DALLAS (FWAA) – This is the the Week 6 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
Eli Holstein, QB, Pitt (6-4, 225, Zachary, La.): 25/42, 381 yards, 3 TD; 1 INT; 10 rushes, 76 yards, 1 TD
Holstein led Pitt’s offense to another strong ACC win this weekend, this time a 34-24 victory at North Carolina. The redshirt freshman threw a touchdown in each of the first three quarters and ran one in himself to take the lead for good in the fourth. Holstein has arguably asserted himself as the top freshman quarterback through Week 6, as he leads all FBS freshmen in passing yards (1,567) and passing touchdowns (15). The Alabama transfer aims to lead the Panthers to their first 6-0 start since 1982 when Cal visits this week.
Trech Kekahuna, WR, Wisconsin (5-10, 187, Honolulu, Hawaii): 6 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD
Kekahuna’s breakout game helped Wisconsin get back in the win column in dominant fashion, a 52-6 win over Purdue. The redshirt freshman had already doubled his season total of receptions before an explosive, two-touchdown third quarter. Kekahuna helped the Badger attack pull away with blazing speed, burning the Boilermaker secondary on touchdown catches of 25 and 69 yards. A refreshed Wisconsin pass game will fight for another strong outing at Rutgers this Saturday.
Koi Perich, DB, Minnesota (6-1, 200, Esko, Minn.): 6 tackles, 1 interception
Perich’s most memorable moment from Minnesota’s 24-17 upset of USC was certainly his acrobatic game-sealing interception, but he made several impressive plays in the most playing time he has seen this season. The true freshman dealt several booming hits among his six tackles and forced a fumble late in the second quarter. That led up to Perich’s eye-popping interception, where the safety jumped over a 6-6 Trojan receiver to end the game in the end zone. Perich looks to impress again this weekend when the Golden Gophers travel to UCLA.
Josiah Trotter, LB, West Virginia (6-2, 238, Philadelphia, Pa.): 6 tackles, 1 interception
Trotter led West Virginia in tackles for the third time this season as the Mountaineers topped Oklahoma State, 38-14. The redshirt freshman helped West Virginia limit the Cowboys to just 36 yards rushing on 21 attempts.Trotter, son of Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Jeremiah Trotter Sr. and brother to current Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., has the second-most tackles among all FBS freshman (34). West Virginia’s defense will try to win its third straight this Saturday when 11th-ranked Iowa State comes to town.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Fran Brown, Syracuse: Brown’s Orange showed some extra determination to secure his first ranked win, scoring a walk-off touchdown in overtime to beat UNLV, 44-41. Running back LeQuint Allen powered through a leg injury to score two touchdowns in the win, including the final punch from a yard out. Quarterback Kyle McCord completed 40 passes for 355 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Syracuse aims to move to 5-1 with a win at NC State this weekend.
Mike Elko, Texas A&M: Elko’s Aggies scored early and often in a wildly one-sided 41-10 upset of Missouri. Starting quarterback Connor Weigman was excellent in his return from injury, leading Elko’s offense with 276 yards on 18 completions while the Aggies rushed for 236 yards and five touchdowns. Texas A&M allowed just 186 yards passing on 31 attempts and 2.3 yards per carry on the ground. Sitting atop the SEC, the Aggies can move to 4-0 in the conference with a win over Mississippi State next Saturday.
Jedd Fisch, Washington: The first ranked win of Fisch’s tenure in Seattle was a signature one, as the Huskies took down No. 10-ranked Michigan, 27-17. Washington showed winning resilience at home, outscoring the Wolverines 13-0 in the fourth quarter to snag the comeback victory. Veteran quarterback Will Rogers tossed a pair of touchdowns and 271 yards on 21 completions while the Huskies ran for another 114 yards and a score. Washington’s offense will be challenged again this Saturday as it travels to face Iowa.
Bryant Vincent, ULM: Vincent’s defense stifled one of the country’s most high-powered offenses in a 21-19 win. James Madison entered last Saturday averaging 44 points and 399 yards per game and were held to 19 points on 399 yards. Quarterback Aidan Armenta led the Warhawks offensively with 17 completions for 147 yards, a touchdown and an interception. ULM will fight for a 3-0 start to conference play when it faces Southern Miss on 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.