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 7, the weekend of Oct. 11:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Mason Heintschel, QB, Pitt (6-2, 215, Oregon, Ohio): 21/29, 321 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 16 rushes, 64 yards
Heintschel’s first collegiate road start wasn’t perfect, but he led Pittsburgh to a 34-31 upset of No. 25 Florida State. The true freshman had the Panther offense dealing blows all afternoon, including 13 points in the fourth quarter. Heintschel has 51 completions for 644 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions through two starts. Heintschel has also led Pitt to consecutive ACC wins and will try to get a third at Syracuse on Saturday.
King Miller, RB, USC (6-0, 210, Calabasas, Calif.): 18 rushes, 158 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 14 yards
Miller, a walk-on, led USC to its best win of the season, a 31-13 upset of No. 15 Michigan. The redshirt freshman hammered Michigan’s vaunted defensive front, averaging over 8.7 yards per carry. Miller sent a message to start the second half, scoring a 15-yard rushing touchdown on the Trojans' first drive of the third quarter. USC would love to see Miller run wild again on Saturday against another tough run defense at Notre Dame.
Andrew Marsh, WR, Michigan (6-0, 190, Katy, Texas): 8 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD
Marsh had more receiving yards than the rest of his team combined for in Michigan’s 31-13 loss to USC. It was a breakout game for the true freshman, who had five catches for 110 receiving yards on the season before last Saturday. Marsh flashed his breakaway speed with a 69-yard touchdown catch, torching the USC secondary after making one defender miss. Marsh aims to show out again when Washington visits Ann Arbor this Saturday.
Jeremiah Koger, WR, South Florida (6-3, 209, Baltimore, Md.): 4 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TD
Koger helped South Florida dominate North Texas 63-36 on national television Friday night. The true freshman’s touchdown catches of 14 and 63 yards helped bury the Mean Green in a postseason resume-building win. Koger also impressed in his collegiate debut last week, snagging four catches for 75 yards and a score. Koger and the Bulls will try to move to 6-1 with a win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Eddie George, Bowling Green: George’s Falcons entered Saturday as 10-point underdogs and left with a 28-23 rivalry win over Toledo. Bowling Green trailed 21-0 halfway through the..second quarter before outscoring the Rockets 21-2 in the second half. Freshman running back Cameron Pettaway shined as a receiver, hauling in two catches for 118 yards and two..touchdowns. George will try to earn his first winning streak this Saturday when Central Michigan visits.
Tony Gibson, Marshall: Gibson’s Thundering Herd opened as 10.5-point underdogs and shocked Old Dominion with a 48-24 beatdown. Marshall went off for 34 points in the two middle quarters to take control of the game. The Thundering Herd also forced five turnovers and committed none in the win. Gibson will coach the underdog again this Saturday against 5.5-point favorite Texas State.
Zack Kittley, Florida Atlantic: Kittley’s Owls covered their 5.5-point spread and then some, dominating UAB, 53-33. Florida Atlantic’s electric offense scored 35 points in a first half that included a 48-yard touchdown pass from a running back. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp led the way with 20 completions for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Kittley can shock the country with a third conference win on Saturday when the Owls visit No. 19 South Florida.
Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State: Perhaps no one in college football has had a more impressive October than Kennesaw State so far. Mack’s Owls just won their fourth straight game, a 35-7..win over Louisiana Tech. Quarterback Dexter Williams II was electric, completing 27 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Mack has already led Kennesaw State to its best start since joining FBS, but the Owls can claim their first road win of the season, at FIU on Oct. 21.
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, 2026, 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.