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 13, the weekend of Nov. 22:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker (6-4, 211, Austin, Texas): 19/23, 469 yards, 3 TD; 2 rushes, 1 yard, 1 TD
Mestemaker led North Texas to its fifth consecutive win, a 56-24 beatdown of Rice. The redshirt freshman logged his fifth game this season with at least four touchdowns, and the Mean Green kept the top spot in the American Conference standings. Mestemaker leads all FBS freshmen in yards passing (3,469) and total touchdowns (31). North Texas can clinch a spot in the conference championship game with a win over Temple on Friday.
Miami WR Malachi Toney (5-11, 188, Liberty City, Fla.): 12 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD; 3 rushes, 16 yards
Toney’s lethal combination of explosiveness and pure speed helped Miami torch Virginia Tech’s secondary in a 34-17 win. The true freshman’s most impressive grab of the day was his last, a 20-yard touchdown where he did his best Randy Moss impression over a defender in tight coverage. Toney logged his third game over 100 yards this season. Toney and the Hurricanes will try to roll in another cold environment when they visit Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Pitt RB Ja’Kryian Turner (5-9, 180, Wildwood, Fla.): 21 rushes, 201 yards, 1 TD; 4 receptions, 12 yards
Turner helped Pitt pull off a signature 42-28 win at Georgia Tech with his first 200-yard game. The true freshman averaged over 9.5 yards per carry with a combination of agility and eye-popping power. Turner sealed the win with a 56-yard touchdown run through the heart of the Tech defense, putting the Panthers out of reach. Turner faces a tougher task this Saturday as Pitt hosts Miami, which boasts the ACC’s top run defense.
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood (6-4, 228, Detroit, Mich.): 16/23, 215 passing, 2 TD; 8 rushes, 20 yards
Underwood led Michigan to a 45-20 win over Maryland with another efficient performance. The true freshman led the Wolverines’ offense as it built a 21-10 lead by halftime and pulled away in the third quarter. Underwood has kept Michigan in contention for the Big Ten title and the College Football Playoff going into rivalry week. Underwood can etch himself into Michigan lore early in his career with a home upset of top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Tre Lamb, Tulsa: Lamb led the Golden Hurricane to its first conference win this season, upsetting 10.5-point favorite Army, 26-25. Tulsa outscored Army 12-0 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback win, including a go-ahead field goal with 27 seconds remaining. Running back Dominic Richardson led the way against Army’s physical defense, rushing for 203 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Tulsa can finish the season on a three-game winning streak against UAB on Saturday.
Bronco Mendenhall, Utah State: Mendenhall’s Aggies trailed Fresno State, 17-7, at halftime before outscoring the Bulldogs 21-0 in the second half for a 28-17 win. Running back Javen Jacobs ripped off touchdown runs of 32 and 19 yards in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Mendenhall’s defense only allowed three third-down conversions in Fresno State’s 14 attempts. Utah State earned bowl eligibility with the win and will end the regular season with an upset opportunity as Boise State visits on Friday.
Dan Mullen, UNLV: Mullen’s Rebels picked up their third straight win in dominant fashion, thumping Hawaii 38-10. UNLV shut Hawaii out in the second half and the Rebel offense put the game away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea was an efficient 21-of-26 passing for 253 yards and three touchdowns in the win. UNLV is expected to end the season with another dominant win as it visits a struggling Nevada team on Saturday.
Frank Reich, Stanford: Reich’s Cardinal snagged a slight upset over 3.5-point favorite Cal in dominant fashion. Stanford beat its bitter rival 31-10 thanks to a dominant second half. The Cardinal outscored the Golden Bears 17-0 in the second half to pull away for its third ACC win. Stanford can shock the world Saturday night with a primetime win over Notre Dame.
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.