DALLAS (FWAA) – This is the the Week 7 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
Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville (5-9, 190, Homestead, Fla.): 20 rushes, 146 yards, 2 TD, 1 reception, 1 yard
Brown set the tone for Louisville's offense, scoring its first two touchdowns in an eventual 24-20 win over Virginia. The stocky true freshman powered through several defenders but also flashed getaway speed beating the Cavaliers to the edge. Brown’s 508 yards rushing leads all FBS freshmen through six games. He will look to expand his lead over the field against a tough Miami front this Saturday.
Ryan Browne, QB, Purdue (6-4, 210, Clarkston, Mich.): 18/26, 297 yards, 3 TD, 17 rushes, 118 yards
Browne came one play shy of a ranked win in his first start of the season but still led an explosive Purdue offense in a 50-49 overtime loss to Illinois. The redshirt freshman shredded the Fighting Illini defense through the air and on the ground, totaling 415 yards of offense. The same Boilermaker offense that averaged 11 points through its last four weeks erupted under Browne’s control. Purdue will fight for its first conference win against a red-hot Oregon team on Friday night.
Ahmad Hardy, RB, ULM (5-10, 205, Monticello, Miss.): 15 rushes, 121 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 53 yards
Hardy’s season-high totals in yards and touchdowns helped ULM dominate Southern Miss 38-21 on Saturday. The true freshman bounced off tacklers all afternoon and blazed past the second and third levels of the Golden Eagle defense with touchdown runs of 34 and 31 yards. Hardy’s 500 yards rushing are the second-most among FBS freshmen, trailing only Louisville’s Isaac Brown. The Warhawks, led by first-year coach Bryant Vincent, have the week off to prepare for South Alabama on October 26.
Koi Perich, S, Minnesota (6-1, 200, Esko, Minn.): 2 INT, 2 tackles
Perich upstaged his acrobatic game-sealing interception against USC last week with another game-sealing, two-pick performance as Minnesota topped UCLA, 21-17. The true freshman’s interceptions were both crucial to victory, the first setting up a key Minnesota touchdown and the second ending the game. Perich’s role has also expanded to special teams, as the shifty safety is returning punts for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota has the week off before facing Maryland on October 26.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Jeff Choate, Nevada: Choate’s Wolfpack ran wild in a 42-37 upset of Oregon State on Saturday. Quarterback Brendon Lewis and running back Savion Red combined for 288 yards rushing and five touchdowns in the win. Nevada also intercepted Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy four times in the win. Choate will look to move to 4-4 this Friday when Fresno State visits.
Bob Chesney, James Madison: Chesney’s Dukes bounced back from an upset loss with a 39-7 domination of Coastal Carolina. James Madison outscored the Chanticleers 21-0 in the second quarter to take the momentum for good. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III led the offense with 16 completions for 199 yards and three touchdowns. The Dukes can move into first place in the Sun Belt East division with a win at Georgia Southern on Saturday.
Spencer Danielson, Boise State: Danielson’s hot start leading the Broncos continued with a physical 28-7 win over Hawaii last Saturday. Running back Ashton Jeanty furthered his Heisman campaign, leading Boise State’s offense with 217 yards and a touchdown on the ground, plus another 20 receiving yards with a touchdown catch. Chesney’s defense kept Hawaii’s attack one-dimensional, limiting the Rainbow Warriors to 23 yards rushing on 23 attempts. Boise State has a bye week to prepare for its Top 2 Mountain West matchup at UNLV on October 25.
Pete Lembo, Buffalo: Lembo’s Bulls took a share of first place in the MAC after upsetting Toledo 30-15 on Saturday. Quarterback C.J. Ogbonna led the offense in dual-threat style, tossing for 127 yards and a touchdown and adding another couple of scores and 26 yards on the ground. Buffalo’s defense also got off the field well, as Toledo only converted four of its 17 third downs and two of its five fourth downs. Lembo and the Bulls will face fellow first-place MAC team Western Michigan 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.