah, which both can put up a lot of points.

Opponent: No. 3 Ohio State

Stat line: 15 rushes for 79 yards

Game recap: Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown continues to gain the confidence of the coaching staff, even after their 49-10 loss to No. 3 Ohio State. The speedy freshman has an upright running style, but his vision is making significant strides and he came close to breaking a long run against the Buckeyes.

The former La Salle College High standout finished with career-highs in carries and yards, topping his previous highs against Wagner when he finished with 12 carries, 66 yards, and two scores. While Rutgers remains a work in progress, the offense looks like it will continue to rely on the young Brown as a a change of pace and an explosive option in the backfield.