DALLAS (FWAA) – Each week during the 2026 season, we highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage.
For the sixth straight year, the top first-year coach in the FBS will be honored at a special receptionon on Monday, Feb. 22, 2027 at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, Fla. The Spurrier Legends Awardee Coach and Freshman Players of the Year will also be honored.
Here are the top performances from Week 2, the weekend of Sept. 12:
DALLAS (FWAA) – Each week during the 2026 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage.
For the sixth straight year, the top first-year coach in the FBS will be honored at a special reception at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, Fla. The Spurrier Legends Awardee Coach and Freshman Players of the Year will also be honored.
Here are the top performances from Week 2, the weekend of Sept. 12:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
USC TE Mark Bowman (6-5, 245, Castle Rock, Colo.): 6 receptions, 83 yards, 2 TD
Bowman’s breakout game wasn’t just impressive as he scored his first two career touchdowns and nearly doubled his catch total from USC’s first two games. The tight end led the Trojans in receiving as they comfortably improved to 3-0 with a 49-30 win over Louisiana. Bowman’s most memorable play wasn’t on either of his touchdowns — it was a 35-yard catch where the former 5-star talent hurdled two defenders in one jump. USC will open conference play at Rutgers this Saturday.
Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon (6-4, 225, Greensboro, N.C.): 10/21, 148 yards, 2 TD; 5 rushes, 22 yards
Brandon didn’t deliver a statistical masterpiece like he did against Furman last week, but he did lead Tennessee to a momentous 45-24 win at Georgia Tech. Brandon helped the Volunteers take control in the first with both of his touchdown passes. He also converted a key fourth down with his legs and made several impressive throws in the face of pressure. Tennessee will host Kennesaw State on Saturday before top-ranked Texas comes to Knoxville on Sept. 26.
Oregon State WR Jesse Legree (5-10, 172, Baltimore, Md.): 8 receptions, 240 yards, 2 TD
Legree somehow improved from his eye-popping performance in his college football debut last week. The speedy receiver struck on touchdown receptions of 37 and 75 yards in a 35-24 loss to Texas Tech. Legree was Oregon State’s first 200-yard receiver since 2018 and the first to do it at home since 2003. Legree will face a less-talented defense next week, too, as the Beavers host Montana.
USC WR Trent Mosley (5-10, 180, Chicago Ill.): 2 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD; 1 rush, 8 yards; 1 punt return, 86 yards, 1 TD
Mosley provided the perfect scoring boost in the middle of USC’s 49-30 win over Louisiana. The freshman ran through four tackles on his 86-yard punt return before halftime and scored a 21-yard rushing touchdown to open the second half. Mosley’s highlight plays turned the Trojans’ 21-10 lead into a three-possession game in less than eight minutes of action. Mosley will try to extend his touchdown streak to four games on Saturday at Rutgers.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Neal Brown, North Texas: Brown’s Mean Green entered Saturday as 3.5-point underdogs and left with a 44-6 win over UNLV. North Texas outgained the Rebels 444-301 and found a way to win despite losing the turnover battle 4-0. Senior running back Jaheim White led North Texas with 158 total yards and two total touchdowns. The Mean Green will try to improve to 2-1 with a win at Texas State this Saturday.
Tosh Lupoi, California: Lupoi’s defensive mind led California to a 21-18 win at slight favorite Syracuse. Linebacker Kingston Lopa had three interceptions, the second of which was a go-ahead pick-six with less than five minutes remaining. Third-year starting quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele completed 21 passes for 182 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Golden Bears will host Wagner on Saturday before taking on Clemson on Sept. 25.
Eric Morris, Oklahoma State: Morris’ Cowboys pulled off one of the top upsets of the season, shocking Oregon 39-31. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker led Oklahoma State’s offense with 426 total yards and three total touchdowns while running back Caleb Hawkins delivered 110 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own. Mestemaker and Hawkins, both FWAA Freshman All-American selections in 2025, transferred from North Texas after Morris left for Oklahoma State. Morris aims to move to 2-1 with a win over Murray State on Saturday.
Kyle Whittingham, Michigan: Whittingham’s Wolverines recovered from a rocky 16-13 win over Western Michigan last week. Michigan upset No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10 in a defensive battle. The Wolverines took the lead for good in the fourth quarter after Jyaire Hill returned an interception to Oklahoma’s 6-yard line, setting up a go-ahead rushing touchdown from Jordan Marshall. Michigan will host UTEP on Saturday before Iowa visits Ann Arbor to open conference play on Sept. 26.