Week 0. The first week of the regular season. The end of the longest drought in college football fans’ lives. Georgie Tech “upset” Florida State to kick off the slate, while SMU nearly avoided their own upset against Nevada. Certain athletes stood out on every stage, earning them a spot among the Week 0 College Football Players of the Week.
College Football Players of the Week | Week 0
Quarterback of the Week: Brendon Lewis, Nevada
The first award was also the most difficult to decipher. Haynes King led Georgia Tech to their first victory over a top-10 program since 2015 (also against FSU), but his numbers were far from impressive. Meanwhile, Devon Dampier flashed at times, but he couldn’t hang on to defeat Montana State. Thus, Brendon Lewis is your Week 0 QB of the Week. Lewis completed 14 of 26 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 77 yards on 18 carries against SMU. Although the Wolf Pack allowed the Mustangs to score 16 points unanswered to come back in the fourth quarter, that was more so on head coach Jeff Choate’s game management, the defense, and poor special teams. Honorable mentions: Haynes King, Georgia Tech; Devon Dampier, New Mexico.
Offensive Player of the Week: RJ Maryland, TE, SMU
The No. 2 player on our 2024 ACC TE Rankings, RJ Maryland picked up right where he left off. He single-handedly powered SMU’s comeback effort, with Preston Stone looking his way often down the stretch. Maryland finished the contest with eight receptions, 162 yards, and the game-sealing TD. A tailor-made seam ripper at 6’4″ and 233 pounds, SMU would benefit from force-feeding Maryland the rest of the season. MORE: 2024 College Football Power Rankings Honorable mentions: Ja’Khi Douglas, WR, Florida State; Malik Benson, WR, Florida State; Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech; Luke Wysong, WR, New Mexico; Cortez Braham Jr., WR, Nevada
Defensive Player of the Week: Noah Avinger, CB, New Mexico
Welcome back, Noah Avinger! After playing in 25 games and starting eight in 2021 and 2022, he redshirted the 2023 season at San Diego State. A year off was all he needed to return to his playmaking ways. In his Lobos debut, Avinger led the team in tackles with 14 (nine solo) and deflected two pass attempts. Yet, his most impactful play came on a 13-yard fumble return three plays into the third quarter, New Mexico’s second scoop-and-score of the game. Honorable mentions: Shyheim Brown, DB, Florida State; Kyle Efford, LB, Georgia Tech; Romello Height, DL, Georgia Tech; Jayden Wilson, LB, New Mexico; Christian Ellis, S, New Mexico; Chad Brown, CB, Nevada; Drue Watts, LB, Nevada
Special Teams Player of the Week: Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State
The Seminoles may have lost, but Ryan Fitzgerald was a big winner in Week 0. The longtime FSU kicker nailed two 50+ yarders in the first game of the season. The first was a 52-yard field goal early in the second quarter, while the second was a career-long 59-yard kick — the second-longest in school history — as time expired in the first half. Fitzgerald also pushed through his only extra point of the night, doing all he could to keep his team in the game. Honorable mentions: Aidan Birr, K, Georgia Tech; Alex Mastromanno, P, Florida State; Collin Rogers, K, SMU; Tylan Hines, PR, Hawaii.
Freshman Player of the Week: AJ Thomas, DL, McNeese State
After spending the 2023 season on the bench at Tulane, AJ Thomas transferred to McNeese State and made an immediate impact. The 6’2″ and 230-pound redshirt freshman came up with a first-down sack as the third quarter expired and finished with multiple run stops. The best part? That was in a rotational role — expect Thomas to earn more playing time in Week 1.
FCS Player of the Week: Adam Jones, RB, Montana State
Montana State ran all over New Mexico, gaining 362 yards on the ground. Redshirt freshman Adam Jones led the way, taking 17 carries for 167 yards and a score, including a 93-yard TD with 4:35 left in the fourth quarter to put the Bobcats within striking distance (31-28). As a little sprinkle on top, Jones caught two passes for 10 yards, but it was his breakaway speed that will have fans talking about his performance well into the season. Honorable mentions: Kasyus Kurns, CB, Tarleton State; Kayvon Britten, RB, Tarleton State; Adrian Guzman, P, Tarleton State; Finn Lappin, P, McNeese State; Ty McCullouch, WR, Montana State; Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State; Danny Uluilakepa, LB, Montana State; Payton Brown, RB, SEMO; Jayvian Allen, RB, North Alabama.
HBCU Player of the Week: Daniel Richardson, QB, Florida A&M
With Jeremy Moussa pursuing a professional career, the Rattlers were in need of a new QB. Enter Daniel Richardson. Playing in his sixth and final season on his third collegiate team, expectations were high for Richardson, and he lived up to them in Week 0. In a tight MEAC/SWAC challenge against Norfolk State, Richardson completed 22 of 30 passes for 286 yards and three TDs. He hit WR Jamari Gassett, who finished with an 8-110-2 receiving line, for a 55-yard TD to give FAMU its first lead (17-14) early in the third. Then, later in the quarter, he found Gassett again for a nine-yard score, putting the Rattlers up 24-17. FREE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor The Spartans brought it within one point, but after a failed two-point conversion, Richardson and Co. ran 11 plays for 63 yards to wrap up the victory. Richardson had some misses early on, but if he can maintain that level of play all year, the Rattlers will be in pole position to win back-to-back SWAC titles. Honorable mentions: Kevin King, RB, Norfolk State; Jamari Gassett, WR, Florida A&M; Nathan Wilson, P, Delaware State. College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!