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 8, the weekend of Oct. 22:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (5-11, 208, St. Louis, Mo.): 4 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD; 1 rush, 10 yards, 1 TD
Burden scored both of Missouri’s touchdowns and led the team in receiving in a 17-14 win over Vanderbilt. Tacklers continued to bounce off the shifty true freshman like they have all season. Burden’s four total touchdowns on the year co-lead the Tigers (3-4). Burden, who led Missouri in receiving for the first time this season, will look to impress again on Saturday at No. 25-ranked South Carolina.
Roman Hemby, RB, Maryland (6-0, 200, Edgewood, Md.): 24 rushes, 179 yards, 3 TD; 2 receptions, 14 yards
Hemby posted his fourth 100-yard game and first three-touchdown performance this season in a 31-24 defeat of Northwestern. The redshirt freshman exploded for a 75-yard touchdown sprint to score the go-ahead points for Maryland late in the game. Hemby’s 681 rushing yards are the second-most among FBS freshmen. The powerful back will try to lead the Terrapins (6-2) to their fourth conference win against a Wisconsin defense on Nov. 5.
Damien Martinez, RB, Oregon State (6-0, 216, Lewisville, Texas): 22 rushes, 178 yards, 3 TD; 1 reception, 10 yards
Martinez and the Beavers took advantage of a porous Colorado front en route to a 42-9 beatdown. The true freshman rammed through defenders and logged his second consecutive game with over 100 rushing yards. He also displayed plenty of burst, scoring all three of his touchdowns from inside the five-yard line. Martinez and Oregon State (6-2) will have the week off to prepare for a road matchup with a strong Washington team on Nov. 4.
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU (6-2, 220, Cypress, Texas): 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, 2 QB hurries
Perkins played a key part in LSU slowing down a daunting run game in a 45-20 win over then-No. 7 Ole Miss. He helped the 18th-ranked Tigers (6-2) limit one of the SEC’s best ground attacks to just 117 yards on 37 attempts. The true freshman is second on the team in sacks (2.5) and third in tackles (36). LSU and Perkins will use an idle week to prepare for No. 6-ranked Alabama visiting the bayou on Nov. 5.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Kalen DeBoer, Washington: DeBoer’s Huskies won their first road game of the year, a 28-21 battle against Cal. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who still leads the country in passing yards, completed 36 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns. DeBoer’s defensive front allowed just 61 rushing yards on 31 attempts. Washington (6-2) will next face Oregon State on Nov. 4.
Sonny Dykes, TCU: Dykes and the Horned Frogs won their fourth consecutive top 25 matchup, overcoming a 28-10 second quarter deficit to beat then-No. 17 Kansas State. Max Duggan threw for 280 yards and three scores and Kendre Miller added another 153 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The TCU (7-0) defense did not allow any points in the second half to move to 4-0 in the Big 12. The No. 7 Horned Frogs’ last five games consist of five unranked opponents, beginning with a road date at West Virginia on Saturday.
Brian Kelly, LSU: Kelly’s Tigers completely dismantled No. 7 Ole Miss by a 45-20 count to improve to 4-1 in the SEC. It was the second consecutive 45-point performance for LSU (6-2) after beating rival Florida 45-35 last week. Jayden Daniels was explosive again, throwing for 248 yards passing and two touchdowns with another 121 yards and three scores on the ground. The Tigers, who share first place in their division with No. 6-ranked Alabama, will next battle the Crimson Tide for the top of the SEC West on Nov. 5.
Dan Lanning, Oregon: Lanning’s Ducks quacked loud, knocking off No. 9 UCLA by a 45-30 count to take first place in the Pac-12 North. Oregon (6-1) has outscored its opponents by an average score of 49-25 since Week 2. Bo Nix was nothing short of electric, completing 22 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns while Troy Franklin hauled in eight passes for 132 yards and two scores. The 8th-ranked Ducks will try to win their seventh straight at Cal this weekend.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.