The Patriot League unveiled its weekly football awards for the week ending September 7, 2026, recognizing individual excellence across offense, defense and special teams. The honors, determined by a combination of league media members and school communications contacts, exclude votes from the student‑athletes themselves.
Patriot League’s Weekly Recognition
Colgate’s Matt Fogler earned Offensive Player of the Week after posting a career‑high 153 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a 35‑10 victory over Holy Cross. His first‑quarter scores of 33 and 64 yards helped the Raiders build a 28‑10 halftime lead, underscoring his big‑play capability.
Villanova’s Omari Bursey was named Defensive Player of the Week for his 14 tackles and a half‑tackle for loss in a 17‑16 win against Bucknell. Bursey, who tops the Patriot League and the NCAA Division I FCS with 14.5 tackles per game, continued his relentless pursuit of ball carriers.
William & Mary’s Max Lipinski received Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his precision on field goals, including a career‑long 51‑yard kick and a 4‑of‑5 performance from beyond 40 yards this season. His consistency has been a key factor in the Tribe’s special‑teams success.
Freshman Khylil Johnson was selected Rookie of the Week after leading William & Mary with four catches for 83 yards in a 22‑15 triumph over Delaware State. His 158 receiving yards through two games place him tied for fourth in the league.
The weekly accolades also spotlighted honorable mentions such as TJ Cadden, Sam Milligan and Luke Yoder, who each contributed notable returns and touchdowns for their respective teams.