| NEW YORK — Sept. 11, 2024 — Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Chicago Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend (September 5-6, 8-9).
OFFENSE: RB SAQUON BARKLEY, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DEFENSE: DB TYRIQUE STEVENSON, CHICAGO BEARS
SPECIAL TEAMS: K JAKE MOODY, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
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Saquon Barkley, Tyrique Stevenson & Jake Moody Named Week 1 NFC Players of the Week
NIU’S O’MALLEY EARNS BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DALLAS (FWAA) – NIU defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley registered a pair of sacks and forced a fumble that aided in the Huskies’ dramatic 16-14 win at No. 5 Notre Dame last Saturday. For helping contain the Irish at home, O’Malley earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Sept. 7, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
Each week during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20. The national defensive player of the year will be chosen from those finalists who are part of the 2024 FWAA All-America Team and presented with the trophy at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 9 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Players may be added or removed from the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list during the season. If a player isn’t already on the preseason watch list, each week’s honored player, including O’Malley this week, will be added at that time.
The 6-2, 293-pound senior from Midlothian, Ill., also had three tackles for loss among four solo tackles as NIU (2-0) pulled off the biggest upset of the young season. The two sacks matched O’Malley’s career-best when he notched a pair against Eastern Michigan in 2002.
The defensive pressure up front bolstered the Huskies to hold Notre Dame to 123 rushing yards on 28 carries and 163 passing yards while pressuring Irish quarterback Riley Leonard all day. Notre Dame (286 yards to NIU’s 388) was outgained by more than 100 yards at home for only the fourth time in the last 15 years.
O’Malley’s 3.5 tackles for loss on the season tie him for 25th nationally in this week’s listings.
Sparked by O’Malley and its defense, NIU’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2015 and its first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since 2003 also earned the Huskies the Cheez-It National Team of the Week for the Sept. 7 weekend as selected by the All-America Committee of the FWAA.
O’Malley is the second NIU player to earn the weekly Bronko Nagurski Trophy honor. NIU defensive end Larry English earned the award the week of Sept. 22, 2007, when he had five sacks and five quarterback pressures in a win at Idaho. The Huskies do not have any previous finalists or winners of the postseason award.
The Huskies are idle this weekend prior to hosting their MAC opener against Buffalo on Sept. 21.
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on Twitter at @NCFAA.
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, North Carolina region. Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a sponsor team of more than (80) companies. The Club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding Citizenship, Scholarship, Sportsmanship, and Leadership of area athletes and coaches. Through individual and corporate support, more than $3,000,000 has been raised and donated to benefit the Touchdown Club’s scholarship efforts.
Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Our purpose is to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence and to grow profitably. For over 121 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers and communities we serve and passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer. We make, sell and distribute beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia, to approximately 60 million consumers. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Coca-Cola Consolidated is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “COKE”. More information about the Company is available at www.cokeconsolidated.com. Follow Coca-Cola Consolidated on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
All NCFAA logos can be downloaded from collegepressbox.com or the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/
Tyler Announces The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week
TYLER, Texas – Texas quarterback, Quinn Ewers has been named The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week for the second week of the college football season.
Quinn Ewers had an impressive performance in No. 3 Texas’ 31-12 road win over No. 10/9 Michigan. Ewers completed 24-of-36 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Ewers has now won eight straight true road games since 2022, throwing 15 touchdowns with just one interception. Texas’ 19-point win was its largest margin of victory against a top-10 team on the road since 1979 and the biggest against a top-10 team overall since 2005.
Quinn Ewers is a graduate of Southlake Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas.
Honorable Mention Week 2:
DEAN CONNORS, RB, RICEÂ
Kamuela, HI (Murrietta Valley HS, CA)
Senior
9 carries – 113 yards, 3 TD
W 69-7 vs. Texas Southern
CHRIS DAWN JR, WR, TEXAS STATEÂ
Dallas, TX (Mesquite Horn HS)
Sophomore
5 catches – 150 yards, 2 TD
W 49-10 vs. UTSA
GUNNAR HELM, TE, TEXASÂ
Englewood, COÂ (Cherry Creek HS)
Senior
7 catches – 98 yards, TD
W 31-12 @ #10 Michigan
CADE KLUBNIK, QB, CLEMSONÂ
Austin, TX (Westlake HS)
Junior
24/26 – 378 yards, 5 TD | 5 yards rushing, 2 TD
W 66-20 vs. Appalachian State
DJ LAGWAY, QB, FLORIDAÂ
Willis, TX (Willis HS)
Freshman
18/25 – 456 yards, 3 TD
W 45-7 vs. Samford
JOHN MATEER, QB, WASHINGTON STATEÂ
Little Elm, TX (Little Elm HS)
RS-Sophomore
9/19 – 115 yards, 1 TD, INT | 21 carries – 197 yards, TD
W 37-16 vs. Texas Tech
JORDAN MCCLOUD, QB, TEXAS STATEÂ
Tampa, FL (Plant HS)
Senior
18/27 – 309 YARDS, 2 TD, INT | 6 carries – 30 yards, 2 TD
W 50-7 vs. UTSA
DT SHEFFIELD, WR, NORTH TEXASÂ
Corinth, MS (Corinth HS)
Junior
6 catches – 74 yards, 3 TD
W 35-20 vs. SFA
BRYANT WESCO JR, WR, CLEMSONÂ
Midlothian, TX (Midlothian HS)
Freshman
3 catches – 130 yards, TD
W 66-20 vs. Appalachian State
THE EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced in 2012 by the Tyler Chamber and SPORTyler, recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.
Clemson’s Klubnik Claims National Quarterback of the Week Honor
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Week 2 NFL Preview & Capsules
| NEW YORK — September 10, 2024 — Close games, dramatic comebacks and memorable performances highlighted an exciting Kickoff Weekend. For the first time in 45 years, three teams trailed by at least 14 points and came back to win in Week 1, and 10 games were decided by one score (eight points), trailing only 2013 (12), 2016 (11), 2010 (11) and 2002 (11) for the most such games in Week 1 all-time.
For the Week 2 capsules, click here. Here’s a look at a few interesting storylines entering Week 2:
Media Contact:Â Sam Drexler, NFL;Â Sam.Drexler@NFL.com |
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Ducks Survive Boise State in Tight Victory
The Oregon Ducks, fresh off a tenuous victory against the Idaho Vandals, managed to secure a dramatic 37-34 win over the Boise State Broncos on Saturday. The game, held at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, evolved into a nail-biting contest filled with back-and-forth action that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Despite their victory, the Ducks’ offense displayed significant inconsistency throughout the game. The Oregon offensive line, which had previously been a fortress, allowing only 10 sacks during the 2023-24 season, has struggled in the early weeks of this season.
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Photo Cred: USA Today
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who is stepping into the role this year, has already been sacked seven times over the past two games—three times in the previous week and four times on Saturday. The Ducks’ offensive woes were further highlighted in the second half when the crowd at Autzen Stadium voiced their frustration with boos after the team opted for three consecutive running plays, including on a critical 3rd-and-13, which led to their sixth punt of the game. What ultimately saved the Ducks was their knack for making game-changing plays when it mattered most.
Gabriel threw two impressive long touchdown passes, covering 34 and 59 yards, and connected with Evan Stewart for a 67-yard pass early in the game. Gabriel’s quick follow-up run resulted in a touchdown. In the second half, Tez Johnson and Noah Whittington delivered pivotal performances for Oregon. Johnson returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown, while Whittington executed a remarkable 100-yard kickoff return for another score. Each time Boise State seemed poised to gain control, these explosive plays swung the momentum back in favor of the Ducks.
Boise State, for their part, exhibited remarkable resilience and energy throughout the contest. The Broncos never allowed Oregon to pull away by more than a single score and managed to control the game at various points, only for the Ducks to reclaim the lead with timely big plays. Star halfback Ashton Jeanty was particularly dominant, rushing for 192 yards and three touchdowns, including a breathtaking 70-yard run. The Broncos’ defense took a significant hit when safety Alexander Teubner was ejected for targeting early in the third quarter following a contentious hit on Dillon Gabriel.
Photo Cred: East Idaho News
This loss added to Boise State’s challenges as they tried to fend off the Ducks’ offensive surge. With the score tied at 34-34 and the clock ticking down, the Ducks looked to senior kicker Atticus Sappington, a Portland native, to secure the win. Despite the seemingly straightforward 25-yard kick, Sappington had previously missed an extra point, adding a layer of tension to the situation. Fortunately for Oregon and their supporters, Sappington’s kick was true, giving the Ducks the victory.
As the Ducks navigate their way through a season of high expectations, these two narrow wins against unranked opponents may be raising concerns for head coach Dan Lanning. With their transition to Big Ten play looming, the next few weeks will be critical in defining the true character of the Oregon team. Looking ahead, the Ducks will face the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium in Corvallis next week. Meanwhile, Boise State will return home to host the Portland State Vikings on September 21st. The outcomes of these games will be pivotal as both teams seek to establish their rhythms and gain momentum for the remainder of the season.
The UAB Blazers Get Upset by UL Monroe 32-6
On Saturday evening, the UAB Blazers endured a shocking 32-6 defeat at the hands of UL Monroe. This surprising loss is a stark contrast to their dominant performance in Week 1, where they easily overwhelmed Alcorn State. The game against the Warhawks exposed several critical flaws in UAB’s game plan, with head coach Trent Dilfer’s offensive strategy falling notably short and leading to a disheartening performance.
Starting quarterback Jacob Zeno, who had shown promise early in the season, struggled significantly against UL Monroe. Although he initially appeared poised, Zeno faltered when the pocket collapsed, and he was unable to make plays on the run. His performance was far from what was anticipated, finishing with only 167 passing yards and one interception. Additionally, he struggled on the ground, recording 11 rushes for negative three yards. His inability to adapt to the pressure and make critical plays contributed heavily to the team’s offensive woes.
Photo Cred: AAC
Lee Beebe Jr., a former Blazer walk-on, was perhaps the lone bright spot on an otherwise lackluster offensive unit. Beebe Jr. delivered a commendable performance, rushing for 62 yards on 14 carries and adding five receptions for 36 yards. His effort and resilience stood out amidst the team’s struggles, showcasing his potential as a crucial part of Dilfer’s offensive scheme. Without Beebe Jr.’s contributions, UAB’s offensive output would have been even more dismal.
On the defensive side, the Blazers were similarly overwhelmed, particularly in their run defense. UAB’s defense struggled to contain UL Monroe’s rushing attack, allowing three different running backs to each gain over 50 yards. The defense’s inability to stop the run was evident when Ahmad Hardy scored a rushing touchdown less than a minute into the second quarter. Hardy’s multiple extended runs further exposed the deficiencies in Dilfer’s defensive strategy, highlighting a need for significant adjustments.
Photo Cred: The Herald Journal
Despite the discouraging loss, this game could serve as a pivotal moment for the Blazers. It provides an opportunity for Dilfer and his coaching staff to critically assess their strategies and make the necessary adjustments. With a challenging road trip to Arkansas looming, UAB needs to regroup and refine their approach. A strong rebound and victory could position them as a serious contender in the American Athletic Conference. If they can address their current issues and capitalize on their strengths, the Blazers have the potential to turn their season around and reassert themselves as a formidable team.
Syracuse Survives Georgia Tech’s Late Surge to Win 31-28
Despite a late rally from #23 Georgia Tech, Syracuse held on to secure their first ACC victory of the season. The Orange’s impressive performance was led by quarterback Kyle McCord and a markedly improved run defense.
McCord’s Career Highs:
Photo Cred: USA Today
Kyle McCord continued his strong form from Week 1, delivering a standout performance against Georgia Tech. He completed 32 of 49 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns. He matched his career high for touchdowns and setting new career highs in completions, attempts, and passing yards. Notably, all of these records were previously set just the week before against Ohio.
McCord’s offensive weapons capitalized on his record-breaking day. Trebor Pena excelled with six receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, tight end Oronde Gadsden II caught six passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Through the first two weeks of the season, McCord has accumulated 59 completions for 735 yards and eight touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to lead and elevate his teammates.
Run Defense Steps Up:
Photo Cred: SI
After struggling defensively in their previous game, where they allowed over 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Ohio’s Anthony Tyus II, Syracuse made significant improvements. Georgia Tech entered the game with a strong rushing attack, averaging around 200 yards per game in their first two contests. Syracuse’s defense rose to the challenge, limiting Georgia Tech’s running backs to an average of just 2.5 yards per carry.
This is a notable improvement from the 12.7 yards per carry Syracuse allowed against Tyus II. Overall, the Orange restricted the Yellow Jackets to 112 rushing yards. Despite this, Georgia Tech’s quarterback Haynes King contributed with his legs, rushing six times for 67 yards and scoring both of Georgia Tech’s early touchdowns. Without King’s performance, the Yellow Jackets would have struggled to mount a late-game surge.
Special Teams Miscues:
Photo Cred: USA Today
While Syracuse excelled on offense and defense, their special teams made several critical errors that kept Georgia Tech in the game. Brady Denaburg missed a 43-yard field goal in the first quarter that could have given Syracuse a 10-7 lead, though he did make a 33-yard field goal later and converted all four extra points. The special teams’ problems persisted when a punt was blocked near the end of the second quarter, giving Georgia Tech a short field starting at their own 41-yard line.
Syracuse was fortunate that Georgia Tech missed a field goal attempt to end the half. The most significant mistake came late in the fourth quarter when Syracuse allowed Georgia Tech to recover an onside kick. This gave the Yellow Jackets a chance to score again with 2:30 left on the clock. Fortunately for Syracuse, their offense was able to run down the clock on the ensuing possession, preserving their victory.
With the second-easiest strength of schedule in the ACC, Syracuse is well-positioned to climb into the AP Top 25. Their next matchup will be against Stanford on Friday, September 20, at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Texas Shows They are Ready for a Playoff Push
Texas defeated the University of Michigan in a decisive 31-12 victory today. They took down the reigning College Football Champions in an impressive display of skill and strategy. The Wolverines, who had recently basked in the glory of their national title victory in the College Football Playoffs against Washington, found themselves struggling for confidence throughout the game. Michigan’s triumph in the postseason had propelled them to the top of the AP’s 2023 poll, but the departure of 13 key players to the NFL draft has left the team in a rebuilding phase.
Photo Cred: M Live
This setback has been evident as Michigan has slipped from their previous number one ranking to the tenth spot. On the other hand, Texas showcased a performance brimming with promise for their inaugural season in the SEC. The Horns, currently ranked third in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll, are inching closer to a potential National Title with each game, thanks to their dynamic defense and a potent offense that continues to improve.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers led Texas with notable prowess, passing for 246 yards and securing three touchdowns. His efforts were crucial in a game where Texas exhibited both resilience and execution. In the first quarter, Texas had an initial setback when Bert Auburn missed a field goal attempt. However, the Horns quickly regained their momentum. Their subsequent drive culminated in a touchdown by Gunnar Helm, with Auburn redeeming himself by successfully converting the extra point.
Photo Cred: Michigan Daily News
Michigan’s Dominic Zvada managed to score a field goal early in the second quarter, briefly narrowing the score to 7-3, which would turn out to be the closest margin of the game. Michigan’s struggle to maintain possession became apparent as they experienced two critical turnovers in the second quarter. Texas capitalized on these errors; Jerrick Gibson scored a touchdown, and Andrew Mukuba intercepted a pass from Michigan’s Davis Warren. This interception led to a 26-yard field goal by Auburn.
The woes for Michigan continued as Colston Loveland fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Texas’ Jahdae Barron. Texas promptly converted this opportunity into another touchdown, with Ewers connecting with Matthew Golden. The first half ended with a commanding 24-3 lead for the Horns. In the third quarter, Zvada added a 52-yard field goal for Michigan, making the score 24-6. Despite their efforts, Michigan struggled to make significant headway. Texas responded with a touchdown pass from Ewers to Jaydon Blue, extending their lead further.
The defensive side of Texas was equally impressive, with key contributions from Derek Williams Jr., freshman Colin Simmons, and Mukuba. Their relentless pressure resulted in multiple tackles, interceptions, and sacks that stymied Michigan’s attempts to mount a comeback. On Michigan’s first play following Texas’ touchdown, Williams Jr. intercepted another pass from Warren, underscoring Texas’ defensive dominance. The game remained at 31-6 for the majority of the fourth quarter until Michigan managed a late touchdown with under two minutes remaining.
Photo Cred: Detroit Press
A failed two-point conversion attempt left Michigan at 12 points, sealing their fate. The result was a jubilant moment for Texas fans and cast a shadow over Michigan’s future prospects following today’s clash in the Big House. With their first two games won, Texas will look to build on this momentum as they head into their SEC matchups, aiming to maintain their winning streak and solidify their position as a contender for the national title.
Seven From Sunday – Kickoff Weekend
NEW YORK –– Sept. 8, 2024 –– A look at seven statistical highlights from games played during the 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET windows on Sunday, September 8, the first week of the 2024 season.
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