Arizona State running back Cardae Mack earned Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Player of the Week recognition after rushing for 159 yards and scoring all four Sun Devils’ touchdowns in a 28–17 victory over Kansas State, according to the supplied Maxwell Football Club roundup.
Mack carried the ball 26 times, taking direct snaps and working through gap-scheme runs in a breakout performance for Arizona State.
The report also highlighted Arizona linebacker Dash Fifita, whose two-sack performance helped the Wildcats defeat Iowa State, alongside offensive and defensive standouts from across college football.
Mack Delivers Four-Touchdown Performance
A former high school quarterback, Mack supplied every Arizona State touchdown against visiting Kansas State.
His performance earned the weekly freshman recognition associated with the award named for former Alabama and Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander.
The Maxwell Football Club supports the award, which annually recognizes college football’s top freshman.
Arizona’s Dash Fifita Helps Wildcats Reach 6–1
Arizona linebacker Dash Fifita recorded six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in a 39–3 victory over Iowa State, according to the report.
The win moved Arizona to 6–1. The roundup cited Pro Football Focus for Fifita’s 89.5 grade, placing him among its leading freshmen for Week 8.
Fifita was included among the report’s defensive standouts connected to the Chuck Bednarik Award, which recognizes the nation’s top defensive player.
Hejny, Mensah and Messer Highlight Offensive Standouts
Colorado State quarterback Hauss Hejny returned after missing more than three games and accounted for 418 total yards and five touchdowns in a 56–49 victory over San Diego State.
The win snapped the Rams’ four-game losing streak and kept them in bowl contention, according to the roundup.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah completed 31 of 37 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover in a 52–23 win over Pittsburgh. Three touchdown passes went to Malachi Toney.
The report listed Mensah’s season completion rate above 81 percent, with 22 touchdown passes against one interception.
Florida Atlantic receiver Easton Messer contributed in three phases during a 51–49 victory over Rice. He caught 12 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, added two rushing touchdowns and returned a punt 82 yards for another score, finishing with 262 all-purpose yards.
Other offensive performances highlighted in the roundup included:
| Player | School | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Hughes, QB | Wyoming | 259 total yards and three touchdowns in a 28–14 win over Air Force |
| Keyone Jenkins, QB | UCF | 328 yards and four touchdowns accounted for in a 39–31 double-overtime win over No. 2 BYU |
| Sam Leavitt, QB | LSU | 387 passing yards, 54 rushing yards and four total touchdowns in a 38–17 win over Auburn |
| Bo MacCormack III, RB | Boston College | 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in a 49–27 win over Georgia Tech |
| Cole Tabb, RB | Cincinnati | 173 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in a 37–24 win over Texas Tech |
Defensive Leaders Produce Sacks and Turnovers
Ohio linebacker Michael Molnar recorded a career-high 18 tackles, including four tackles for loss and one sack, as the Bobcats defeated Eastern Michigan 24–20.
UCLA linebacker Sammy Omosigho contributed six tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in a 28–10 win over Michigan State. The roundup credited him with seven total pressures, citing PFF.
Wisconsin edge defender Sebastian Cheeks recorded 2.5 sacks among his five tackles against USC, with six pressures credited by PFF.
Additional defensive standouts included:
| Player | School | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Daveon Crouch, LB | Kansas | 10 tackles, nine solo, with two tackles for loss and a sack |
| Zack Harden, FS | Minnesota | 12 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry |
| Rolijah Hardy, LB | Indiana | Nine tackles, eight solo, and two sacks |
| Colton Phares, LB | Appalachian State | 13 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and a pass breakup |
Roundup Reflects Week 8 Performances
The supplied newsletter reviews Week 8 performances and includes a preview of Week 9. Its results and statistics reflect that reporting period rather than a current national statistical update.
Source: Maxwell Football Club roundup supplied to Habari Entertainment.
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