Week 15: Diego Fagot, Navy

U.S. Naval Academy linebacker Diego Fagot, a senior playing in his final game for the Midshipmen, made a team-leading nine tackles and converted a surprise fake punt for a key first down in the fourth quarter, as Navy beat rival Army, 17-13, in its season finale.

Fagot, who is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also had two quarterback hurries, part of a strong defensive effort that saw the Midshipmen hold Army to a season-low 232 yards, just 57 after halftime.

“We faced a lot of adversity this year,” Fagot said. “Especially in the second half, regardless of the score we are going to keep playing as hard as we can. We pride ourselves on that. I can’t say enough about how they [Army] think they are the last of the hard. That’s just not the case. They are our little brothers.” 

Fagot also delivered what could have been the game’s key play. With Navy set to punt on fourth and 1 from its own 34-yard line, Fagot was lined up as the safety and called out a change in the protection to account for Army lining up in an unbalanced formation. However, the long snapper thought Fagot was calling for a fake and snapped the ball directly to Fagot, who apparently was caught by surprise as well.

Fagot, a three-year starter and team captain who was named first-team All-American Conference at linebacker recovered quickly to avert disaster. His first career rushing attempt gained four yards and a first down as Navy maintained possession.

"They showed six people on the right and two to the left and we checked to an overload," Fagot said. "I was supposed to block the closest guy to the snapper so I was looking that direction. When I checked it I guess the snapper didn't hear me. We had a fake in the game plan already, so I think he assumed that is what we checked to. He snapped it to me and at that point it turned into a reaction play, I really don't know how else to describe it."

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• James Madison S Sam Kidd (Madison HS) made 11 tackles and broke up three passes as the Dukes beat Montana, 28-6, in a Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinal game.

• Villanova QB Daniel Smith (Tuscarora HS, Va.) completed 17 of 26 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 44 yards and another score, but the Wildcats were unable to hold a halftime lead and lost to South Dakota State, 35-21, in an FCS quarterfinal game.

Week 14: DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama

Jeff Hanson/Crimsontidephotos

University of Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams, who played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Hellams, a junior, made a game-high nine tackles, intercepted one pass and broke up another as the Crimson Tide beat Georgia, 41-24, in the SEC championship game. With the victory, Alabama earned a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Hellams, who was the DC Touchdown Club 2019 Maryland High School Player of the Year,  made his interception during a key moment of the game. Alabama led 31-17 midway through the third quarter as Georgia drove deep into the Crimson Tide’s territory. But Hellams stepped in from of the intended target and pulled in his third interception of the season.

"I saw the tight end coming across," Hellams told the Tuscaloosa News. "I saw Will. He had good pressure on the quarterback. I knew he had to deliver the ball soon, and when the ball is in the air, I feel like it's mine every time."

Hellams ranks fourth in tackles for the Crimson Tide, with 74, helping Alabama limit opponents to 20.2 points per game. On Sunday, Hellams received Alabama’s Defensive Achievement Award, presented for playing a crucial role in the effectiveness of the unit.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Pittsburgh WR Jordan Addison (Tuscarora HS, Md.) caught eight passes for 126 yards as the Panthers beat N.C. State, 45-21, in the ACC championship game.

• Shepherd DB Klayton Batten (St. Charles HS) made four tackles and intercepted two passes, returning one 32 yards for a touchdown as Shepherd beat Kutztown, 30-28, in an NCAA Division II quarterfinal.

Week 13: Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

Courtesy University of Maryland Athletics

University of Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Tagovailoa completed 21 of 30 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score as the Terrapins beat Rutgers, 40-16, this past Saturday to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.

It was the seventh 300-yard game this season for Tagovailoa, setting a Maryland single-season record. Tagovailoa also set the school record for most passing yards in a season with 3,595 yards, breaking the previous mark set by Scott Milanovich in 1993.

“It’s even better when you can break a record and win a football game,” Tagovailoa said during an interview with ESPN.

Tagovailoa was one of eight quarterbacks nationally named to the Manning Award Stars of the Week.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Pittsburgh WR Jordan Addison (Tuscarora HS, Md.) caught 11 passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers beat Syracuse, 31-14.

• Kent State RB Marquez Cooper (Quince Orchard HS) rushed 24 times for 126 yards and one touchdown as the Golden Flashes beat Miami (Ohio), 48-47 in overtime to win the Mid-American Conference East Division title.

• Shepherd WR Josh Gontarek (Linganore HS) caught seven passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning, 23-yard score with 1.9 seconds left as the Rams beat Notre Dame College, 38-34, in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

• Bowie State QB Ja’rome Johnson (Eastern HS) returned from an ankle injury and completed 15 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two second-half touchdowns as the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals for the first time in school history with a 13-10 win over Newberry.

• UCF DE Tre’mon Morris-Brash (St. John’s College HS) made five tackles (three for losses) and had one sack as the Knights beat South Florida, 17-13.

• Navy RB Chance Warren caught three passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns and had three punt returns for 62 yards as the Midshipmen beat Temple, 38-14.

Week 12: Jordan Addison, Pitt

University of Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addision, who played at Tuscarora High School in Frederick, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Addison, who also was named a DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week during the 2019 season, set career highs with 14 catches for 202 yards and tied the school record with four touchdowns as the Panthers clinched the ACC Coastal Division title with a 48-38 win over Virginia. Addison also had a 39-yard punt return that helped set up a score.

It was Addison’s sixth 100-yard game this season and he became the first Pitt receiver with more than 200 receiving yards in a game since Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. Addison’s 15 touchdown catches this season rank third on the school’s all-time single-season list.

“If Jordan Addison didn’t get the Biletnikoff today,” Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi said, referring to the Biletnikoff Award presented to the nation’s top wide receiver, “I don’t know who does.”

For the season, Addison has 74 catches for 1,272 yards, averaging 17.2 yards per catch. It has been another strong season for the player who finished second last season in voting for the ACC Rookie of the Year, with 60 catches for 666 yards and four touchdowns.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Alabama DB DeMarcco Hellams (DeMatha Catholic HS) made 11 tackles and had one tackle for loss as the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas, 42-35.

• Kent State RB Marquez Cooper (Quince Orchard HS) rushed 25 times for 135 yards and one touchdown as the Golden Flashes beat Akron, 38-0. It was Cooper’s fifth 100-yard game this season.

• UCF DL Cam Goode (St. John’s College HS) made his first career interception and had a sack as the Knights beat U-Conn, 49-17.

• Villanova QB Daniel Smith (Tuscarora HS, Va.) completed 12 of 26 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown and rushed seven times for 47 yards as the Wildcats beat Delaware, 21-13, to win the CAA regular season title.

• Rhode Island QB Kasim Hill (St. John’s College HS) completed 31 of 55 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams lost to Elon, 43-28.

• James Madison WR Kris Thornton (Osbourn HS) caught five passes for 116 yards and one touchdown as the Dukes beat Towson, 56-10.

• Shepherd RB Ty Hebron (Richard Montgomery HS) rushed 20 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams beat Findlay, 38-31, in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Week 11: Graham Walker, Frostburg State

Frostburg State University quarterback Graham Walker, who played at Woodgrove High School in Purcellville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Walker completed 22 of 27 passes for 395 yards and a school single-game record seven touchdowns as the Bobcats beat West Liberty, 56-3, to grab a share of the Mountain East Conference championship. Frostburg State finished the season 10-1; as a provisional Division II member, the Bobcats are not eligible for the NCAA playoffs.

Walker, a redshirt freshman, played a large role in Frostburg State’s success this season. He completed 143 of 249 passes for 2,395 yards and 25 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He also rushed for three touchdowns.

“What Graham accomplished this fall as a freshman is just the tip of the iceberg,” Frostburg State Coach DeLane Fitzgerald said. “Once Graham learns how to read defenses better and know what to do with the ball when he is being blitzed, he’s going to make a huge leap as a college quarterback.”

At Woodgrove, Walker led the Wolverines to the Virginia 4A championship in 2018, passing for 347 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 133 yards and another score in the state title victory.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Shepherd WR Ryan Beach (Northwest HS) caught nine passes for 140 yards and one touchdown as the Rams beat Clarion, 55-0.

• Emory & Henry WR Jermawn Ford Jr. (Suitland HS) caught five passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns as the Wasps beat Ferrum, 41-23.

• Gallaudet LB Jacob Hartman made 12 tackles with three tackles for loss and one sack as the Bison lost to Castleton, 31-30.

• Rhode Island QB Kasim Hill (St. John’s College HS) completed 12 of 23 passes for 221 yards and four touchdowns as the Rams beat New Hampshire, 28-3.

• Monmouth QB Tony Muskett (West Springfield HS) completed 17 of 25 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns as the Hawks beat Robert Morris, 44-7.

• Maryland WR Chigoziem Okonkwo caught eight passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the Terrapins’ 40-21 loss to Michigan State.

• Shenandoah CB Quante Redd (Severn School) made 13 tackles as the Hornets beat Washington & Lee, 14-6.

• Bowie State DL Jonathan Ross (St. Charles HS) made 10 tackles with 3 ½ tackles for loss and two sacks as the Bulldogs won their third consecutive CIAA championship, 17-7 over Fayetteville State.

WEEK 10: Kris Thornton, James Madison

JMU Athletics Photography

James Madison University wide receiver Kris Thornton, who played at Osbourn High School in Manassas, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Thornton, a redshirt junior, caught eight passes for 142 yards and a school single-game record four touchdowns as the Dukes beat Campbell, 51-14.

“Speed kills,” James Madison Coach Curt Cignetti said. “He’s really smart. He runs good routes. He’s dependable. He has good habits. He plays fast everyday at practice and he plays fast everyday in the game. He’s got really good focus. That’s what separates the good players from the great this time of the year.”

Undersized at 5 feet 8 and 180 pounds, Thornton began his college career at VMI, where he played two seasons and earned second-team all-Southern Conference honors. Thornton then transferred to James Madison, where his father, Keith, played wide receiver from 1987 to 1990.

After sitting out the 2019 season to satisfy NCAA transfer requirements, Thornton earned first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association following the spring 2021 season.

Thornton picked up this fall where he left off and has 59 catches for 705 yards and nine touchdowns.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Pittsburgh WR Jordan Addison (Tuscarora, Md. HS) caught seven passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns and had a two-yard touchdown run as the Panthers beat Duke, 54-29.

• Kent State RB Marquez Cooper (Quince Orchard HS) rushed 27 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Flashes beat Northern Illinois, 52-47.

• Christopher Newport QB Matt Dzierski (South County HS) completed 25 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 19 times for 105 yards and three touchdowns as the Captains beat Rowan, 35-32.

• Rhode Island QB Kasim Hill (St. John’s College HS) completed 11 of 20 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores as the Rams beat Massachusetts, 35-22.

• Frostburg State RB Gavin Lavat (DeMatha Catholic HS) rushed 24 times for 227 yards and one touchdown to become the school’s all-time leading rusher as the Bobcats beat West Virginia Wesleyan, 55-14.

• Villanova QB Daniel Smith (Tuscarora, Va. HS) completed 16 of 23 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for two more scores as the Wildcats beat Elon, 35-0.

• Bowie State RB Calil Wilkins (Potomac, Md. HS) rushed 14 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Elizabeth City State, 79-6.

Week 9: Jeremiah Baxter, Frostburg State

Frostburg State University cornerback Jeremiah Baxter, who played at Magruder High School in Derwood, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Baxter, a redshirt freshman, came off the bench to make the first three interceptions of his career and then blocked a punt that he returned for a touchdown as the Bobcats beat Alderson-Broaddus, 45-7.

Baxter had played in five games previously this season, totaling 11 tackles. He made the most of his opportunities this past Saturday, interception a pass in each of the first three quarters, returning one 24 yards and another 35 yards.

He was named the Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

“Jeremiah is a young player in our program with a lot of potential,” said Frostburg State Coach DeLane Fitzgerald, whose team moved up to No. 20 nationally in the American Football Coaches Association’s Division II rankings. “Athletically he has the capability to play with anyone in the MEC. Our football program is hoping that Saturday is just the beginning for him.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Shepherd WR Josh Gontarek (Linganore HS) caught two touchdown passes and returned a punt 78 yards for another score as the Rams beat Bloomsburg, 62-18.

• Towson RB Devin Matthews (Justice HS), a freshman walk-on, rushed for two touchdowns as the Tigers beat Albany 38-24. Matthews leads the team with eight rushing touchdowns.

• Monmouth QB Tony Muskett (West Springfield HS) completed 19 of 28 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more touchdowns as the Hawks beat North Carolina A&T, 35-16.

• Misericordia LB T.J. Prather (Calvert HS) made seven tackles and forced three fumbles – setting up both the tying and winning scores as the Cougars beat King’s College, 24-17.

• Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa completed 26 of 40 passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns as the Terrapins beat Indiana, 38-35.

• Carnegie Mellon RB Tre Vasiliadis (Langley HS) rushed 24 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns as the Tartans beat Saint Vincent, 34-7. Vasiliadis leads the Presidents Athletic Conference with 811 yards rushing and is second in the league with 14 rushing touchdowns.

• Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga College HS) completed 23 of 30 passes for 402 yards and six touchdowns as the Sooners beat Texas Tech, 52-21.

Week 8: Gavin Lavat, Frostburg State

Frostburg State University running back Gavin Lavat, who played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Lavat, a senior, rushed 19 times for a career-high 190 yards and tied both school and Mountain East Conference records with five touchdowns as the Bobcats beat Fairmont State, 49-14. He was named the Mountain East Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

“In 27 years of college football, he is the best tailback that I have seen,” Frostburg Coach DeLane Fitzgerald said. “Blue-collar work ethic and toughness are second to none. When I got to FSU, I was told that the rushing record would never be broken. God willing, he will break that record over the next three games and leave Frostburg as the all-time rushing leader.”

A 2015 graduate of DeMatha, Lavat twice missed seasons due to injury. As a sophomore in 2017, he was the third-leading rusher in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, with 716 yards. But a hand injury sidelined Lavat in 2018. As a junior in 2019, Lavat rushed for 1,126 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Mountain East honors after Frostburg moved from NCAA Division III to Division II. But Lavat dislocated his ankle and broke his tibia during practice leading up to the spring 2021 season.

Despite the injuries, Lavat needs just 281 yards to become Frostburg’s all-time leading rusher. He has rushed for 2,882 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Georgetown WR Cameron Crayton caught six passes for 136 yards and one touchdown as the Hoyas beat Bucknell, 29-21.

• Christopher Newport QB Matt Dzierski (South County HS) completed 15 of 25 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 15 times for 59 yards, including the decisive five-yard touchdown run with four minutes left as the Captains beat The College of New Jersey, 21-14.

• Navy CB Jamal Glenn (Maret School) made a career-high 11 tackles, intercepted a pass and recovered an onside kick in the Midshipmen’s 27-20 loss to Cincinnati.

• Shepherd RB Ty Hebron (Richard Montgomery HS) rushed 11 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams beat West Chester, 42-38.

• Army West Point QB Jabari Laws (Wise HS) completed 9 of 11 passes for 140 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Cadets lost to Wake Forest, 70-56.

• Catholic QB Madden Lowe completed 35 of 46 passes for a career-high 384 yards and five touchdowns but the Cardinals lost to Merchant Marine, 44-34. WR Owen Shields had seven catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns.

• Bowie State RB Calil Wilkins (Potomac (Md.) HS) rushed 19 times for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Virginia Union, 27-7.

Week 7: Ja'rome Johnson, Bowie State

Bowie State University quarterback Ja’rome Johnson, who played at Eastern High School in Northeast Washington, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Johnson completed 14 of 25 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 51 yards and two more scores as the Bulldogs won their sixth consecutive game, 51-44 over Virginia State, this past Saturday.

Johnson has played a large role in Bowie State’s success, guiding an offense that is averaging 33 points per game. He has thrown for 1,393 yards and 17 touchdowns in seven games this season and rushed for another four touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who are ranked 14th this week in the American Football Coaches Association poll.

Against Virginia State, Johnson started things off with a 31-yard touchdown run and then threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Keshane Hinckley (Laurel HS) as the Bulldogs built a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. Later, after Virginia State rallied to tie it 44-44, Johnson threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Darious Bowman (Friendly HS) for the decisive score with 6 minutes 20 seconds left.

“Ja’rome Johnson is consistently getting better each week and proves to be a threat using his arm or legs to opposing defenses,” Bowie State Coach Damon Wilson said.  “We are very fortunate to have a person of Jarome’s caliber in our program. As a program we will continue to make our mark recruiting the DMV, as there is a lot of quality student-athletes to select from.”

Johnson spent his first two seasons of college football starting at the University of Virginia-Wise, before transferring to Bowie State for the 2019 season. He began that year as the backup before becoming the starter and eventually being named the 2019 CIAA Offensive Player of the Year.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Gallaudet DB Jack Gray intercepted two passes as the Bison beat SUNY Maritime, 23-9. It was the second time this season that Gray has had two interceptions in a game.

• Dean LB Dre Kidd (Manassas Park HS) made nine tackles, intercepted a pass and returned it 39 yards and broke up two other passes as the Bulldogs beat Keystone, 39-36.

• Catholic RB Kevin Licciardi rushed 13 times for a career-high 148 yards and one touchdown as the Cardinals beat Coast Guard, 30-7.

• Monmouth QB Tony Muskett (West Springfield HS) completed 17 of 31 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns as the Hawks beat Campbell, 34-17.

• Buffalo LB James Patterson (Pallotti HS) made a career-high 15 tackles (one for loss) as the Bulls beat Ohio, 27-26.

• Frostburg State QB Graham Walker (Woodgrove HS) completed 13 of 22 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns as the Bobcats beat Wheeling, 41-17.

• Christopher Newport LB Sean Wilkinson (Madison HS) made eight tackles (one for loss), intercepted one pass and broke up another as the Captains beat Montclair State, 28-0.

• Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga College HS) completed 18 of 23 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns and nine times for 61 yards and one touchdown as the Sooners beat TCU, 52-31.

Week 6: Caleb Williams, Oklahoma

Joshua Gateley/OU Athletics

University of Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams, who played at Gonzaga College High School in Northwest Washington, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Williams, a freshman, came off the bench in the second quarter and completed 16 of 25 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns and rushed four times for 88 yards and one score, rallying the Sooners to a 55-48 win over Texas in the Red River Showdown.

Oklahoma had trailed 35-17 when Williams entered the game for a fourth-and-1 play in the second quarter. Williams broke away for a 66-yard touchdown run on that play and remained in the game, leading the Sooners to scores on seven of nine possessions with Williams behind center.

“We got in a little bit of a rhythm when Caleb came in,” Oklahoma Coach Lincoln Riley said. “He did some good things.”

One of the highest-rated recruits to come out of the Washington area in recent years, Williams enrolled at Oklahoma this past spring and participated in spring practice. He entered the season as the backup to starter Spencer Rattler and saw spot duty in the season’s first five games before playing a starring role in this past Saturday’s big win.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

• Georgia Tech LB Ayinde Eley (Good Counsel HS), a transfer from Maryland, made a game-high and career-high 13 tackles as the Yellow Jackets beat Duke, 31-27. He was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week.

• Catholic QB Madden Lowe completed 37 of 48 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns as the Cardinals beat Worcester Polytechnic, 30-7.

• Concord DB Elijah Moore (Tuscarora (Va.) HS) blocked a field goal and blocked a point-after kick that Concord returned for a defensive two-point conversion as the Mountain Lions beat West Liberty, 20-16. Moore, who was named the Mountain East Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, also made three tackles and broke up one pass on defense.

• Howard WR Antoine Murray caught four passes for 178 yards, including a school-record 97-yard touchdown from QB Quinton Williams (Wise HS) as the Bison beat Morgan State, 27-0.

• Bowie State DL Jonathan Ross (St. Charles HS) made nine tackles (5 ½ for losses) and had one sack as the Bulldogs beat Chowan, 14-3, in a meeting of Division II top 25 teams. Chowan had entered averaging 51.4 points per game.

• Villanova QB Daniel Smith (Tuscarora (Va.) HS) completed 16 of 26 passes for 258 yards and one touchdown and rushed nine times for 35 yards and another score as the Wildcats rallied to beat James Madison, 28-27.

• Gallaudet LB John Werner Jr. (Maryland School for the Deaf) made nine tackles with three tackles for loss, had one sack, intercepted a pass and broke up two more passes as the Bison beat Keystone, 34-14. He was named the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Week 5 Brant Butler, Shenandoah

Shenandoah University wide receiver Brant Butler, who played McDonough High School in Pomfret, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Butler, a graduate student in public health, made eight catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns, capped by a leaping, one-handed grab for a 13-yard touchdown with 32 seconds left as the Hornets rallied from a 24-point deficit to beat Bridgewater College, 34-27.

“I just had to reach high and grab it,” Butler told the Winchester Star. “Once I put my hand on it, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I really just caught that.’ And then the crowd [was loud] and my teammates were coming at me. It was crazy.”

Shenandoah quarterback Steven Hugney, a freshman who played at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, finished 19 of 32 passing for 287 yards and three touchdowns.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

·        Gallaudet QB Timel Benton rushed 18 times for 232 yards and four touchdowns as the Bison improved to 3-0 by beating Dean College, 42-35.

·        Alabama DB DeMarcco Hellams (DeMatha Catholic HS) made a team-leading 11 tackles as the Crimson Tide beat Ole Mill, 42-21.

·        Bowie State QB Ja’rome Johnson (Eastern HS) completed 13 of 22 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs won their fourth consecutive game, 44-7 over Johnson C. Smith.

·        Wake Forest WR Taylor Morin (Westfield HS) made six catches for 112 yards and one touchdown as the Demon Deacons beat Louisville, 37-34.

·        Monmouth QB Tony Muskett (West Springfield HS) completed 18 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns as the Hawks beat Gardner-Webb, 54-17.

·        James Madison WR Kris Thornton (Osbourn HS) made 12 catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 30-yarder midway through the fourth quarter, as the Dukes rallied to beat New Hampshire, 23-21.

·        Howard QB Quinton Williams (Wise HS) completed 14 of 28 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 35 yards as the Bison rallied to beat Sacred Heart, 22-17.

Week 4 Jordan Addison, Pitt

University of Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addision, who played at Tuscarora High School in Frederick, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Addison, who a DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week during the 2019 season, caught six passes for a career-high 179 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers routed New Hampshire, 77-7, this past Saturday. Addison had touchdown catches of 24, 47 and 46 yards. It was his second consecutive game with three touchdown catches.

“He’s fast, he’s explosive,” Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi said. “You see the [yards after catch] he’s getting. People are at his ankles and he’s making plays.”

Addison finished second last season in voting for the ACC Rookie of the Year, finishing with 60 catches for 666 yards and four touchdowns. He is off to a fast start this season, with 23 catches for 407 yards and is tied for the national lead with eight touchdown catches.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

·        Georgetown WR Cameron Crayton caught eight passes for 190 yards and one touchdown as the Hoyas lost to Columbia, 35-24.

·        Wake Forest S Coby Davis (Maret School) made four tackles, broke up a pass and intercepted a pass as the Demon Deacons beat Virginia, 37-17.

·        Bowie State KR-PR Kwincy Hall returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown and returned a kickoff 65 yards to set up another score as the Bulldogs beat Livingstone, 49-0. He was named the CIAA Special Teams Player of the Week.

·        Appalachian State DL Jalen McLeod (Friendship Collegiate Academy) made four tackles (two for losses) and had one sack as the Mountaineers beat Marshall, 31-30.

·        Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa completed 31 of 41 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns as the Terrapins beat Kent State, 37-16.

·        Gannon LB Keith Thompson (Woodbridge HS) made five tackles and returned a fumble a school-record 89 yards for a touchdown as the Golden Knights beat Clarion, 56-21. He was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week.

Week 3 Daniel Smith, Villanova

Villanova University quarterback Daniel Smith, who played at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Smith, who was the DC Touchdown Club 2016 Virginia High School Player of the Year, has enjoyed a prolific college career. He set multiple school records while playing two seasons at Campbell University, then transferred to Villanova, where he has continued to make his mark, including being named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton Award, given to the most outstanding offensive player in the Football Championship Series subdivision.

This past Saturday, Smith added yet one more line to his resume, engineering a remarkable comeback in the final five minutes as he rushed for one touchdown and threw two touchdown passes as the Wildcats rallied to beat Richmond, 34-27.

Smith finished the game 26 of 40 for 350 yards and two touchdowns with four rushes for 19 yards and two more scores. He was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

Villanova’s comeback started with Smith’s two-yard touchdown run that brought the Wildcats within 27-20 with 5:01 left. He then threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jaaron Hayek, tying it 27-27 with 2:02 remaining. Smith capped the rally with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Rayjoun Pringle (Hayfield Secondary School) with 38 seconds left.

It was the sixth time in his college career that Smith has had multiple touchdown runs and thrown multiple touchdown passes in the same game.

Smith will get a chance to perform on a bigger stage this week when Villanova (3-0) plays at Penn State.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

·        Clemson DL Bryan Bresee (Damascus HS) made four tackles and had 1 ½ sacks as the Tigers did not allow a touchdown in a 14-8 win over Georgia Tech.

·        Alabama DB DeMarcco Hellams (DeMatha Catholic HS) made a game-high 11 tackles as the Crimson Tide held on to beat Florida, 31-29.

·        Catholic RB Kevin Licciardi scored his first two touchdowns of the season in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals rallied for a 32-29 win over Endicott. Licciardi had a 24-yard touchdown run and a 50-yard touchdown catch in the final period.

·        Maryland DL Greg Rose (DeMatha Catholic HS) had two sacks that helped force a punt and set up the game-winning field goal as the Terrapins beat Illinois, 20-17.

Week 2 Walter Rouse, Stanford

Stanford University offensive tackle Walter Rouse, who played at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Rouse, a junior, is in his third season as a starter at Stanford. This past Saturday, matched up against a highly-regarded opponent, Rouse took care of business, allowing just one pressure and no sacks in 57 snaps as the Cardinal beat then-No. 14 Southern Cal, 42-28. Rouse’s strong day included a key block on Nathaniel Peat’s 87-yard touchdown run that opened the scoring.

A former standout at Sidwell Friends, Rouse was named to The Athletic’s Freshman All-America second team in 2019. In 2020, he was selected honorable mention All-Pac 12 by the league’s coaches. Rouse was named to preseason watch list for this year’s Outland Trophy, which is presented to the nation’s top offensive lineman.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

·        Kent State RB Marquez Cooper (Quince Orchard HS) rushed 12 times for 119 yards and one touchdown as the Golden Flashes beat VMI, 60-10.

·        Salisbury OLB Casey Counts (Madison HS) made seven tackles (five TFLs) and had three sacks in a 31-14 loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater.

·        Maryland WR Dontay Demus Jr. (Friendship Collegiate) had six catches for 128 yards and one touchdown as the Terrapins beat Howard, 62-0.

·        Georgetown LB Justin Fonteneaux made 12 tackles, intercepted a pass and blocked a field goal attempt as the Hoyas beat Delaware State, 20-14.

·        Bowie State QB Ja’rome Johnson (Eastern HS) completed 27 of 35 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs rallied to beat Saginaw Valley State, 28-19.

·        Temple LB William Kwenkeu (St. Charles HS) made seven tackles, had two sacks and returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown as the Owls beat Akron, 45-24.

·        Virginia OL Olusegun Oluwatimi (DeMatha Catholic HS) was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week after the Cavaliers racked up 556 yards and did not allow a sack in a 42-14 win over Illinois.

Week 1 Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

Photo From Maryland Athletics

University of Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Tagovailoa completed 26 of 36 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions as the Terrapins rallied for a thrilling, 30-24 victory over visiting West Virginia this past Saturday.

Tagovailoa’s big day including a 66-yard touchdown pass to Dontay Demus and a 60-yard touchdown pass to Rakim Jarrett, the 2020 DC Touchdown Club DC High School Player of the Year.

“We saw him execute the offense to a ‘T’ there late in the third quarter, the big pass to Rakim to break the game open,” Maryland Coach Mike Locksley said. “It was a great game for us as a first game, to see who are are and create an identity as a team that is going to fight for four quarters and not let adversity get us down. Proud of Lia and the way he fought as well.”

Tagovailoa has been highly regarded entering his junior season. An honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree last year, he has been named to watch list for the Maxwell Award and the Johnny Unitas Goldem Arm award.

Other notable performers this week included:

·        Catholic University QB Madden Lowe, making his first collegiate start, completed 41 of 55 passes for 433 yards and five touchdowns as the Cardinals beat McDaniel, 40-7.

·        Bowie State DL Jonathan Ross (St. Charles HS) made 10 tackles, forced two fumbles and had a sack as the Division II nationally-ranked Bulldogs hung tough in a 32-24 loss at FCS member Delaware State.

·        Minnesota RB Mo Ibrahim (Good Counsel HS) rushed 30 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a season-ending leg injury late in the third quarter of a 45-31 loss to Ohio State.

·        Christopher Newport QB Matt Dzierski (South County HS), in his first collegiate start, completed 29 of 39 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 14 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning six-yard score with 39 seconds left, as the Captains beat Washington & Lee, 28-24.