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 8, the weekend of Oct. 18:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Massachusetts RB Brandon Hood (5-10, 200, McDonough, Ga.): 24 rushes, 179 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 8 yards
Hood’s carries more than doubled last Saturday, and he made them count with the most explosive game of his young career. The redshirt freshman’s single-game best entering UMass’ 28-21 loss to Buffalo last Saturday was 39 yards on 11 rushes. Hood displayed patience, vision and home-run speed on a 90-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He will try lead the Minutemen to their first win of the season when they visit Central Michigan on Saturday.
Troy S Joe Lott (6-3, 190, Mobile, Ala.): 2 INT, 1 TD, 67 return yards
The first two interceptions of Lott’s career helped Troy beat UL Monroe 37-14 as the Trojans moved to 3-0 in conference play. The freshman safety’s second interception was the most memorable, as he jumped in front of a long screen pass around midfield and scampered into the end zone to seal the win. Lott’s first interception set the tone for Troy’s strong finish, as it gave the Trojans the ball on the UL Monroe 15-yard line to start the fourth quarter. Lott will try to ball hawk again when Louisiana visits this Saturday.
Eastern Michigan WR Harold Mack (5-11, 158, Fort Wayne, Ind.): 6 receptions, 179 yards, 2 TD; 1 rush, 1 yard
Mack’s receiving stat line is impressive enough before considering it’s the first statistics of his college career. The true freshman caught the first six targets of his career and, despite a 44-30 loss to Miami of Ohio, helped the Eastern Michigan offense explode. The speedy deep threat’s first college score came on a 51-yard touchdown catch where he beat his defender on a deep route by several yards. Mack will try to keep the explosive start alive when Eastern Michigan hosts Ohio on Saturday.
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood (6-4, 228, Belleville, Mich,): 21/27, 230 yards, 2 TD; 7 rushes, 25 yards
Underwood led Michigan to a 24-7 bounceback win over Washington last Saturday. The true freshman’s touchdown passes took the lead in the first quarter and secured it in the fourth. Underwood built a lead with accuracy and timing in the short passing game, but he also sealed the win with several longer completions against tight coverage. Underwood can endear himself to Wolverine fans even more with a rivalry win at Michigan State this Saturday.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Tony Gibson, Marshall: Gibson’s Thundering Herd did upset Texas State, but the most impressive part of the 40-37 win was that it happened in double overtime. Marshall and Texas State traded blows throughout regulation before Gibson’s defense forced a field goal and Jo’Shon Barbie scored a walk-off touchdown. Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson led the Thundering Herd with 277 yards passing and another 88 yards on the ground. Gibson has a bye this week to prepare for an Oct. 30 trip to Coastal Carolina.
Charles Kelly, Jax State: Kelly’s Gamecocks upset three-point favorite Delaware 38-25 with an electric start. Jacksonville State led 21-6 by halftime and never relinquished control in its third straight conference win. Freshman quarterback Caden Creel led Kelly’s offense with 116 yards through the air and another 57 on the ground. Jacksonville State has the week off to prepare for a trip to Middle Tennessee State on Oct. 29.
Frank Reich, Stanford: Reich and the Cardinal claimed another impressive ACC upset on Saturday, toppling Florida State 20-13. Stanford won the game on a goal line stand on the game’s last play, an untimed down. Linebacker Matt Rose sniffed out a shovel pass and tackled the Seminoles mere inches away from the end zone to seal the win. Stanford is halfway to an improbable bowl berth with a trip to Miami up next on Saturday.
Willie Simmons, FIU: Simmons’ Panthers shut down 10-point favorite Western Kentucky in a 25-6 conference win. Florida International bullied the Hilltoppers at the line of scrimmage, rushing for 249 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries. The Panthers also forced three turnovers while committing none in the win. Simmons can take down another top-shelf conference team when the Panthers host Kennesaw State Tuesday night.
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.