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 on Monday Feb. 22, 2027 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 6, the weekend of Oct. 17:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Western Kentucky LB Westen Ard (6-1, 235, Warner Robins, Ga.): 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL, 1 pass defended
Ard led Western Kentucky in tackles as it silenced Sam Houston State in a 16-3 win. Ard and the Hilltoppers held the Bearkats to 177 total yards, and they allowed just two third down conversions in 13 attempts. Ard has averaged nearly seven tackles per game, but Wednesday was his first time leading the team in the category. He’ll try to stand out again when Western Kentucky hosts Delaware on Oct. 27.
Wake Forest TE Dominick Barry (6-3, 240, Greenwood, Ind.): 4 receptions, 102 yards, 3 TD
Barry’s breakout game helped Wake Forest thrash California 41-7. He entered Saturday with two catchers for 14 yards on the season and left as his team's leading receiver in the win. Barry showed his explosive ability, too, scoring two of his touchdowns from 39 and 30 yards out. Wake Forest will rest Saturday before hosting Virginia on Oct. 31.
Miami RB Javian Mallory (5-11, 210, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.): 13 rushes, 108 yards, 2 TD
Mallory led Miami in rushing as the Hurricanes escaped with a 43-35 overtime win over rival Florida State. The speedy running back delivered twice in the clutch, scoring game-tying touchdowns in the fourth quarter and overtime. Mallory’s agility was on display as he made several defenders miss without even touching him. Mallory can get this third 100-yard, two-touchdown game this season against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Ohio State CB Jay Timmons (5-11, 191, Gibsonia, Pa.): 7 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defended
Timmons made plays in many ways as Ohio State grabbed a massive 19-15 win at Indiana on Saturday. He forced a fumble that set up a field goal, made several tackles in the open field and broke up a pair of passes in coverage. It was Timmons’ second forced fumble of the year after he forced and recovered one against Texas earlier this season. He can shine on another big stage when the Buckeyes visit USC on Oct. 31.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Alex Golesh, Auburn: Golesh’s Tigers pulled off the top upset in a day full of shocking results. Auburn beat top-ranked Georgia 27-24 on a field goal as time expired. The Tigers held the Bulldogs to 113 yards rushing and won the turnover battle 3-0. Golesh can earn another signature road win at LSU on Saturday.
Will Hall, Tulane: The Green Wave earned the biggest win of Hall’s young tenure with a 31-17 win over Memphis Saturday. Hall’s defense forced six turnovers and tallied seven sacks in the win. Tulane erupted for 23 points in the second quarter — including a pick-six as the first half expired — and put the game away with a long rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Hall can lead Tulane to its first winning record this year against UTSA on Saturday.
Will Stein, Kentucky: Stein’s Wildcats continued to silence doubters with a 21-13 win over 6.5-point favorite Oklahoma. Kentucky forced four turnovers and didn’t commit any, and the Wildcats sacked Sooner quarterback John Mateer five times. Kentucky’s defense seal the win, too, as Jordan Castell returned his second interception 41 yards for a touchdown. Tied for first place in the SEC, Kentucky will host Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Jon Sumrall, Florida: Sumrall’s Gators earned their second top-10 win this season with a 27-24 upset at Texas. The 11.5-point underdogs trailed 17-3 in the second quarter and stormed back with 24 unanswered points. Florida outgained Texas 313-272 and converted both of its fourth-down conversion attempts. Sumrall will face another top-10 SEC opponent, Georgia, on Oct. 31.