DALLAS (FWAA) – This is the the Week 4 installment of the Football Writers Association of America's weekly Freshman Focus for the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Freshman Player of the Year and the 2024 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.
The Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award, presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, goes to the best first-year coach (at his school) in FBS football at the conclusion of the season.
The recipient of the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach, the FWAA Freshman of the Year and the Steve Spurrier Legends Coach will be honored at a special reception on Feb. 24, 2025 in Gainesville, Fla.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Gio Lopez, QB, South Alabama (6-0, 220, Madison, Ala.): 16/24, 154 yards, 2 TD; 7 rushes, 105 yards, 1 TD
Lopez followed a four-touchdown performance last week by leading South Alabama’s offense to a 48-14 upset of Appalachian State Thursday night. The redshirt freshman helped the Jaguars set the tone early, scoring four touchdowns in six first half possessions. Lopez co-leads the Sun Belt with nine passing touchdowns and is yet to throw an interception this season. The young dual-threat faces his toughest challenge yet this week when South Alabama visits No. 14 LSU on Thursday.
Durell Robinson, RB, UConn (6-1, 200, Seat Pleasant, Md.): 16 rushes, 156 yards, 2 TD
Robinson’s breakout game helped UConn’s offense explode in a 48-14 domination of Florida Atlantic. The redshirt freshman filled in for an injured starter for a second straight week and more than doubled his rushing yards on the season. Robinson now leads UConn in yards rushing (296), yards per carry (8.5) and rushing touchdowns (3). UConn’s run game faces a tougher task next weekend when Buffalo comes to East Hartford.
Boubacar Traore, DL, Notre Dame (6-4, 243, Boston. Mass.): 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF
Traore’s career-high five tackles led Notre Dame’s defense as it dominated Miami (Ohio) 28-3. The redshirt freshman helped the Fighting Irish surrender just 229 yards of total offense and force two turnovers in the win. Traore is also flexing his pass rusher prowess with three sacks in his last two games. Traore aims to keep applying pressure on a bigger stage next Saturday when No. 15 Louisville visits South Bend.
Josiah Trotter, LB, West Virginia (6-2, 238, Philadelphia, Pa.): 11 tackles
Trotter’s dominant start to 2024 continued on Saturday as the West Virginia defense did just enough for a 32-28 conference win over Kansas. Trotter’s 11 tackles led the Mountaineers for the second time this season. The young linebacker also leads West Virginia in solo tackles (14) and is second in total tackles on the year (28). Trotter and the Mountaineers will be tested this weekend when they face No. 20 Oklahoma State’s high-powered offense in Stillwater.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Bob Chesney, James Madison: Chesney’s Dukes erupted in a massive offensive upset of North Carolina on Saturday, winning by a 70-50 count. James Madison totaled 611 yards of offense with quarterback Alonza Barrett III adding seven total touchdowns. The Dukes’ defense and special teams units added a score each in the win, as well. Chesney aims to improve to 4-0 against Ball State at home this Saturday.
Pete Lembo, Buffalo: Buffalo’s second ranked win since joining FBS in 1999 was a 23-20 victory over No. 23 Northern Illinois last Saturday. The Bulls sealed the win with a field goal in overtime, a testament to a defense that shut down the Huskies in the second half. Lembo’s team overcame a 14-3 halftime deficit with 10 fourth quarter points to force overtime. Buffalo, sitting atop the Mac, aims to move to 4-1 with a win at UConn Saturday.
Sherrone Moore, Michigan: Moore notched his first conference win of the season in a 27-24 upset of No. 11 USC. Moore’s game-winning decision-making began earlier in the week when he decided to start the uber-athletic Alex Orji at quarterback to boost Michigan’s run game. Orji and the Wolverines did not disappoint, rushing for 290 yards and three touchdowns, just enough to earn a massive Big 10 win in the Big House. Michigan looks to roll that momentum into another physical win over Minnesota this weekend.
Bill O’Brien, Boston College: O’Brien’s Eagles bounced back from a near top 10 upset last week with a 23-19 win over Michigan State. Boston College was actually outgained 368-292 but won the turnover battle 4-1, setting up some crucial second half scores. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos delivered again in limited opportunity, completing 10 of his 16 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles can improve to 4-1 against Western Kentucky at home this Saturday.
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.