WEEK 10: Kris Thornton, James Madison

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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.