DALLAS (FWAA) – Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 6, the weekend of Oct. 8:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Sieh Bangura, RB, Ohio (6-0, 220, Bowie, Md.): 16 rushes, 90 yards, 3 TD; 1 reception, 25 yards, 1 TD
Bangura’s four total touchdowns led Ohio to a 55-34 win against Akron. The redshirt freshman did it all for the Bobcats (3-3), displaying his power, agility, and pass-catching prowess in the win. Bangura’s 356 yards and five scores on the ground are both team-leading totals. Bangura and the Bobcats will need another strong week if they want to beat a stout Western Michigan run defense this weekend.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (6-2, 207, Southlake, Texas): 21/31, 289 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT; 2 rushes, 17 yards
Ewers’ first game back since sustaining a shoulder injury in Week 2 was nothing short of fantastic. The redshirt freshman led Texas to a 49-0 destruction of bitter rival Oklahoma. Ewers displayed pinpoint accuracy and decision-making in the most lopsided win over Oklahoma in school history. Ewers and the Longhorns (3-2), now ranked at No. 22, are slated to face the Big 12’s best defense in Iowa State on Saturday.
Dylan Hazen, LB, Wake Forest (6-1, 230, The Woodlands, Texas): 12 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT
Hazen’s 12 tackles were tied for the most for Wake Forest in a 45-10 win over Army. The Demon Deacons (5-1) added the redshirt freshman as a third linebacker to counter Army’s run-heavy offense. Hazen and the Wake Forest defense will look to have a field day against Boston College this weekend, which has the lowest-ranked offense in the ACC.
Mike Washington, RB, Buffalo (6-2, 215, Utica, N.Y.): 16 rushes, 155 yards, 2 TD
Washington helped will Buffalo to its third straight win, a 38-7 count against Bowling Green. The redshirt freshman scored both of his touchdowns in the second quarter, the former a 92-yard blazing run. The two-star recruit made a defender miss in the backfield and shot out of a cannon, burning the Falcon defense. Washington and the Bulls (3-3) will look to earn their first winning record of the season against UMass on Saturday.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Sonny Dykes, TCU: Dykes’ Horned Frogs earned the program’s first 5-0 start since 2017 with a 38-31 win at then-No. 19-ranked Kansas. TCU, now ranked at No. 13, is one of just 13 undefeated Power 5 programs. Max Duggan was 23-of-33 passing for 308 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception while Quentin Johnson hauled in 14 receptions for 206 yards and the go-ahead TD. The Horned Frogs will host No. 8-ranked Oklahoma State in a clash between the Big 12’s last two unbeaten teams on Saturday.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish toppled then-No. 16-ranked BYU by a 28-20 count to improve to 11-0 in their Shamrock Series. Drew Pyne completed 22-of-28 passes for 262 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for Notre Dame’s (3-2) third straight win. Tight end Michael Mayer also notched the most career receptions in program history with 118 yards and two scores in the win. Freeman will look to lead his rolling team to another home win on Saturday night against Stanford.
Dan Lanning, Oregon: Lanning’s explosive offense continued to fire on all cylinders in a 49-22 trouncing of Arizona. The No. 12-ranked Ducks (5-1) ran all over the Wildcats to the tune of 306 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns. Bo Nix led the way with 20 completions for 265 yards through the air and 70 yards with three scores on the ground. Oregon will use an off week to prepare for a date with No. 11-ranked UCLA on Oct. 22.
Bryant Vincent, UAB: Vincent’s Blazers demolished Middle Tennessee State 41-14. Running back DeWayne McBride led the offense with 12 carries for 120 yards and three scores. UAB (3-2) held the Blue Raiders to just 196 yards passing on 43 attempts. The Blazers will try to roll again when a struggling Charlotte team visits Birmingham this weekend.
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