By Jack Leo
DALLAS (FWAA) – Each week during the 2025 season, we will highlight the notable
performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual
Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award
presented by Chris Doering Mortgage.
For the fifth straight year the top first-year coach in the FBS will be honored at a special reception Feb. 23, 2026 at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, Fla. The Spurrier Legends Awardee Coach and Freshmen Players of the Year will also be honored.
Here are the top performances from Week 4, the weekend of Sept. 20:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Dallas Golden, CB, Notre Dame (6-0, 187, Tampa, Fla.): 5 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 pass defended,
1 INT
Golden’s first career interception left an exclamation point on Notre Dame’s first win of the
season, a 56-30 domination of Purdue. The true freshman’s performance is particularly
impressive considering it was his college debut and he was asked to play 70 defensive snaps.
Golden filled in for reigning FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year Leonard Moore, who was
sidelined with an ankle injury. Golden could be asked to step up again this Saturday when the
Fighting Irish visit Arkansas.
Will Hammond, QB, Texas Tech (6-2, 205, Austin, Tx.): 13/16, 169 yards, 2 TD; 8 rushes, 61
yards
Hammond didn’t start the game, but he helped Texas Tech finish it with a 34-10 win at Utah.
The redshirt freshman entered the game early in the third quarter — when the struggling offense
held a 10-3 lead — after starting quarterback Behren Morton took a tough hit to the head.
Hammond appeared to settle in by the start of the fourth quarter, as he led Texas Tech to 24
points in the last four drives. Morton has a good chance to return for Texas Tech’s next game
on Oct. 4, but Hammond could make a case for more playing time as the season continues.
Caleb Hawkins, RB, North Texas (6-2, 200, Shawnee, Okla.): 13 rushes, 99 yards, 4 TD; 2
receptions, 14 yards
Hawkins scored the first and last touchdowns of North Texas’ overtime victory at Army. The true
freshman saw career-highs in carries, yards and touchdowns in the win. Hawkins’ bruising build
makes him a strong presence in the power run game, creating plenty of opportunities for short-
yardage scores. Hawkins can help the Mean Green start 5-0 for the first time since 1977 against
South Alabama this Saturday.
Khobie Martin, RB, Indiana (6-0, 208, Fishers, Ind.): 12 rushes, 107 yards, 2 TD
Martin’s second-straight 100-yarId, two-touchdown game helped Indiana demolish then-No. 9-
ranked Illinois, 63-10. The redshirt freshman scored Indiana’s last two touchdowns, but he got to
make history with his first one. Martin’s 31-yard rushing touchdown to take a 56-10 lead marked
the most points Indiana has ever scored against an AP top-10 opponent. Next up at Iowa this Saturday.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Scott Abell, Rice: Abell’s Owls were 2.5-point favorites and earned a decisive 28-17 Thursday
night win over Charlotte. Rice dominated the line of scrimmage, out-rushing Charlotte 255-75
and averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Abell has Rice at 1-0 in the American Conference and 3-1
overall for the first time since 2001. The Owls can jump to 4-1 this Saturday with a win at Navy.
Scott Frost, UCF: Frost and the Knights claimed a statement 34-9 win over North Carolina,
their first Power 4 opponent this season. UCF held the Tar Heels to just 217 yards of total
offense with two interceptions. Quarterback Tayven Jackson led the offensive effort with 289
total yards and two touchdowns. UCF can improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2018 at Kansas
State on Saturday.
Tre Lamb, Tulsa: Lamb led the Golden Hurricane to a 19-12 win over Oklahoma State in what
might have been the most historic victory of the weekend. Tulsa won at Oklahoma State for the
first time since 1951 in a defensive brawl. Lamb’s defense proved superior, allowing just four
third down conversions in 15 attempts. Tulsa will try to take its momentum home this weekend
as Group of Five powerhouse Tulane comes to town.
Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State: Mack’s Owls entered Saturday as 4.5-point underdogs and left
with their second consecutive win. Kennesaw State exploded out to a 21-0 lead and held the
Red Wolves off the rest of the way. Quarterback Amari Odom threw for 308 yards and a
touchdown while rushing for another 101 yards and a touchdown. Mack will try to extend his
winning streak to three games against Middle Tennessee this weekend.
For more information on attending or sponsoring the Fifth Annual reception at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille for the Steve Spurrier First-Year and Legend Coach plus Freshman Player of the Year awards on Monday, Feb. 23, please contact Tricia Garzon of the JAG Agency at 352-214-2331. The media contact for the Freshman All-America Team is committee chairman and FWAA member Mike Griffith, contacted at 770-845-3244 and mikegriffith032@gmail.com.
Chris Doering Mortgage, based in Gainesville, Fla., was established in April 2007 as a residential lending company providing mortgage products including conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans. The branch is a division of MortgageAdvisors.com – 3940 NW 16th Blvd., Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32605 – NMLS 70168/1937321. FHA Lender ID 2631500094. For more information, visit ChrisDoeringMortgage.com. College football analyst Chris Doering, a former wide receiver for Coach Spurrier both in college and the NFL, serves as the branch manager.
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.