There were several must-watch games on the Week 4 schedule, but this is college football — every game is must-watch TV. Clemson punched NC State in the mouth. Navy handed Memphis a debilitating L. And naturally, there was no shortage of eye-popping performances.
Without further ado, the Week 4 College Football Players of the Week.
College Football Players of the Week | Week 4
Quarterback of the Week: Alonza Barnett III, James Madison
When Bob Chesney took over for Curt Cignetti, he brought in Washington transfer to presumably be the guy under center. However, sophomore QB Alonza Barnett III beat him out and has led the Dukes to a 3-0 start.
His most recent performance was by far the best, and it came against James Madison’s stiffest opponent thus far — at least on paper.
Barnett led the offense to a ridiculous 70 points against North Carolina, setting a new program record for points against an FBS opponent. But he wasn’t done there. Barnett accounted for a single-game JMU record of seven touchdowns, with five coming through the air and two more on the ground.
It’s not as if the dual-threat QB was inefficient, either, completing 22 of 34 passes for 388 yards and rushing for another 110 yards on 11 carries (when taking out sacks). Barnett’s record-breaking day solidified his place as the leader of the Dukes, and with performances like that, it’s clear they found their face for the future — and the present.
Honorable mentions: Luke Altmyer, Illinois; Gio Lopez, South Alabama; John Mateer, Washington State; Graham Mertz, Florida; Kurtis Rourke, Indiana; Cade Klubnik, Clemson; Bryson Daily, Army; Eli Holstein, Pitt; Drew Allar, Penn State; Evan Simon, Temple; Cam Ward, Miami; Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss.
Offensive Player of the Week: Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
Blake Horvath was so good that we had to have two QBs on the Players of the Week. Still, it’s not much of a cheat, as most of his production came on the ground, allowing us to bend the rules.
Horvath single-handedly dashed Memphis’ College Football Playoff hopes, powering the Midshipmen to a 56-44 upset and their first 3-0 start since 2017.
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Navy punted the ball on three drives — they scored seven touchdowns. Horvath connected on 9 of 12 passes for 192 yards and two scores, which is a tremendous effort from a service academy QB, but that was only the beginning.
Horvath took 12 carries for *checks notes* 211 yards and four TDs, including a 90-yard run to the house that was practically the nail in the coffin with eight minutes left in the contest. If that wasn’t enough, he also recorded a reception for 13 yards — a triple-threat QB!
Honorable mentions: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State; Makhi Hughes, RB, Tulane; Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina; Nick Nash, WR, SJSU; Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan; Mario Anderson, RB, Memphis; Avery Morrow, RB, Colorado State; Jack Bech, WR, TCU; Brashard Smith, RB, SMU; Devonte Ross, WR, Troy; Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa; Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas; Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss; Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State.
Defensive Player of the Week: Colin Ramos, LB, Navy
All credit to Horvath on the offensive side of the ball, but he wasn’t the only difference-maker on the field for the Midshipmen in Week 4.
Colin Ramos has increased his tackle total in each game this season, beginning with 10 in Week 1, 15 in Week 2, and a career-high 20 against Memphis. But Ramos is more than just a tackling machine, generating a sack, another tackle for loss, and a key pass deflection during the Tigers’ comeback attempt near the end zone.
Ramos’ all-around dominance was pivotal in sealing the victory, proving he’s not just a stat-stuffer but a true game-changer for Navy’s defense.
Honorable mentions: Alec Bryant, DL, Illinois; David Bailey, EDGE, Stanford; John Bullock, LB, Nebraska; Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt; Jimmori Robinson, DL, UTSA; Boubacar Traore, DL, Notre Dame; Josaiah Stewart, DL, Michigan; Alex Howard, LB, Duke; Terrence Spence, CB, JMU; Trey Rucker, LB, Oklahoma State; Jordan Cobbs, LB, SJSU; Ahmaad Moses, S, SMU; Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo; Devonte’ Mathews, DB, WKU; Tyler Batty, DL, BYU.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Emmet Kenney, K, Stanford
There were a few return TDs this week and other more versatile performances from special teamers — looking at those two-point conversions, Noe Ruelas and Kai Kroeger — but no one made more of an impact than Emmet Kenney.
While Stanford’s offense struggled to score TDs, Kenney was automatic on field goals. His 4 of 4 performance included a 51-yarder that had room for more and the game-winning 39-yarder as time expired. Going from Joshua Karty to Kenney is simply unfair in a sport where reliable kicking can’t be taken for granted.
Honorable mentions: Jack Stonehouse, P, Syracuse; Noe Ruelas, K, James Madison; Maddux Trujillo, K, Temple; Roderick Daniels Jr., PR, SMU; Rayshawn Pleasant, KR, Tulane; Jamaal Bell, KR, Baylor; Kai Kroeger, P, South Carolina; Parker Kingston, PR, BYU.
Freshman Player of the Week: Fluff Bothwell, RB, South Alabama
Fluff Bothwell is a 5’10”, 219-pound true freshman who could’ve made the list last week after taking seven carries for 143 yards and two TDs against Northwestern State.
However, the level of competition saw him relegated to an honorable mention — not this week.
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Against preseason Sun Belt favorite App State, Bothwell walked the defense down to the tune of 116 yards and two scores on 16 carries. He’s earned the Jaguars’ RB1 role, and there’s no doubt we’ll see him on the Players of the Week at least one more time this season.
Honorable mentions: Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska; Jay Haynes, RB, Clemson; Kadin Semonza, QB, Ball State; Makenzie McGill, RB, North Texas; Micah Welch, RB, Colorado.
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