Week 13: Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

courtesy photo maryland athletics

University of Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after his strong performance helped the Terrapins close the regular season with a lopsided victory.

Tagovailoa, a redshirt junior, completed 25 of 37 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown as Maryland beat Rutgers, 37-0. It was the 50th touchdown for Tagovailoa in his three seasons in College Park, setting a new school record.

Despite a knee injury that hobbled him at times, Tagovailoa finished with his 12th career 300-yard game.

“It was great to see Taulia build on his legacy here, breaking records of some great quarterbacks that have come before him in a short period of time,” Maryland Coach Mike Locksley said.

“The old adage is if you’ve got a quarterback, you’ve got a chance and I feel really good that we’ve got a quarterback. I continue to see growth in him. Sometimes it’s trying, because he’s a competitive individual and wants to be the best version of himself with each and every play. What he’s been able to do for us obviously to go to back-to-back bowl games – when he’s on, we’re usually on, that’s kind of how it usually goes at that position. Really proud of the way he’s continued to mature.”

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

• Ohio RB Sieh Bangura (DeMatha) rushed 27 times for 96 yards and one touchdown as the Bobcats beat Bowling Green, 38-14, for their seventh consecutive win.

• Kent State RB Marquez Cooper (Quince Orchard) rushed 30 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Flashes beat Buffalo, 30-27 in overtime.

• UCF DE Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (St. John’s) made a season-high eight tackles with one tackle for loss as the Knights beat USF, 46-39, to earn a berth in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

• Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 18 of 22 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown and rushed nine times for 35 yards and three touchdowns as the Trojans beat Notre Dame, 38-27.

Week 12: Caleb Williams, Southern Cal

Courtesy usc athletics

University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, who played at Gonzaga College High School in Northwest Washington, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week for the second time this month after another career night led the fifth-ranked Trojans to a 48-45 win over rival No. 17 UCLA this past Saturday.

Williams, a sophomore, completed 32 of 43 passes for a career-high 470 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a score as Southern Cal earned a berth in the Pac-12 conference championship game. With a victory there and in the regular season finale against Notre Dame, the Trojans could be in position to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff.

On Sunday, the Trojans returned to the Associated Press top 5 for the first time in five years, riding an offense led by Williams, who played at Oklahoma last season. But after Coach Lincoln Riley was hired at Southern Cal, Williams soon followed and he has put together a spectacular season.

Williams has completed 250 of 385 passes for 3,480 yards and 33 touchdowns with just three interceptions, while also rushing for seven touchdowns and leading the Trojans to a 10-1 record. Williams has four 300-yard games and two 400-yard games.

“He’s been one of the best players in the country this year,” Riley said. “He’s played really well.”

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

• Southern Cal WR Jordan Addison (Tuscarora, Md.) caught 11 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown as the Trojans beat UCLA, 48-45.

• Ohio RB Sieh Bangura (DeMatha Catholic) rushed 23 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns as the Bobcats beat Ball State, 32-18.

• Lafayette RB Jamar Curtis (St. John’s) rushed 10 times for 108 yards and one touchdown as the Leopards beat Lehigh, 14-11.

• Navy LB John Marshall (Gonzaga) made 10 tackles and had four sacks as the Midshipmen beat UCF, 17-14.

• Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa completed 26 of 36 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns as the Terrapins lost to Ohio State, 43-30.

• Apprentice QB Mason Tatum (Stone Bridge) completed 16 of 29 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown and rushed 12 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns as the Builders beat Bridgewater, 38-28, in the Neptune Bowl.

• Howard QB Quinton Williams (Wise) completed 17 of 24 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass as the Bison beat Morgan State, 35-6, to win a share of the MEAC regular season title.

Week 11: Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

Photo courtesy Minnesota Athletics

University of Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who starred at Good Counsel High School in Olney, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after his 18th consecutive game with more than 100 yards rushing led the Golden Gophers to a 31-3 win over Northwestern.

Ibrahim carried a season-high 38 times for 178 yards and three touchdowns as Minnesota won its third consecutive game and remained in a tie for first place in the Big Ten West Division. His streak of 100-yard games – which dates back to the 2020 season opener -- is the longest in the Football Bowl Subdivision since 1990

In the process, Ibrahim also tied the Minnesota single-season record for rushing touchdowns (18) and moved into second-place on the school’s career rushing list with 4,264 yards, continuing his strong return from a knee injury in last season’s opening game that forced him to miss the rest of the season.

Golden Gophers Coach P.J. Fleck praised Ibrahim’s ability to take care of his body and prepare for gameday, noting that Ibrahim’s mature approach helps. Ibrahim watches so much films and studies opponents so intently that he can succeed while having a reduced workload at practice.

“Mo is such a fighter and he’s so tough, but I don’t need to see Mo run inside zone 22 times on a Tuesday,” Fleck said. “He’s so smart and does so much unrequired work, the physical part takes care of itself because he’s such a gifted player.”

It also helped, Fleck said, that Minnesota blew out its first three opponents, allowing Ibrahim to rest in the second half of those games.

“Coming back [from the knee injury], he was on a pitch count,” Fleck said. “But we knew it was a blessing, because on the back end we’re going to need him a lot more.”

Minnesota (7-4, 4-3) hosts Iowa in a key game Saturday.

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

• Ohio RB Sieh Bangura (DeMatha Catholic) rushed 20 times for a career-high 145 yards and one touchdown as the Bobcats beat Miami, 37-21.

• Christopher Newport QB Matt Dzierski (South County) completed 17 of 22 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns as the Captains lost to Salisbury, 36-33.

• Frostburg State DE Luke Freeman (Linganore) made seven tackles with 1 ½ sacks and forced a fumble that he recovered and returned one yard for a touchdown as the Bobcats beat West Liberty State, 28-23.

• Averett LB Lamar Horner (Centreville) made 11 tackles and intercepted a pass as the Cougars beat Ferrum, 24-20.

• Howard RB Jarrett Hunter rushed 12 times for 149 yards and one touchdown and caught three passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns as the Bison beat South Carolina State, 28-14.

• Johns Hopkins WR Josh Polce (Walkersville) caught five passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns as the Blue Jays beat McDaniel, 44-7

• Penn State DE Demeioun Robinson (Quince Orchard) had two sacks as the Nittany Lions beat Maryland, 30-0.

• Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 14 of 26 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for two scores as the Trojans beat Colorado, 55-17.

Week 10: Jaylen McDuffie, Seton Hill

Photo by Dymphena Clark/Courtesy Seton Hill Athletics

Seton Hill University linebacker Jaylen McDuffie, who attended McDonough High School in Pomfret, Maryland, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after leading the Griffins to a 7-0 victory over Mercyhurst this past Saturday.

McDuffie, a senior who will graduate in December with a degree in sports management, made a game-high 13 tackles, including 5 ½ tackles for loss and 4 ½ sacks as Seton Hill posted the third shutout since it began fielding a football team in 2004.

A four-year starter, McDuffie was named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division first team last season and he is Seton Hill’s all-time leader with 348 career tackles.

“Jaylen is the absolute heart and soul of our defense,” Seton Hill Coach Daniel Day said. “He brings an absolute professional attitude and work ethic to every single day of preparation. He is a very talented player who has an elevated desire to dominate each rep that he plays. He combines athleticism with relentless play and an incredibly high IQ for the game of football. This makes him the perfect storm of a player to opposing offenses.”

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

• Catholic DE Huey Bodger (Colgan) had three sacks and intercepted a pass as the Cardinals rallied to beat Norwich, 31-14, as they remained undefeated in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference play.

• Frostburg State DE Yasir Holmes (Lackey) made six tackles with four tackles for loss and three sacks and forced a fumble as the Bobcats beat West Virginia Wesleyan, 37-0.

• Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim (Good Counsel) rushed 32 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Gophers beat Nebraska, 20-13.

• Towson WR Isaiah Perkins (Pallotti) caught two touchdown passes as the Tigers beat Villanova, 27-3.

• Gannon LB Keith Thompson (Woodbridge) made 11 tackles with two tackles for loss and 1 ½ sacks as the Golden Knights beat California (Pa.), 25-13.

• Stevenson RB Brandon Walker (Madison) rushed 24 times for 126 yards and one touchdown as the Mustangs beat Wilkes, 28-0.

• Gallaudet QB Brandon Washington rushed 28 times for 228 yards and three touchdowns as the Bison beat Alfred State, 36-22, to win the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title and qualify for the NCAA Division III playoffs.

• Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 26 of 41 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown as the Trojans hung on to beat Cal, 41-35.

About the Military Bowl Foundation
The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation’s service members. Originally formed to create the region’s first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Military Bowl presented by Peraton but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for
recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.

About the DC Touchdown Club
The DC Touchdown Club honors the best in Washington Metro football, with year-round events highlighted by an annual awards dinner. Operated by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Club promotes the game of football, hosts entertaining social events and generates a significant philanthropic impact for Patriot Point. To learn more about the DC Touchdown Club, visit dctouchdownclub.com or follow DC Touchdown Club on Twitter and Instagram @DCTouchdownClub and like DC Touchdown Club on Facebook.

Week 9: Caleb Williams, Southern Cal

Photo courtesy USC Athletics

University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, who played at Gonzaga College High School in Northwest Washington, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after his career night led the 10th-ranked Trojans to a 45-37 win over Arizona this past Saturday.

Williams, a sophomore, completed 31 of 45 passes for a career-high 411 yards and five touchdowns as Southern Cal won despite playing without two of its top wide receivers, who were sidelined by injury.

“Me and Coach [Lincoln Riley] talked right before we went out and he said, ‘Sometimes you don’t have your top guy or your top two guys, so you’ve got to spread the ball around a little more so the other team can’t key on one guy,’ ” Williams said.

It was just another in a long line of standout performances by Williams, who was one of the nation’s top freshmen last season at Oklahoma.

When Riley left Oklahoma for Southern Cal following the season, Williams soon followed. The two have resurrected the Trojans’ program, with help from several other transfers, including wide receiver Jordan Addison, who was last season’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Year after starring for Pitt. Addison missed Saturday’s game because of an injury.

In eight games this season, Williams has completed 178 of 275 passes for 2,382 yards and 24 touchdowns with just one interception, while also rushing for 249 yards and three touchdowns. USC is 7-1.

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

• Gannon DT MaLik Bridgeman (Gonzaga) made three tackles, blocked an extra point and sealed the victory with a fumble recovery as the Golden Knights beat Division II No. 11 Indiana (Pa.), 43-36.

• Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker (Potomac Falls) caught six passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-tying, 15-yard score late in regulation, as the Crusaders beat Fordham, 53-52 in overtime.

• Gallaudet DB Andrae Green (Bell) intercepted two passes, returning one 30 yards for a touchdown, as the Bison beat Anna Maria, 27-13.

• Bowie State WR Kwincy Hall returned a kickoff 88 yards for the game-winning score with 52 seconds left as the Bulldogs beat Elizabeth City State, 36-29.

• Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim (Good Counsel) rushed 36 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Gophers beat Rutgers, 31-0.

• Navy LB John Marshall (Gonzaga) made 11 tackles with 2 ½ tackles for loss and one sack, broke up five passes and had three quarterback hurries as the Midshipmen beat Temple, 27-20 in overtime.

• Georgetown WR Joshua Tomas caught 12 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown as the Hoyas beat Lafayette, 30-20.

• Howard QB Quinton Williams (Wise) completed 17 of 22 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown as the Bison beat Norfolk State, 49-21.

Week 8: Roman Hemby, Maryland

Photo courtesy Maryland Athletics

University of Maryland running back Roman Hemby, who rushed 24 times for a career-high 179 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 75-yard score late in regulation, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after leading the Terrapins to a 31-24 victory over Northwestern this past Saturday.

A redshirt freshman from Edgewood, Maryland, Hemby came through when Maryland needed him most. Northwestern had scored to tie the game at 24 with less than four minutes remaining. But on the next play from scrimmage, Hemby burst through the left side line of scrimmage, picked up some blocks and outraced the defense for the longest run of his college career.

“He showed exactly what we talk about with his ability to hit the home run,” Maryland Coach Mike Locksley said. “It couldn’t have happened at a better time for us. We needed it.”

The Terrapins (6-2) were playing without quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and Hemby’s fellow running back Antwain Littleton II, who were injured.

Hemby was ready to pick up the slack, setting career-highs in rushing attempts, yardage and touchdowns. Hemby leads all Big Ten freshmen with seven rushing touchdowns and he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the second time this season. It was his fourth 100-yard game this season.

“It’s just when your number is called, being ready,” Hemby said. “I can’t determine how many carries I get in a game, but what I do with the carries is all on me. Taking advantage of the opportunity I get.”

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

• Catholic QB Nico Casares completed 22 of 31 passes for 349 yards and five touchdowns as the Cardinals beat Merchant Marine, 41-33.

• Alabama DB DeMarcco Hellams (DeMatha) made 12 tackles, had one sack and broke up two passes as the Crimson Tide beat Mississippi State, 30-6.

• Rhode Island QB Kasim Hill (St. John’s) completed 14 of 24 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown as the Rams beat Monmouth, 48-46, in seven overtimes.

• Frostburg State DE Yasir Holmes (Lackey) made nine tackles with 2 ½ tackles for loss and one sack as the Bobcats beat Fairmont State, 16-14.

• Virginia State DE Zion Johnson (Hylton) made 15 tackles with three tackles for loss as the Trojans beat Elizabeth City State, 34-12.

• Albany QB Reese Poffenbarger (Middletown) completed 33 of 42 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown as the Great Danes lost to Villanova, 31-29.

• Edinboro WR Thaddeus Stanfield (Annapolis Area Christian) caught eight passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Fighting Scots beat Clarion, 47-17.

• Jackson State RB Sy’Veon Wilkerson (Good Counsel) rushed 24 times for a season-high 116 yards and one touchdown as the unbeaten Tigers beat Campbell, 22-14.

Week 7: Brandon Washington, Gallaudet

photo courtesy Gallaudet Athletics

Gallaudet University sophomore Brandon Washington, among the nation’s most versatile college football players, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after his standout performance led the Bison to a comeback victory.

For the second time this season, Washington rushed for a touchdown, threw a touchdown pass and caught a touchdown pass all in the same game as Gallaudet scored the final 20 points to beat Dean College, 26-23, to remain unbeaten in Eastern College Football Conference play.

Washington, who is from Citronelle, Alabama, usually lines up at quarterback or slotback in Gallaudet’s triple-option offense. While the Bison were steady the past several seasons at quarterback with standout Timel Benton, this season there was a vacancy that Washington has helped fill.

Against Dean, Washington completed 2 of 3 passes for 20 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown, rushed 19 times for 51 yards, including a six-yard touchdown, and caught three passes for 53 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown.

“Brandon is such a threat that we just put him where he can get the ball in his hands,” Gallaudet Coach Chuck Goldstein said, noting that Washington usually lines up at quarterback for at least half of the team’s offensive snaps. “He can do everything. He really is special. He could play at a higher level. We’re lucky to have him.”

Washington played wide receiver in high school and lined up in that position last year as a freshman. With an eye on the future, though, Goldstein said that the coaches last fall began working with Washington on learning the quarterback position. At the same time, the Bison have the flexibility to put Washington at wide receiver, where he usually faces man-to-man coverage while opposing defenses focus on stopping the run.

Earlier this season, in a 34-31 win over the University of New England, Washington threw two touchdown passes, rushed 28 times for 160 yards and one touchdown and caught two passes for 60 yards, including the game-winning 20-yard score.

For the season, Washington has completed 5 of 8 passes for 104 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for a team-leading 478 yards and four touchdowns and caught a team-leading 13 passes for 257 yards and all three touchdowns thrown by the Bison’s other quarterback, Nicholas Maccini.

Goldstein said he first learned about Washington from a mass email he sends out annually to 27,000 high school football coaches nationally, asking if they have any deaf or hard-of-hearing players. Growing up in Citronelle, Alabama, in the southwestern corner of the state, Washington was mainstreamed and attended Citronelle High School. He lost an estimated half of the hearing in his right ear because of an ear infection when he was young.

“In the classroom, he sits on the right side of the classroom and in the front, because he good ear is his left ear, so he can hear everyone to the left,” Goldstein said. “He can read lips. And now he is learning a new skill, American Sign Language.”

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

• Hampden-Sydney WR Mason Cunningham (Yorktown) caught nine passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers beat Averett, 37-26.

• Christopher Newport QB Matt Dzierski (South County) completed 18 of 24 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 27 times for 51 yards and two touchdowns as the Captains beat Kean, 24-13.

• Shepherd DB Donte Harrison (Carroll) returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown and returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown as the undefeated Rams beat Millersville, 55-17.

• Maryland RB Roman Hemby rushed 17 times for 107 yards and one touchdown as the Terrapins beat Indiana, 38-33.

• Rhode Island QB Kasim Hill (St. John’s) completed 17 of 29 passes for 201 yards and rushed 13 times for 73 yards and one touchdown as the Rams beat Elon, 17-10.

• Albany QB Reese Poffenbarger (Middletown) completed 26 of 35 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns as the Great Danes lost to Hampton, 38-37 in overtime.

• Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 25 of 42 passes for 385 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 57 yards as the Trojans lost to Utah, 43-42.

• Sacred Heart WR Kenneth Womack (Bishop McNamara) caught eight passes for 173 yards as the Pioneers beat Stonehill, 40-27.

Week 6: Shawn Harris, Bridgewater

Photo by Mwizenge Tembo/Courtesy Bridgewater Athletics

Bridgewater College safety Shawn Harris, who played at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after his standout performance led the Eagles to a big victory.

Harris, a senior in his third season as a starter, made 16 tackles with four tackles for loss and one sack, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass that he returned 28 yards to set up a touchdown as undefeated Bridgewater rallied to beat previously undefeated Shenandoah, 23-17, in a key Old Dominion Athletic Conference game.

“Sean had an outstanding game,” Bridgewater Coach Scott Lemn said. “His interception was critical and ended up being the pivotal play in the game for our team to take the lead. He is a team captain and leads by his example on and off the field.”

A three-year starter at Paint Branch, Harris played linebacker for two years before moving to safety. He played in eight games at Bridgewater as a freshman and was named second-team all-conference as a sophomore following the spring 2021 season. Harris was sixth on the team in tackles last season and has continued to shine this fall.

His first career interception came early in the fourth quarter, with Bridgewater trailing, 17-9. Harris returned the ball to the Shenandoah 2-yard line, setting up a touchdown. Shenandoah fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Bridgewater, which leads all divisions of NCAA football in turnover margin, scored again to take its first lead of the game.

Bridgewater (5-0) faces the ODAC’s other undefeated team, Randolph-Macon, this Saturday.

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

• James Madison RB Percy Agyei-Obese (Oakdale) rushed 21 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns as the undefeated Dukes beat Arkansas State, 42-20, and moved into the FBS national rankings for the first time in school history.

• Catholic QB Nico Casares completed 23 of 36 passes for 278 yards and two second-half touchdowns as the Cardinals rallied to beat Worcester Polytechnic, 24-21.

• Hampden-Sydney WR Mason Cunningham (Yorktown) caught 13 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers beat Ferrum, 35-16.

• Navy RB Daba Fofana rushed 21 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns as the Midshipmen beat Tulsa, 53-21.

• Bowie State QB Dion Golatt Jr. (Riverdale Baptist) completed 17 of 29 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Virginia State, 41-14.

• Virginia Union DE Xzavier Hines (DuVal) made a game-high 11 tackles with one tackle for loss as the Panthers beat Elizabeth City State, 49-0.

Week 5: Marquez Cooper and Collin Schlee, Kent State

Photo courtesy Kent State Athletics

Kent State University quarterback Collin Schlee and running back Marquez Cooper, who starred at suburban Maryland high schools, are the Washington Metro College Players of the Week after turning in career performances in the Golden Flashes’ 31-24 overtime victory against Ohio this past Saturday.

Schlee, a redshirt junior from Oakdale High in his first season as a starter, completed 24 of 37 passes for 398 yards and also rushed for the game-tying touchdown late in regulation.

Cooper, a junior from Quince Orchard High, rushed a staggering 40 times for 240 yards two touchdowns, including the game-winning one-yard score in overtime.

“It’s 365, 24/7 with him – the kid absolutely loves everything that is required to be an elite-level back,” Kent State Coach Sean Lewis said. “His competitive spirit, his competitive stamina. The way he works and he trains and takes care of himself year-round allows him to be that workhorse featured back for us. … He’s just consistently good, not occasionally great. It doesn’t surprise me he can tote the rock that many times and not wear down.”

While Cooper is used to being Kent State’s featured running back – last season he became the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 10 years – Schlee is seeing his first significant action since leading Oakdale to the Maryland 2A title in 2018. (Cooper led Quince Orchard to the Maryland 4A title that same year.)

And Schlee was thrown right into the fire against perhaps the nation’s most challenging nonconference schedule, with road games at Washington, Oklahoma and Georgia. The Golden Flashes were competitive in two of those games, helping prepare Schlee for Saturday, when he directed the game-tying drive after Ohio had taken a 24-17 lead with less than four minutes left in regulation.

“He doesn’t lack confidence very much and I think that this is going to continue to help with that,” Lewis said. “With all the work that we talk about all the time, at the end of the day all of us need a payday. Work is great, but you need to cash that check every now and again. Being able to put in that work and throw for almost 400 yards, that’s a testament to him and doing the next thing the right way and it’s a testament to what he’s done the past three years quietly in the dark while he’s been waiting for this opportunity and while he’s trained for this opportunity.”

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

• Catholic QB Nico Casares, making his first career start on his birthday, completed 31 of 46 passes for 448 yards and five touchdowns as the Cardinals beat MIT, 42-7.

• William & Mary K Ethan Chang (Marshall) made two field goals, including a school-record 57-yarder, as the Tribe beat Stony Brook, 27-10.

• Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker (Potomac Falls) caught 10 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown as the Crusaders beat Harvard, 30-21.

• Bowie State QB Dion Golatt Jr. (Riverdale Baptist) completed 32 of 40 passes for a school-record 439 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Livingstone, 53-7.

• Alabama S DeMarcco Hellams (DeMatha) made six tackles, recovered two fumbles and broke up a pass as the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas, 49-26.

• McDaniel DB Earl Spicer (Westlake) made 11 tackles with two tackles for loss, intercepted two passes and broke up two passes as the Green Terror beat Dickinson, 21-13.

• Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa completed 32 of 41 passes for 314 yards and one touchdown as the Terrapins beat Michigan State, 27-13.

• Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 27 of 37 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns and rushed eight times for 44 yards and one touchdown as the Trojans beat Arizona State, 42-25.

Week 4: Daniel Davies, Navy

Photo courtesy Navy Athletics

U.S. Naval Academy kicker Daniel Davies, who made the first three field goal attempts of his career, including the decisive 36-yarder in the second overtime as the Midshipmen earned their first victory this season, is the Washington Metro College Player of the Week.

Davies, who began the season as the Navy’s third-string placekicker and normally is the team’s holder, also made a 37-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 43-yard field goal in the first overtime as Navy beat host East Carolina, 23-20.

“What an amazing story,” Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

A senior from suburban Dallas, Davies was the Midshipmen’s punter in 2020. He was the holder on place kicks last season and this season. But with starting placekicker Bijan Nichols sidelined by an injury, Davies this past week won a practice competition to earn the right to kick against East Carolina.

Davies was perfect on the night. His first field goal tied the game 3-3 entering halftime. There was considerably more pressure in the first overtime, when he needed to make a longer kick to force another overtime period.

“I’ve been part of pressure kicks before, but it’s definitely different” being the kicker and not the holder, Davies said.

Having sent the game to a second overtime, Davies looked forward to the opportunity to make a game-winning kick. He had missed a similar opportunity in high school, the only other time he had attempted a kick, but resolved that this instance would be different.

“That’s what you prepare for in practice, a game-winner type situation,” Davies said. “Every kick in practice is a game-winner, so when you get into the moment you’re ready for it.”

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

• Shepherd WR Marlon Cook (Potomac, Md.) caught nine passes for 212 yards and one touchdown as the Rams beat Kutztown, 42-35.

• Virginia State QB Jordan Davis (Woodbridge) completed 18 of 30 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown and rushed 10 times for 59 yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans beat Livingstone, 37-7.

• Frostburg State DE Luke Freeman (Linganore) made nine tackles with three for losses, a sack and forced two fumbles as the Bobcats lost to Concord, 23-22.

• Minnesota RB Mo Ibrahim (Good Counsel) rushed 22 times for 103 yards and one touchdown as the Golden Gophers beat Michigan State, 34-7.

• California (Pa.) RB Eric McKan (Bullis) rushed 15 times for 117 yards and three touchdowns as the Vulcans beat Edinboro, 49-7.

• UCF DL Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (St. John’s) made three tackles, had one sack and recovered two fumbles as the Knights beat Georgia Tech, 27-10.

• Penn State S Zakee Wheatley (Spalding) made his first career interception and had five tackles as the Nittany Lions beat Central Michigan, 33-14.

Week 3: Beau Brade, Maryland

Courtesy Maryland athletics

University of Maryland safety Beau Brade, who played at River Hill High School in Clarksville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week.

Brade, who has led the Terrapins in tackling in each of their three victories this season, made a career-high 15 tackles, had his first career interception, forced a fumble deep in his own end of the field and broke up two passes as Maryland beat SMU, 34-27, on Saturday night.

It has been a strong season for Brade, who has steadily moved up the depth chart in College Park. The Howard County Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 as a senior at River Hill, Brade played mostly on special teams as a freshman and was a backup on defense as a sophomore. He moved into the starting lineup this season and has excelled.

Although there was plenty of offense on Saturday and the Terrapins were flagged for several costly penalties, Coach Mike Locksley credited his players for coming through when it was most needed.

“You turn and look at the stats and you would say our defense didn’t play well,” Locksley said. “But when we needed to make stops, we made stops.

“We’ve got two young leaders that really showed up big for us in Dante Trader Jr. and Beau. Really smart, tough, reliable players. Today, Beau played with the physicality that we want our team to play with. It’s good to see those guys getting better.”

“In clutch moments, we stepped up to the plate and didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot,” Brade said.

Maryland (3-0) gets its biggest test yet this season on Saturday, when it travels to Michigan.

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

• Morgan State OLB Nana Asante (Paint Branch) made five tackles with 3 ½ tackles for loss as the Bears beat Sacred Heart, 24-9.

• Shepherd K Jacob Haynie (Robinson) made a game-tying 42-yard field goal as regulation expired and the game-winning 23-yard field goal in overtime as the Rams beat California (Pa.), 26-23.

• Shenandoah QB Steven Hugney (Robinson) completed 24 of 39 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns as the Hornets beat Maryville, 34-29.

• Minnesota RB Mo Ibrahim (Good Counsel) rushed 23 times for 202 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Gophers beat Colorado, 49-7.

• Gallaudet slot Brandon Washington rushed 28 times for 160 yards and one touchdown, completed 3 of 5 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 60 yards including the game-winning 20-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter as the Bison beat New England, 34-31.

• Washington and Lee RB Alex Wertz (Dominion) rushed 32 times for 150 yards and three touchdowns as the Generals beat Methodist, 37-14.

• USC QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 25 of 37 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores as the Trojans beat Fresno State, 45-17.

• Howard QB Quinton Williams (Wise) completed 21 of 27 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns as the Bison beat Morehouse, 31-0.

Week 2: Jordan Addison, USC

Courtesy USC Athletics

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

Addison won the award twice last season while starring at Pittsburgh and was named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Year. He also received the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver.

Addison’s offseason transfer to USC caused an uproar, but on the field he has continued scorching defenses, much as he did throughout his first two seasons at Pitt.

This past Saturday, Addison caught seven passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns as USC beat Stanford, 41-28. In two games this season, Addison has 12 catches for 226 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojans are off to a 2-0 start, with Addison and quarterback Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) leading the way.

In addition to being in the spotlight on the field, Addison’s profile has raised significantly since transferring to USC. He has signed a marketing deal with United Airlines and is featured in the company’s college football advertising, pledging “new routes coming this fall.”

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

• Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker (Potomac Falls) caught four passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 62-yard score as time expired, as the Crusaders beat Buffalo, 37-31.

• McDaniel QB Eric Grinwis (Hammond) completed 26 of 39 passes for 410 yards and one touchdown as the Green Terror beat Juniata, 35-19.

• Alabama DB DeMarcco Hellams (DeMatha Catholic) made a team-leading 10 tackles (eight solo) with one tackle for loss and broke up one pass as the Crimson Tide beat Texas, 20-19.

• Susquehanna KR Kyle Howes (Urbana) returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and later had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as the River Hawks beat Franklin & Marshall, 39-36.

• Slippery Rock DL Munchie Johnson (Suitland) made eight tackles with three tackles for loss as the Rock beat West Chester, 35-14.

• Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa completed 27 of 31 passes for 391 yards and four touchdowns as the Terrapins beat Charlotte, 56-21.

• James Madison WR Kris Thornton (Osbourn) caught seven passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns as the Dukes beat Norfolk State, 63-7.

• Washington and Lee RB Alex Wertz (Dominion) rushed 18 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns as the Generals beat Sewanee, 44-0.

Week 1: Kris Thornton, James Madison

Courtesy JMU Athletics

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 senior, caught 11 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Dukes win their first-ever game as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, 44-7 over Middle Tennessee. The Touchdown Club also honored Thornton as its Player of the Week last season.

“We had a different mentality, to make a statement for our first FBS game,” Thornton said.

Thornton continued to show that while he stands just 5 feet 8, he can make an impact on any level. He began his collegiate career at VMI, playing two seasons and earning second-team all-Southern Conference honors.

Thornton then transferred to James Madison, where his father, Keith, played wide receiver from 1987 to 1990. Last season, Thornton was named first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association, setting James Madison’s single-season record for receptions (83) and single-game record for touchdowns (4).

Entering this season, Thornton was named first-team all-Sun Belt Conference and he took no time to show that moving up in competition would not be a problem. He caught three touchdown passes in less than nine minutes spanning the second and third quarters, with scoring plays of 7, 35 and 19 yards as the Dukes turned the game into a rout.

“Obviously it’s a great win. We made a statement,” James Madison Coach Curt Cignetti said. “I think we opened a lot of people’s eyes across the country.”

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

• Shepherd WR Marlon Cook (Potomac, Md.) caught eight passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams beat Southern Connecticut State, 48-7.

• Penn State OT Olu Fashanu (Gonzaga) did not allow any pressure in 49 passing plays and graded out at 91 percent as the Nittany Lions beat Purdue, 35-31.

• Bowie State QB Dion Golatt Jr. (Riverdale Baptist) completed 17 of 30 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with nine seconds left as the Bulldogs beat New Haven, 27-20.

• Wake Forest QB Mitch Griffis (Broad Run), making his first collegiate start, completed 21 of 29 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns as the Demon Deacons beat VMI, 44-10.

• Minnesota RB Mo Ibrahim (Good Counsel), who was injured in last year’s season opener and missed the rest of the season, rushed 21 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Gophers beat New Mexico State, 38-0.

• Pittsburgh DL John Morgan III (DeMatha Catholic) made four tackles, with three tackles for loss and one sack, and forced a fumble as the Panthers beat West Virginia, 38-31.

• William & Mary OLB John Pius (Yorktown) made nine tackles, with 4 ½ tackles for loss and 1 ½ sacks, and broke up a pass as the Tribe beat Charlotte, 41-24, for its first win over an FBS opponent since 2009.

• USC QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 19 of 22 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns (both to DC Touchdown Club College Player of the Year Jordan Addison from Tuscarora HS) and rushed eight times for 68 yards to lead the Trojans to a 66-14 win over Rice.