Football Writers Association of America News
Kentucky's Weaver nominated for Orange Bowl Courage Award
Kentucky’s J.J. Weaver is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Weaver, a sixth-year senior, has become a leader in the mental health space, particularly with grieving children, after dealing with several devastating setbacks in both his football and personal life.
Indiana's Ponds is Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week
Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds grabbed two interceptions last Saturday, taking one of them to the house to open the scoring during the Hoosiers’ 31-17 win over Washington. For his first multi-interception game that helped Indiana stay undefeated at 8-0, Ponds earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games played the weekend of Oct. 26, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
Colorado State's Gardner is Outland Trophy National Player of the Week
Colorado State center Jacob Gardner helped keep the Rams at the top of the Mountain West standings Saturday, guiding his team to a 17-6 win over New Mexico. For his FBS-high blocking grades and consistent play for CSU, Gardner earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 26, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
2024 Freshman Focus: Week 9
This is the the Week 9 installment of the Football Writers Association of America's weekly Freshman Focus for the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Freshman Player of the Year and the 2024 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.
Kennesaw State is Cheez-It National Team of the Week
The Kennesaw State Owls knocked off previously-undefeated Liberty for their first win of the season last Wednesday, frustrating Conference USA’s top rushing team while rolling up season-high yardage of its own in a 27-24 win. For gaining its first FBS victory in front of its home fans, Kennesaw State earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games the weekend of Oct. 26, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.
Fake field goal earns BYU the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week
Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. BYU is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 9.
FWAA's Mid-Season, First-Year Defensive, Offensive Stars Revealed
FWAA Freshman Players of the Year Nominees
Mid-Season Watch List named for Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award
Eight Coaches on Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach, Mid-Season Watch List
Kansas' Bryant is Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week
Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant tied a single-game school record with three interceptions in the Jayhawks’ 42-14 win over Houston, becoming just the seventh Big 12 Conference player to accomplish the feat. For his takeaway tenacity, Bryant earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 19, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
Army's Gennarelli is Outland Trophy National Player of the Week
Offensive guard Paolo Gennarelli graded high among all guards across the country last Saturday and guided the Army West Point Black Knights to another win, this one a 45-28 home win over East Carolina. For lead blocking creating holes for both a 100-yard-rushing quarterback and running back, Gennarelli earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 19, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
Fake punt earns Illinois the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week
Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. Illinois is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 8.
2024 Freshman Focus: Week 8
This is the the Week 8 installment of the Football Writers Association of America's weekly Freshman Focus for the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Freshman Player of the Year and the 2024 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.
Georgia is Cheez-It National Team of the Week
The Georgia Bulldogs, the nation's top-ranked team earlier in the season, went into Austin Saturday night and put on a defensive show to knock off top-ranked Texas. For its 30-15 road win in front of a stadium-record crowd of 105,215 that featured seven sacks and four forced turnovers, Georgia (6-1) earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games played the weekend of Oct. 19, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.
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Quit complaining about college football
Navy's Abraham nominated for Orange Bowl Courage Award
Navy’s Kush’i Abraham is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Abraham, a sophomore safety, was homeless during different parts of his childhood and overcame an unstable upbringing to become a member of the Naval Academy’s football team.
Arizona State's McCullough Is Bronko Nagurski Trophy National Defensive Player of the Week
Arizona State linebacker Caleb McCullough finished with a career-high 12 tackles and impacted the Sun Devils’ 27-19 win over No. 16 Utah with two interceptions last Friday. For keying ASU’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2019, McCullough earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games played the weekend of Oct. 12, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
Texas' Banks Jr. is Outland Trophy National Player of the Week
Offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was a force up front for Texas on Saturday as the top-ranked Longhorns pushed aside No. 18 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, 34-3. For having the offensive line’s highest individual grade that helped produce 406 total yards, Banks earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 12, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
Trick play touchdown earns Penn State the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week
Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. Penn State is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 7.
Oregon is Cheez-It National Team of the Week
The Oregon Ducks came from behind twice in the fourth quarter – capped by a game-winning 19-yard field goal from Atticus Sappington – to take down Ohio State, 32-31, in a top-five clash of Big Ten and national title contenders Saturday. For grabbing the win in front of a stadium-record 60,129 fans, the Ducks (6-0) earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games played the weekend of Oct. 12, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.
2024 Freshman Focus: Week 7
This is the the Week 7 installment of the Football Writers Association of America's weekly Freshman Focus for the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Freshman Player of the Year and the 2024 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.