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 10, the weekend of Nov. 1:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
West Virginia QB Scotty Fox Jr. (6-2, 213, Mentor, Ohio): 13/22, 157 yards, 1 TD; 10 rushes, 65 yards, 2 TD
Fox Jr.’s third career start yielded West Virginia’s first Big 12 win under first-year head coach Rich Rodrigues. Fox Jr. led the Mountaineers as they toppled No. 22 Houston by a 45-35 count. The true freshman put the game out of reach in the clutch, housing a 34-yard quarterback draw on fourth down in the fourth quarter. Fox Jr. can keep the momentum rolling when West Virginia hosts Colorado this Saturday.
North Texas RB Caleb Hawkins (6-2, 200, Shawnee, Okla.): 33 rushes, 197 yards, 4 TD; 3 receptions, 9 yards
Hawkins’ four-touchdown eruption led North Texas to a massive 31-17 win over Navy, keeping the Mean Green in contention for the American Conference title and the College Football Playoff. The true freshman rushed for three scores by halftime and scored every North Texas touchdown in the win. It was the second four-touchdown game of Hawkins’ career, following a 45-38 win at Army in September. Hawkins will have a week to rest before North Texas visits UAB on Nov. 15.
Ohio State QB Julian Sayin (6-1, 208, Carlsbad, Calif.): 20/23, 316 yards, 4 TD; 2 rushes, 13 yards
Sayin erupted for a second consecutive week, leading Ohio State to a 38-14 domination of Penn State. The redshirt freshman’s second straight four-touchdown game was incredibly efficient, too, as he averaged 13.7 yards per attempt on an 87% completion percentage. Sayin’s 2,188 yards passing is good for fourth in the Big Ten and 19th in the country. The Buckeyes can move to 9-0 with another explosive performance at Purdue on Saturday.
NC State RB Jayden Scott (5-10, 214, Stockbridge, Ga.): 24 rushes, 196 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 11 yards
Scott’s breakout game came at a wonderful time for North Carolina State as it upset No. 8 Georgia Tech 48-36. The redshirt freshman’s first 100-yard game helped the Wolfpack rush for 243 yards, the most any team has run on the Yellow Jackets this season. Scott’s only touchdown also sealed the win, as he ripped off a 30-yard score for a late 18-point lead.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Jason Eck, New Mexico: Eck’s Lobos pulled a slight upset of UNLV in a 40-35 statement win. Eck led New Mexico to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016 and beat UNLV for the first time since 2018. Quarterback Jack Layne led the offense with 342 yards passing and three touchdowns while Eck’s son, Jaxton, led the defense with 13 total tackles. Eck and New Mexico have the week off to prepare for Colorado State on Nov. 15.
Matt Entz, Fresno State: Entz’s Bulldogs claimed one of the top upsets of the weekend, thumping 17.5-point favorite Boise State 30-7. Fresno State and Boise State traded touchdowns early before Entz’s defense locked down and the Bulldogs scored 23 unanswered points the rest of the game. Three different Bulldogs scored rushing touchdowns while Fresno State held Boise State to 193 total yards and three turnovers. Entz and the Bulldogs have the week off to prepare for Wyoming on Nov. 15.
Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State: Mack just led the Owls to their first FBS bowl eligibility in program history. Kennesaw State handled UTEP 33-20 Tuesday night for its sixth straight win. The Owls outscored the Miners 10-0 in the fourth quarter to put the game away, including a rushing touchdown from Chase Belcher, who finished 113 yards on the ground. Mack and the Owls will have extended rest by the time they visit New Mexico State on Saturday.
Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia: Rodriguez earned the first Big 12 victory of his second tenure at West Virginia in a 45-35 upset of then-No. 22 Houston. The Mountaineers were 13.5-point underdogs entering the win, which snapped a five-game losing streak dating back to mid-September. West Virginia won the turnover battle 4-0, including an 80-yard, go-ahead pick-six from Jordan Scruggs. Rodriguez, who needs to win out to make a bowl in Year One, hosts Colorado this Saturday.
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.