DALLAS (FWAA) – Each week during the 2026 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 sixth straight year, the top first-year coach in the FBS will be honored at a special reception at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, Fla. The Spurrier Legends Awardee Coach and Freshman Players of the Year will also be honored.
Here are the top performances from Week 3, the weekend of Sept. 19:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Vanderbilt QB Jared Curtis (6-3, 230, Dickson, Tenn.): 20/34, 277 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 12 rushes, 64 yards
Curtis and the Commodores slowly chipped away at a 17-point deficit, setting up one of the wildest finishes in recent history. Vanderbilt scored just seven points in the first half before Curtis sparked the comeback with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. Curtis also flashed dual-threat ability, averaging over five yards per carry in the win. Curtis will face his first road test this Saturday at Auburn.
Pittsburgh RB Damon Ferguson Jr. (5-11, 190, Gwynn Oak, Md.): 10 rushes, 102 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 2 yards
High preseason expectations around Ferguson’s role in the backfield were validated on Saturday. Ferguson led the Panthers in rushing yards for the second straight week and eclipsed 100 yards for the first time in his young career. Pittsburgh leaned on the ground production in a 27-13 win over Syracuse. Ferguson will try to hit 100 yards again this weeked when the Panthers host Bucknell.
BYU WR Legend Glasker (6-1, 175, Lehi, Utah): 5 receptions, 131 yards; 3 rushes, 21
The explosive start to Glasker’s career hit new highs on Saturday. His 152 total yards of offense helped BYU top Colorado State 41-23. Glasker also impressed as a runner, scoring the first rushing touchdown of his career. Glasker is on pace to pass 350 yards receiving this Saturday at TCU.
Clemson QB Tait Reynolds (6-2, 215, Queen Creek, Ariz.): 20/29, 215 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 11 rushes, 26 yards
Clemson’s 28-20 comeback win was largely due to a strong second half from Reynolds in his first career start. Reynolds’ only touchdown of the day was Clemson’s first late in the third quarter. The young quarterback also impressed with his mobility, evading pressure on several big plays and stiff-arming a defender on a scramble. Reynolds faced his first road test this Saturday when the Tigers visit California.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
James Franklin, Virginia Tech: Franklin beat one of his former schools, and Virginia Tech improved to 3-0 with an impressive 35-26 win over Maryland. Franklin's first Power 4 win was spearheaded by quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who completed 31 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. The Hokies exploded for 20 points in the second quarter and never gave the lead up after that. Franklin can get his first conference win at Boston College on Saturday.
Pete Golding, Ole Miss: Perhaps no coach has earned a bigger win than Golding did on Saturday. The Rebels beat bitter rival LSU, led by former head coach Lane Kiffin, by a 32-24 total. Golding has been Ole Miss’ head coach for six games, and he’s already built an impressive 4-1 record against top 25 teams. He'll try to win another one against fellow first-year coach Jon Sumrall on Saturday at Florida.
Will Stein, Kentucky: Stein’s Wildcats recovered from a rocky SEC opener loss to Alabama by shocking Texas A&M with a 31-21 road upset. Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey completed 14 of his 18 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats also added another 156 yards and two more scores on the ground. Stein will prepare to host South Alabama this Saturday before continuing SEC action at South Carolina next week.
Jon Sumrall, Florida: Sumrall won another showdown of first-year SEC coaches Saturday night, taking a 44-39 win over Auburn. The Gators did most of their scoring on the ground, rushing for 243 yards and four touchdowns. Florida is also ranked for the first time under Sumrall, taking the No. 21 spot in the AP poll. Sumrall will try to earn a massive win over Ole Miss on Saturday.