The Maxwell Football Club has released its Week 1 college football update, highlighting standout performances from candidates for the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Award while recognizing Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon as the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Player of the Week.
The update, covering performances through Sept. 7, features notable players from programs across the country and previews several high-profile Week 2 matchups with potential implications for the national college football landscape.
Maxwell Award Candidates Deliver Major Week 1 Performances
Ole Miss wide receiver Deuce Alexander produced one of the weekend’s biggest performances as the Rebels survived Louisville 41-38 in Nashville. Alexander accumulated 165 all-purpose yards, highlighted by two 62-yard touchdown receptions that demonstrated his ability to stretch opposing defenses.
Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel also opened the season with a record-setting performance. He completed 31 of 41 passes for 453 yards and seven touchdowns to seven different receivers as the Panthers defeated Miami (OH) 59-14. His seven touchdown passes tied the school record and represented the most in a single game in ACC history.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt contributed through the air and on the ground in a 51-10 victory over Clemson. Leavitt completed 16 of 28 passes for 230 yards, one touchdown and one interception while adding a game-high 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns on 28-of-37 passing in a 34-27 victory over Boise State. His decisive moment came in the fourth quarter when he connected with Dakorien Moore for a 62-yard game-winning touchdown.
Duke running back Nate Sheppard recorded 227 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries in a 17-3 victory over Tulane. According to PFF, Sheppard forced 14 missed tackles, while his rushing total ranked fifth in Duke single-game history.
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor accounted for 413 yards and five touchdowns as the Bulldogs generated a school-record 762 yards of offense in a 62-13 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney caught 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-6 win at Stanford, breaking a school single-game receiving record that had stood for 42 years. UMass quarterback Pop Watson also made the list after leading the Minutemen to a 37-21 upset of Rutgers, completing 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns.
Bednarik Award Watch Features Defensive Standouts
Houston safety Jordan Allen helped contain Oregon State in a 33-20 victory, recording four stops and getting his hands on four passes. Penn State linebacker Caleb Bacon contributed six stops, three tackles for loss and a sack as the Nittany Lions shut out Marshall 45-0.
Tennessee nose guard Xavier Gilliam delivered one of Week 1’s most disruptive defensive performances. He finished with six tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble in a 56-9 win over Furman. His three sacks were the most by a Tennessee player in eight years.
UNLV cornerback Denver Harris helped keep Hawaii out of the end zone in a 21-6 victory, while Colorado defensive end Lamont Lester recorded five tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in a 14-13 road win over Georgia Tech.
Auburn linebacker Elijah Melendez registered a team-high 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups in a 17-16 victory over Baylor. UCLA linebacker Sammy Omosigho recorded a career-high 14 tackles, including two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble during a 45-24 win over California.
Tulsa linebacker Chris Thompson completed the defensive group after returning from a broken leg that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. The senior captain recorded a team-high 10 tackles and recovered a fumble as Tulsa defeated Oklahoma State 24-10.
Faizon Brandon Earns Freshman Recognition
Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Player of the Week following an impressive first FBS start.
Brandon completed 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards and rushed for another 68 yards in Tennessee’s victory over Furman. He accounted for five touchdowns, tying a Tennessee freshman record.
The performance also made Brandon the first SEC player since Cam Newton in 2010 to record three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in his first FBS start.
Major Week 2 Matchups Move Into Focus
Week 2 features several prominent games, beginning with Arizona State visiting Texas A&M. Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley enters after throwing six touchdowns and 387 yards in a 70-7 opening victory, while Texas A&M allowed only 67 total yards in its 50-0 win over Missouri State.
Oklahoma travels to Michigan after opening with a 51-0 shutout of UTEP. Michigan, meanwhile, will look for a stronger offensive showing after narrowly defeating Western Michigan 13-12.
Arizona and BYU meet in an early Big 12 matchup featuring quarterbacks Noah Fifita and Bear Bachmeier, both members of the Maxwell Award preseason watch list.
The weekend’s marquee matchup sends Ohio State to Texas. The Longhorns will look to reverse recent losses to the Buckeyes, while Ohio State brings a roster featuring wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin, the reigning Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year winner.
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