The Maxwell Football Club’s Week 4 college football update highlighted a series of standout performances across the country, with award candidates delivering major contributions in conference games and high-profile matchups during the week ending Sept. 26.
Running backs Jadan Baugh, Lee Beebe Jr., Jeffrey Overton and Wayshawn Parker were among the offensive players recognized, while quarterbacks Drew Mestemaker, Dylan Raiola and Keelon Russell also strengthened their early-season résumés. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith rounded out the group of Maxwell Award standouts.
Baugh, Beebe and Parker Deliver Big Performances
Florida running back Jadan Baugh helped power the Gators to a 52-28 victory over No. 4 Ole Miss. Baugh carried the ball 29 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns as Florida generated 302 rushing yards.
Indiana’s Lee Beebe Jr. stepped into a larger role after starting running back Turbo Richard exited in the first half against Northwestern. Beebe responded with a career-high 203 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping the Hoosiers remain unbeaten with a 29-23 victory.
Virginia Tech running back Jeffrey Overton also surpassed 200 yards, turning 25 carries into 209 yards. His biggest play came late in the fourth quarter when he broke a tie with a 76-yard touchdown run, helping the Hokies secure their first 4-0 start since 2017.
Utah’s Wayshawn Parker delivered as both a runner and receiver during a 31-17 road victory over Iowa State. Parker rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries while adding five receptions for 65 yards and another score.
Quarterbacks Make Their Mark in Week 4
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker helped the Cowboys overcome early deficits in a 41-24 Big 12 victory over West Virginia. Mestemaker completed 20 of 27 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns as Oklahoma State scored 28 of the game’s final 31 points.
At Oregon, Dylan Raiola came off the bench after starter Dante Moore was knocked out of the game against USC. Raiola completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns in less than three quarters of action, helping Oregon secure a 41-27 victory.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell continued his strong start in a 49-18 victory over South Carolina. Russell threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns on 21-of-27 passing while adding 35 rushing yards and another score. He has accounted for nine touchdowns over the past two games.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith produced one of the week’s biggest receiving performances. Smith recorded a career-high 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns against Illinois, becoming only the second Buckeye to record at least 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns in a game.
Defensive Standouts Strengthen Bednarik Award Cases
The Maxwell Football Club also highlighted leading performers on the Chuck Bednarik Award list, which recognizes the nation’s top defensive player.
Bowling Green defensive end Myles Bradley recorded 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and eight total pressures against South Florida, according to Pro Football Focus.
UAB edge defender Marlin Dean contributed 12 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, along with three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in a 24-20 victory over Navy.
Texas edge defender Colin Simmons delivered another notable performance against Tennessee. Simmons finished with eight tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble, tying Texas’ single-game record for sacks set 36 years earlier.
Other defensive players highlighted included Baylor linebacker Travion Barnes, Georgia linebacker Chris Cole, Wake Forest defensive end Gabe Kirschke, Wisconsin linebacker Mason Posa and Texas Tech linebacker Austin Romaine.
Guyton Earns Freshman Recognition
Texas Tech edge defender LaDamion Guyton was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Player of the Week.
The 17-year-old reclassified to begin his college career early and recorded the first two sacks of his Texas Tech career during the Red Raiders’ 49-14 victory over Sam Houston State.
Week 5 Schedule Features Four Major Matchups
The Maxwell Football Club identified four games as must-see Week 5 contests.
Alabama travels to Mississippi State for a matchup of 4-0 teams at noon ET Saturday, while Ohio State visits unbeaten Iowa at 3:30 p.m. ET. Florida, also 4-0, travels to Missouri for another 3:30 p.m. ET matchup.
Miami and Clemson close the featured schedule at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the Hurricanes entering the contest unbeaten and Clemson looking to build on a three-game winning streak.
