THIRD-STRINGER RYAN STAUB’S PERFORMANCE CREATES QB DILEMMA FOR DEION SANDERS AND COLORADO
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — To Deion Sanders, the plan last weekend seemed only fair: Give all three of his quarterbacks two series each to see what they could do. That way, the situation could “tell us its own story,” he explained.
That story now contains an intriguing plot development.
The Colorado coach has a dilemma at QB going into the Big 12 Conference opener Friday in Houston. It’s the sort of predicament he’s sidestepped because he’s had his son, Shedeur.
The under-center candidates include transfer and current starter Kaidon Salter, along with freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis. Added to the mix after Saturday’s stellar performance is the longtime understudy, Ryan Staub, who served as the backup to Shedeur Sanders the past two seasons.
“I know exactly how I’m going to handle the quarterback situation,” Deion Sanders said after a 31-7 win over Delaware that set the QB situation in full motion. “I’m not going to say it.”
The competition
Salter left Liberty to step in at Colorado. The dual-option threat beat out Lewis and Staub in fall camp for the starting job. He had Colorado (1-1) off to a 10-0 lead in his two series of work against the Blue Hens before giving way to Lewis, the 17-year-old highly touted recruit and future of the program.
Lewis didn’t produce any points in his first two cracks at leading the team.
Next up was Staub, the third-stringer whose performance threw a curve into the quarterback plans. He tossed two TD passes — one in the closing seconds before halftime and another on a quick strike soon after the break. He stayed in the game for two more series, too.
With that, the competition appears open again.
“My decisions are not just based on what I see in the game,” explained Sanders, who enacted his two-series-each plan after the season-opening loss to Georgia Tech. “My decisions are based on a lot about what I see in practice and what I know to be true and what should happen based on preparation in practice.”
The understudy
Staub knows the offense about as well as anyone after spending the past two seasons in the shadow of Shedeur Sanders. Staub even paid homage Saturday to Sanders, now in Cleveland, by raising his wrist and doing the “Shedeur” pose after a 71-yard TD throw.
“I got to see everything that he did and the way he does things, day in and day out, the way he sees stuff in the film room,” said Staub, a redshirt sophomore from California. “Just the past couple years sitting behind him has really helped me.”
Staub finished 7 of 10 for 157 yards and two touchdown passes.
“It’s crazy to be rewarded this way,” Staub said. “It’s been a long couple of years of just working and waiting and working.”
Staub has one start on his resume — in 2023, with Sanders sidelined by an injury. Staub threw for 195 yards and his first career touchdown to Travis Hunter in a 23-17 loss at Utah.
Last season, Staub was limited to 20 snaps over four appearances in his backup role.
This season, he slipped to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Salter and Lewis. But he may have just risen up the ranks.
There was a moment on the sideline Saturday where Deion Sanders placed both hands on Staub’s helmet, stared through his facemask and appeared to tell him, “I believe in you, man.”
Staub had no idea he’d play until the day before the Delaware game. Soon after finding out, he visited with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to make some play-calling requests.
“He told me, ‘I like this, this, this, this and this, and call this here,’” Shurmur recounted. “It didn’t surprise me, not one bit, that the guys in there playing were rooting for him, because he has that spirit.”
Transfer portal
Staub could’ve left via the transfer portal. Deion Sanders would’ve gladly made calls to programs on his behalf, too.
That option didn’t appeal to him. He wanted to succeed at Colorado.
“Worked his butt off and understands who we are, what we are, what we want from that position,” Sanders said. “He balled out so much, the whole student section was chanting his name.”
It reminded Sanders of “Rudy,” the 1993 movie about a college football player who overcame the odds to achieve his dream of suiting up for Notre Dame. Unlike Rudy Ruettiger, who famously played in only one game for the Fighting Irish, Staub could have a starring role with the Buffaloes.
“I was the guy who cried when I saw the movie,” Sanders said. “Those type of guys who didn’t really get opportunities or what they should, those have always been my guys.
“That means a lot to me, to see (Staub) stick around and get an opportunity when he could have easily dipped. … He’s one of those kids, man, and I’m proud.”
TEXAS’ SARKISIAN DISMISSES QUESTION ABOUT QB ARCH MANNING POSSIBLY HAVING THROWING ISSUES
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian rebuffed a question about Arch Manning’s physical well-being after videos posted on social media on the weekend sparked speculation the quarterback might have throwing issues.
On the television broadcast during the No. 7 Longhorns’ 38-7 win over San Jose State on Saturday, Manning appeared to grimace as he threw a ball short to receiver Ryan Wingo.
During Sarkisian’s weekly news conference on Monday, a reporter said that Manning “seemed to be having some throwing pains,” and Sarkisian cut him off.
“According to who? Arch said that to you?” Sarkisian responded.
The reporter then asked if there is an explanation for why Manning “looked like that?”
“I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom, so I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that,” Sarkisian said and then moved on to the next question.
Manning was asked at a postgame news conference if he had any pain.
“No, no I gotta make that throw,” Manning said. “He was open. Ran a good dig route, so gotta make that throw.”
Sarkisian also was asked after the game if Manning was dealing with any injuries.
“I don’t know,” Sarkisian responded. “News to me.”
Manning completed 19-of-30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns while also scrambling 20-yards for another score.
He was badly off target a few times during a 14-7 loss at Ohio State in the season opener on Aug. 30, prompting a question about Manning’s mechanics at Sarkisian’s news conference the following Monday.
“There was a couple times where we had some crossing routes where I didn’t feel like he brought his feet to where he wanted to throw the ball, which, in turn, forced kind of a little bit more of a side arm delivery, which isn’t his style of throwing,” Sarkisian said. “I think if he can get his feet aligned and get his shoulders aligned, that can help with some of his accuracy.”
MISSISSIPPI STATE FINED $500,000 BY SEC FOR FIELD STORMING FOLLOWING AGAINST ARIZONA STATE
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Mississippi State University has been fined $500,000 by the Southeastern Conference for its fans rushing the field following a home win over then-No. 12 Arizona State.
The Bulldogs knocked off the Sun Devils 24-20 on Saturday and their students rushed the field after, carrying the goalposts with them out of Davis Wade Stadium as they left. The win was Mississippi State’s first over a top-15 nonconference opponent since 1991.
The SEC altered its policy on field and court storming over the summer, imposing a $500,000 fine each instance instead of escalating penalties.
The conference has discretion to wave the penalty if officials and the opposing team are able to get off the field before fans enter the field, but fans were already on the field before Arizona State’s players and coaches could leave.
MICHIGAN STATE, OHIO STATE, PURDUE AND WASHINGTON EARN WEEKLY FOOTBALL HONORS
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Following Week 2 contests, the Big Ten Conference Football Players of the Week Presented by IFS.ai were announced Monday. Below are this week’s honorees:
Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
QB – Jr. – Long Beach, Calif. – Downey
- Recorded a career-high four touchdowns Saturday as the Spartans beat Boston College in double overtime
- Had 270 total yards (231 passing, 39 rushing) and accounted for five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing)
- Threw the game-winning 2-point conversion pass to Omari Kelly in double overtime on the last play of the game
- Last Michigan State Offensive Player of the Week: Maliq Carr (Nov. 20, 2023)
Jonah Coleman, Washington
RB – Sr. – Stockton, Calif. – Lincoln
- Tied the modern Washington record with five rushing touchdowns in the Huskies’ 70-10 win over UC Davis, tying the mark set by Hall of Famer Hugh McElhenny in 1950 (vs. Washington State) and tied by Corey Dillon vs. UCLA, in 1996.
- Scored on five of his 15 carries and rushed for 111 yards
- Also had a 24-yard reception
- The second Washington Offensive Player of the Week in as many weeks
Defensive Player of the Week
Jordan Hall, Michigan State
LB – Jr. – Fredericksburg, Va. – IMG Academy
- Registered a career-high 15 tackles in the win over Boston College
- His nine solo stops Saturday night marked a career best
- Added one forced fumble, forcing a fumble that teammate redshirt senior defensive back Armorion Smith recovered in the end zone in the first quarter
- Last Michigan State Defensive Player of the Week honoree: Cal Haladay (Nov. 14, 2022)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Spencer Porath, Purdue
K – So. – Brownsburg, Ind. – Brownsburg
- Recorded the fourth multi-field goal game of his career, matching his career high by going 2-for-2 on field goal attempts
- Connected on field goals from 25 yards and 43 yards, the latter the second-longest of his career
- Made all four PATs to help the Boilermakers defeat SIU, 34-17
- Last Purdue Special Teams Players of the Week: J.D. Dellinger (Nov. 11, 2019)
Freshman of the Week
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
QB – Carlsbad, Calif. – Carlsbad
- Completed a school record 16 consecutive passes to open the game and finished with 18 completions in 19 attempts for 306 yards with four touchdown passes and one interception in No. 1 Ohio State’s 70-0 victory over Grambling State
- Connected with Jeremiah Smith on two touchdown passes, including the second-longest completion, and third longest play from scrimmage, in school history: an 87-yard catch and run midway through the first quarter
- His 94.7 completion percentage for the game is third-highest in school history and 16 consecutive completions in the game is second-most at Ohio State
- Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Jeremiah Smith (Nov. 11, 2024)
MAC ANNOUNCES WEEK 2 FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
MAC Football Offensive Player of the Week
Chip Trayanum, Toledo, RB
Sr., Akron, OH (Archbishop Hoban)
Chip Trayanum rushed for a career-high 163 yards on 14 carries in Toledo’s 45-21 victory over Western Kentucky. Trayanum scored his first two rushing touchdowns as a Rocket, a one-yarder in the first quarter and a 75-yard sprint in the third quarter. The two rushing TDs tied his career high, which he accomplished twice at Arizona State in 2020, and the three total touchdowns marked a career high. Trayanum added a TD reception in the first quarter, the first of his career. His 75-yard TD run was Toledo’s longest run from scrimmage since Jacquez Stuart went 80 yards for a score vs. Wyoming at the 2023 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl on Dec. 30, 2023.
MAC Football Defensive Player of the Week
Michael Molnar, Ohio, LB
R-Jr., Mason, Ohio (Mason)
With redshirt junior linebacker Michael Molnar at the helm, Ohio’s defense held West Virginia to 2-of-13 successful third down conversions and forced the Mountaineers to punt eight times in the Bobcats’ 17-10 victory over their Big 12 opponent. Individually, Molnar was among three Bobcats to log a team-best seven total tackles. He led the team with 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while also recording two solo stops and one quarterback hurry.
MAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Palmer Domschke, Western Michigan, K
R-Jr., Bollingbrook, Ill. (Neaqua Valley)
Domschke was instrumental in helping the Broncos take North Texas to overtime. He tied his career high with three field goals and also had three extra points, for 12 of WMU’s 30 points on the day. All three of his field goals came from at least 40 yards out, hitting from 40, 43 and 48. His first FG, a 40-yarder, of the day gave the Broncos a 17-7 lead late in the second quarter. He then nailed a 43-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to put the Broncos up 27-17. His final field goal came in WMU’s possession in overtime, connecting from 48 to give the Broncos a 30-27 lead.
BIG 12 FOOTBALL WEEK TWO HONOREES ANNOUNCED
Offensive Players of the Week:
Jaden Nixon, RB, UCF and Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor
Defensive Players of the Week:
Skyler Gill-Howard, DL, Texas Tech and Tamatoa McDonough, DL, Iowa State
Special Teams Players of the Week:
Connor Hawkins, K, Baylor and Kyle Konrardy, K, Iowa State
Freshman of the Week: Connor Hawkins, K, Baylor
Offensive Line of the Week: Cincinnati
Defensive Line of the Week: Iowa State
IRVING, Texas – Baylor, UCF, Cincinnati, Iowa State and Texas Tech received Big 12 Football weekly awards following notable wins over non-conference opponents in week two. UCF running back Jaden Nixon and Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson (offensive) were honored alongside Texas Tech’s Skyler Gill-Howard and Iowa State’s Tamatoa McDonough (defensive). Baylor kicker Connor Hawkins (freshman and special teams) shared accolades with Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy (special teams). Cincinnati had the Offensive Line of the Week, and Iowa State rounded out the awards with the Defensive Line of the Week.
Robertson led all FBS quarterbacks in week two with 440 passing yards in addition to four touchdown throws in Baylor’s double-overtime win over then-No. 17 SMU. The Bears’ signal caller authored drives of 72 yards and 82 yards in the fourth quarter of the comeback win. Robertson also became the first Big 12 quarterback to throw for 400 or more yards in the first two games of a season since Patrick Mahomes in 2016.
With 156 rushing yards on just four carries with two touchdowns against North Carolina A&T, Nixon made UCF history throughout Saturday’s game. His 87-yard touchdown run was the third longest play from scrimmage in program history after returning the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Nixon also became just the fourth player in UCF’s FBS history to return a kickoff for a touchdown and tally an offensive touchdown in the same game.
Iowa State’s 16-13 victory over rival Iowa saw McDonough record back-to-back sacks on the final drive to end the game. The senior finished the game with five total tackles, a pair of sacks and a quarterback hurry as part of Iowa State’s defensive line that was also honored this week. The defense stymied Iowa to pick up ISU’s first home win in the rivalry series since 2011.
Gill-Howard tallied a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown from his defensive line position in Texas Tech’s 62-14 blowout of Kent State. He became the first Red Raider defensive lineman to return an interception for a touchdown since Adell Duckett went five yards into the end zone against SMU to start the 2003 season. Gill-Howard also added four tackles, including one for a loss, in the win.
Hawkins was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week after helping propel Baylor to a 48-45 win at then-No. 17 SMU in double overtime. The redshirt freshman made both of his field goal attempts, including the game-winning kick from 27 yards out in just his third career game. Hawkins was also a perfect four-for-four on extra points to finish his day with 12 points.
Winning Special Teams Player of the Week for a second consecutive week, Konrardy made the game-winning field goal from 54 yards in his team’s 16-13 win in the Cy-Hawk rivalry game. He made all four of his kicks that included makes from 27, 44 and 54 yards. Saturday’s win was his third career game of three or more field goals, as he took home Big 12 weekly honors for the third time in his career.
Cincinnati was voted the Offensive Line of the Week as the Bearcats tallied 439 yards of offense in their win over Bowling Green. The unit did not allow a quarterback sack for a second straight week as Brendan Sorsby threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday.
Iowa State boasts its second Defensive Line of the Week award of 2025 after its 16-13 rivalry win over Iowa. The Cyclones held Iowa’s offense to 214 yards of total offense, including just 83 yards through the air, while defensive tackle Domonique Orange finished with a career-high six tackles, going up against Iowa’s center Logan Jones, who was an honorable mention All-American and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection last season.
SEC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: SEPT. 8
OFFENSIVE
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
- Completed 21 of 34 passes (62%) for 270 yards and one touchdown and registered team highs of 19 rushes, 74 yards and two touchdowns (2 and 10 yards) to lead No. 18/24 Oklahoma to a 24-13 win over No. 15/13 Michigan.
- He led OU on a 12-play, 75-yard drive to open the game, which resulted in a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Burks.
- His first rushing TD came with 22 seconds left in the first half and made the score 14-0, and his second extended OU’s lead to 21-7 with 10:12 remaining in the third quarter.
- In the fourth quarter while protecting an eight-point lead, he led the Sooners on a 16-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 8:27 and resulted in a field goal and 24-13 lead with 1:44 remaining.
- Through two games this season, Mateer has completed 72% of his passes (51 of 71 for 662 yards and four touchdowns).
- His 662 passing yards are the second most by an OU quarterback through the first two games of a career (Josh Heupel had 773 in the first two games of the 1999 season).
DEFENSIVE
Nick Rinaldi, LB, Vanderbilt
- Led Vandy with six total tackles in earning a road victory over Virginia Tech
- That total included a career-best 2½ stops behind the line highlighted by one of the team’s three sacks
- Was also credited with a quarterback hurry on third down from the VU-11 that forced the Hokies to settle for a field goal on their opening drive
- Part of a Commodore defense that surrendered no points and just 21 yards in the second half to overcome a 10-point deficit at the break
Nic Mitchell, LB, Mississippi State
- Mitchell led the team with nine tackles in the win versus No. 10 Arizona State.
- His biggest stop came inside two minutes remaining, when he kept Arizona State running back Kanye Udoh out of the end zone on 3rd-and-goal from the 1-yard line to force a field goal.
- That play set up MSU’s final drive, capped by a 58-yard touchdown to take the lead with 30 seconds left.
- The MSU defense held Arizona State to 82 yards passing, two interceptions and a 43 percent completion rate.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Lucas Carneiro, PK, Ole Miss
- Accounted for 12 points and helped clinch an SEC road win at Kentucky.
- Connected on 3-of-4 field goals, including a 36-yarder with 1:10 left to give the Rebels a late 10-point lead. • Drilled a long field goal of 43 yards to improve to 9-of-10 from 40-49 yards out in his career.
- Recorded touchbacks on all seven kickoffs.
- A first-quarter, 51-yard FG attempt that hit the goalpost marked the first miss from 50 yards in his career, entering the day a perfect 6-of-6.
Vicari Swain, DB/PR, South Carolina
- Swain returned two punts for touchdowns in the Gamecocks’ 38-10 win over South Carolina State.
- Punt returns went for 65- and 42-yards on back-to-back series in the 2nd quarter, sparking the Gamecocks’ to victory.
- Carolina trailed 3-0 with just five minutes left in the half when he scored from 65 yards out to put the Gamecocks in front, then less than two minutes later, made it a 14-3 lead.
- He became the first player in school history to return two punts for touchdowns in a game.
- After just two games, he has tied the single-season school record with three punt returns for touchdowns and is tied for second on the school’s all-time career list.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Albert Reese, RT, Mississippi State
- Reese started at right tackle due to injury-related shuffling on the offensive line, after starting at left tackle the week prior.
- He logged 66 snaps and earned PFF grades of 80.4 on offense and 82.3 in pass blocking.
- He did not allow a sack or commit a penalty, providing steady protection that helped quarterback Blake Shapen throw for 279 yards and three touchdowns of 45-plus yards each.
Dominick Giudice, G, Missouri
- Giudice led the Mizzou offensive front that controlled the trenches against the Kansas Jayhawks.
- Opened holes for 261 rushing yards, led by two 100-yard rushers (Jamal Roberts – 143 yards; Ahmad Hardy – 112 yards).
- Graded out at a team-best 88 percent with zero penalties and zero missed assignments.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
- Posted a 78.9 pass rush grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Recorded three consecutive sacks during a single drive in the second quarter, which research indicates is the first FBS player to do so since Wisconsin’s Jack Cichy in the 2015 Holiday Bowl.
- Became the first Aggie to record 3.0+ sacks in a game since Edgerrin Cooper in 2023.
- The 4 tackles accounted for minus-18 total lost yardage (1.0 tackle for 3 yards, 1.0 sack for minus-6 yards, 1.0 sack for minus-7 yards & 1.0 sack for minus-8 yards).
- Led Texas A&M defense that limited Utah State to an 2-for-14 performance on 3rd down conversions.
FRESHMAN
Parker Livingstone, WR, Texas
- Livingstone caught four passes for 128 receiving yards (32.0 ypr) and two touchdowns in helping Texas to a 38-7 win over San Jose State in the Longhorns’ home opener.
- His 128 receiving yards rank 11th on the UT freshman single-game list.
- The touchdowns came within 2:40 of each other on the clock late in the first quarter, providing Texas its first two scores of the game and a 14-0 lead.
- The first was an 83-yard reception, which is the fourth-longest by a freshman in UT history and the longest since 2015 when John Burt had an 84-yarder against Kansas. It was also the longest passing play for Texas since a 90-yard completion against Oklahoma State on Oct. 21, 2017 and the 13th-longest overall in program history.
- Then with 12 seconds left in the quarter, Livingstone pulled in a three-yard touchdown.
- Third Longhorn to have multiple receiving touchdowns in the first quarter of a game in the last 30 years, joining Jaxon Shipley (Sept. 29, 2012) and Joshua Moore (Oct. 9, 2021). The 100-yard effort is the first of his career.
- Livingstone now leads the Longhorns with 175 receiving yards, 29.2 yards per reception and three touchdown receptions this season.
- The three touchdown receptions also rank second in the FBS, while the 29.2 yards per catch are fourth.
HCAC 2025 FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK, WEEK 1
Athletes of the Week:
Offensive Player of the Week:
Eli Aston (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) Mount St. Joseph University | Wide Receiver | Sophomore – MSJ wideout Eli Aston had one of the biggest receiving days in the country in the Lions win over Muskingum. He hauled in 10 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in the win, currently ranking third in the NCAA in receiving yards and tied for second in catches.
Defensive Player of the Week:
Devin Hogan (Warren, Mich.) Bluffton University | Linebacker | Senior – Hogan was a key component in Bluffton stunning 20-17 victory over Kenyon on Saturday night. He had five solo stops with four of them being tackles for loss, including two huge sacks. His TFL’s added up to 25 yards of losses with 19 of them coming on the two sacks as Bluffton pitched a shutout in the second half. The Bluffton defense allowed just 57 yards on the ground.
Special Teams Player of the Week:
Colton Yugovich (Mansfield, Ohio) Bluffton University | Kicker/Punter | First Year – Yugovich came up huge in his first collegiate game for the Beavers. He was a perfect 2-of-2 on field goals with scoring strikes from 44 yards and 35 yards in Bluffton’s 20-17 win over Kenyon. He punted four times for 143 yards (35.8 AVG) with two inside the 20 and a long of 46 yards. Yugovich also had five kickoffs for a 42.2 yard average and dropped a pooch kickoff at the Kenyon 35 that Bluffton recovered and it set up a touchdown as the Beavers scored 10 points in just over three minutes.
Notable Performances:
Offensive Players:
- Albert Rabb (El Paso, Texas) Anderson University | Running Back | Sophomore – Albert Rabb rushed for 83 yards and 1 rushing touchdown in Anderson’s 7-6 win against Alfred State. He also added 5 receiving yards.
- Niegel Payne (Detroit, Mich.) Bluffton University | Wide Receiver | Senior – Payne caught six balls for 133 yards, including a one-hander for 43 yards that put Bluffton in position to score a 20-17 come-from-behind victory over Kenyon on Saturday night.
- Owen Wright (Greenwood, Ind.) Franklin College | Wide Receiver | Junior – Wright made an instant impact on Franklin’s 27-20 victory over Ohio Northern, throwing an 84-yard touchdown pass off a reverse on the first play of the game. He followed up that big play with several others, catching five passes for 113 yards and two more scores. His first TD grab was a 5-yarder in heavy traffic on fourth and goal, and the other, covering 32 yards late in the third quarter, proved to be the game-winning points.
- Eian Roudebush (New Palestine, Ind.) Hanover College | Quarterback | Junior – Eian Roudebush turned in an impressive performance despite falling to Centre. The junior threw for 170 yards while rushing for 51 yards. He added one passing score, as well as one on the ground score, contributing to all 15 of the Panthers points. Eian helped Hanover record 289 yards of total offense.
Defensive Players:
- Kevin Thomas (Detroit, Mich.) Anderson University | Linebacker | First Year – Kevin Thomas intercepted a pass on the final drive of the game to seal Anderson’s 7-6 win against Alfred State.
- Seth Rindfuss (Lake Village, Ind.) Franklin College | Nose Tackle | Sophomore – Rindfuss played a key role in the Grizzlies’ thrilling 27-20 win over Ohio Northern. He made five tackles, including half a quarterback sack, and put constant pressure on the ONU offensive line. He was credited with two quarterback hurries, one of those a hit on ONU quarterback Sam Feldman during the game-clinching stop on fourth down with 1:26 left. That was one of four fourth-down stops by the Franklin defense.
- Brian Wall (Sellersburg, Ind.) Hanover College | Linebacker | Sophomore – Brian Wall led the defense with a game-high seven tackles. The sophomore was key to the Panther defense, collecting five solo stops and helping to hold Centre to just 73 yards on the ground.
- Mason Daring (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Manchester University | Linebacker | Junior – Mason clocked 10 total tackles, 5 of which were solo, and 5 assisted. He also had 1 tackle for loss.
- Luke Paff (Cincinnati, Ohio) Mount St. Joseph University | Linebacker | Junior – Lions junior linebacker Luke Paff started the 2025 season off right, the preseason all-american registered a team-high 12 tackles including 7 solo stops. He helped the Lions secure a hardfought 33-27 road win at Muskingum.
Special Teams Players:
- Layton Anderson (Harrison, Ohio) Anderson University | Punter | First Year – Layton Anderson posted an average of 38 yards per punt on 5 punts in Anderson’s 7-6 win against Alfred State. Anderson also delivered a 62-yard punt and pinned a punt inside the 20.
- Nick Stoner (Providence, Ind.) Hanover College | Punter | First Year – Stoner tallied two punts as the Panthers fell to Centre. The freshman made he debut, punting twice for a combined 42 yards. One of his two punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
- Angel Estrada (Bremen, Ind.) Manchester University | Punter | Junior – Estrada tallied 10 punts for a total of 364 yards. The longest had a yardage of 55 yard. He had 2 punts of 50+ yards, and 3 punts inside the 20.
- Maxwell Spencer (Commercial Point, Ohio) Mount St. Joseph University | Kicker | First Year – Mount St. Joseph freshman kicker Maxwell Spencer had a perfect Lions debut! He was 3-for-3 on PAT attempts and kicked a pair of fieldgoals, from 27 and 25 yards respectively. He also handled the Lions kickoff duties hitting 7 kickoffs for 364 yards for an average of 52.0 yards per kick.
