DALLAS (FWAA) – This is the the Week 2 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.
The Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award, presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, goes to the best first-year coach (at his school) in FBS football at the conclusion of the season.
The recipient of the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach, the FWAA Freshman of the Year and the Steve Spurrier Legends Coach will be honored at a special reception on Feb. 24, 2025 in Gainesville, Fla.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Eli Holstein, QB, Pitt (6-4, 225, Zachary, La.): 20/35, 302 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 10 rushes, 36 yards
Holstein and the Panther offense shocked Cincinnati Saturday night, erasing a 27-6 deficit en route to a 28-27 win. Holstein threw touchdown passes on three straight drives before setting up a go-ahead field goal with 17 seconds remaining. The redshirt freshman has thrown for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in both starts of his young career. Holstein will try to do it again – perhaps with a little extra flair – when bitter rival West Virginia visits at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
DJ Lagway, QB, Florida (6-3, 239, Willis, Texas): 18/25, 456 yards, 3 TD; 5 rushes, 16 yards
Lagway shattered Florida’s freshman single-game passing yards record (previously 268) as the Gators handled Samford, 45-7. The true freshman flashed big play ability, tossing for touchdowns of 36, 41, and 85 yards. Lagway, widely-considered the top quarterback recruit in the 2024 class, is building a case to stay atop the depth chart even after incumbent starter Graham Mertz returns from injury. The Gators’ next opponent, Texas A&M, would offer Lagway a much tougher challenge at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Nick Marsh, WR, Michigan State (6-3, 209, Detroit, Mich.): 8 receptions, 194 yards, 1 TD
Now his team’s leading receiver through two weeks, Marsh exploded in Michigan State’s 27-24 win over Maryland. The true freshman’s biggest play came with four minutes left in the game, as Marsh burned the Terrapin secondary on a game-tying 77-yard touchdown. Marsh’s catch set up a game-winning field goal on State’s next possession, giving first-year coach Jonathan Smith his first Big Ten win. Marsh can pad his statistics more on Saturday when the Spartans face Prairie View at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 215, Miami Gardens, Fla.): 5 receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD
Smith continues to prove the recruiting industry correct, as the 2024 class’ top receiver led the Buckeyes in receiving again in a 56-0 win over Western Michigan. Smith made his presence known early with an eye-popping 70-yard touchdown catch where he beat six surrounding defenders to the end zone. The true freshman leads Ohio State’s uber-talented wide receiver room in catches (11), yards (211) and touchdowns (3) through two weeks. Smith will rest with no game this weekend before trying to strengthen his lead against Marshall next Saturday.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Fran Brown, Syracuse: Brown’s first ACC win stopped a rolling Georgia Tech team right in its tracks, 31-28. The Orange offense appeared to move at will, amassing over 500 total yards in the program’s first top 25 win since 2022. Ohio State transfer quarterback Kyle McCord led the way with 381 yards and four touchdowns on 32 completions. Syracuse does not play this week but will set its eyes on welcoming Stanford to the ACC at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 20.
Curt Cignetti, Indiana: Indiana’s offense took Friday night’s headlines after a 77-3 beatdown of Western Illinois. The Hoosiers’ 77 points and 701 yards of total offense both set school records, while Cignetti became the fourth Indiana coach since 1948 to win his first two games. Senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke set the offensive tone, completing 15-of-17 passed with 268 yards and two touchdowns. Indiana will travel to face new Big Ten member UCLA at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Bill O’Brien, Boston College: Boston College followed its upset of then-No. 10-ranked Florida State with a resounding 56-0 win over Duquesne. O’Brien’s offense took a 42-0 lead into halftime and coasted from there, totaling 563 yards of offense in the win. The Eagles dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for 306 yards while allowing just 60. Boston College will fight for another top 10 upset this week when it visits No. 6 Missouri at 12:45 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Jonathan Smith, Michigan State: Spartan kicker Jonathan Kim nailed a game-sealing field goal in the final seconds to give Smith his first Big Ten win over Maryland, 27-24. Michigan State overcame three turnovers, totaling 493 yards of offense in the win. Smith is already seeing positive change on the field, as the Spartans won their first conference opener since 2021. Michigan State has the chance to fine-tune itself this Saturday against Prairie View before visiting Boston College on Sept. 21.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.