Auburn, Michigan get help from unsung players

This week's stock report is filled with offensive players who helped or hurt their teams' chances in Week 3.

Updated: September 21, 2006, 4:25 PM ET

By Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.

The opportunity is there every Saturday. Some players seize it. Others let it slide away. Here's a look at the players who shined or slipped in Week 3:

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Prescott Burgess, OLB, Michigan
It is difficult to single out one individual from a Michigan team that dominated Notre Dame in all facets of the game Saturday. After all, quarterback Chad Henne had his best outing of the young season, wide receiver Mario Manningham hauled in three touchdown catches and Mike Hart rushed for 124 yards on 31 carries. However, the player who came up the biggest in my opinion was Burgess. The 6-foot-3, 246-pound outside linebacker set the tone early with a first-quarter interception return for a touchdown, and went on to notch five tackles, a sack and another interception. Burgess had been considered a bit of an underachiever during his first three seasons but that label was lifted after the senior's stellar four-quarter showing in South Bend.

Will Herring, OLB, Auburn
Herring was one of many standouts for an Auburn defense that stymied LSU in its 7-3 victory. Five LSU drives into Auburn territory ended with no points and LSU finished the game with just 42 rushing yards. Herring, who has made a seamless transition from strong safety to outside linebacker this season, finished with a team-high six tackles, including 1½ for loss.

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