Week 8: Jalen Green, James Madison

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photo courtesy jmu athletics

James Madison University defensive end Jalen Green, who starred at Good Counsel High School in Olney, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after yet another sensational performance this past Thursday night.

Green, who in his first four years of college played three seasons as a reserve and missed another because of injury, tallied five sacks as the Dukes did not allow an offensive score and improved to 7-0 with a 20-9 win at Marshall.

“Jalen Green was unbelievable. The whole defense was, too,” James Madison Coach Curt Cignetti said during a postgame interview. “They continue to amaze and impress.”

Leading that list is Green, who entered this season with one career start and five career sacks. But this fall has been different – Green leads the nation with 13 sacks and is closing in on the school single-season record of 16 ½.

“I just feel really comfortable,” Green said during a postgame interview. “I’m really confident and I’m feeling really good. I think it’s simple as that. Working hard week in and week out, just keeping it going.”

Part of the success, Green said, comes from his ability to continue playing hard, no matter what takes place on the field.

“It’s his quickness off the ball and his tenacity,” Cignetti said. “He is putting together a great year. I’m so proud of him, I can’t say enough. Those guys just feed off each other and he’s hard to block.

Green said there was an expectation that he could have a big night at Marshall.

“Doing our research, we knew they had given up 21 sacks on the season so we knew there would be opportunities out there for us,” he said. “We just had to contain the quarterback. That was a huge point of emphasis for us – to contain him, keep him in the pocket and get home.”

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

  • Ball State RB Marquez Cooper (Quince Orchard) rushed 26 times for 162 yards and one touchdown as the Cardinals beat Central Michigan, 24-17.

  • Lafayette RB Jamar Curtis (St. John’s) rushed 30 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns as the Leopards beat Holy Cross, 38-35, to end the Crusaders’ 18-game Patriot League winning streak.

  • Georgetown WR Nicholas Dunneman caught 15 passes for 205 yards and one touchdown in the Hoyas’ 28-18 loss to Colgate.

  • Christopher Newport WR Colin Hart (Stone Bridge) caught seven passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns as the Captains beat Kean, 34-10.

  • Gallaudet RB Dre’Vaughn Mackall (Calvert) rushed 26 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns as the Bison beat Alfred State, 38-24.

  • Albany QB Reese Poffenbarger (Middletown) completed 15 of 27 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns as the Great Danes beat Rhode Island, 35-10.

  • Stevenson DB Justin Rutkowski (Briar Woods) intercepted two passes, returning one for a 65-yard touchdown, as the Mustangs beat Misericordia, 33-21.

  • Bowie State DB Mychale Salahuddin (H.D. Woodson) made seven tackles with two tackles for loss, broke up a pass and had two quarterback hurries as the Bulldogs beat Bluefield State, 41-10.