Week 9: Coleman Cauley, Navy

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photo courtesy navy athletics

Navy linebacker Coleman Cauley has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after a standout performance in his first collegiate start helped the Midshipmen continue their best start since 1978.

Cauley, a junior who saw action mainly on special teams the past two seasons, was rewarded for his play as a reserve this year and took full advantage of the opportunity. He made nine tackles, forced and recovered a fumble on what Navy Coach Brian Newberry called the game’s biggest play and intercepted a pass as the Midshipmen beat Florida Atlantic, 42-32, this past Saturday. Navy is now 7-0 for the first time in 47 years and has won 10 consecutive games, matching a school record.

“The rent is due every day around here,” Newberry said. “It comes down to production and it’s not just the way you practice but also the way you play on Saturdays. When Coleman got the opportunity, he made the most of it. … We felt that was the move. I’m really proud of him.”

Navy’s lead was 21-13 late in the third quarter when Florida Atlantic stopped the Midshipmen on fourth-and-2 and took over at its own 19-yard line. On the next play, wide receiver Dom Henry took a short pass to the left and burst down the sideline. Cauley chased him down from behind, stripped the ball and then snatched the ball as it sat on the turf.

“That’s what we call an ‘eat’ play – an effort, attitude, toughness play and he chases a guy down the sideline, looks like it’s maybe going for a touchdown and he hustles his rear end off and knocks the ball out,” Newberry said. “That’s a huge play in the game.”

It took the Midshipmen just four plays to score. On Florida Atlantic’s next possession, Cauley was sprinting in the direction of a pass when the ball caromed to him and he caught it. Again, it took the Midshipmen just four plays to get into the end zone.

“I might go to the casino later,” Cauley said jokingly with a broad smile. “I got lucky on that one.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week honor roll:

  • North Texas WR Cameron Dorner (Oakdale) caught seven passes for 117 yards and one touchdown as the Mean Green beat Charlotte, 54-20.

  • Susquehanna QB Josh Ehrlich (Broadneck) completed 17 of 19 passes for 294 yards and five touchdowns and rushed seven times for 94 yards as the River Hawks beat Catholic, 69-13.

  • Texas Tech QB Mitch Griffis (Broad Run) completed 9 of 13 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown and rushed for another score as the Red Raiders beat Oklahoma State, 42-0.

  • Christopher Newport WR Colin Hart (Stone Bridge) caught eight passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns as the Captains beat William Paterson, 52-7.

  • Virginia Union LB Lamumba Howard (St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes) made 18 tackles with two sacks and one tackle for loss as the Panthers beat Bowie State, 24-7.

  • Buffalo WR Nik McMillan (Wise) caught eight passes for a career-high 177 yards as the Bulls lost to Akron, 24-16.

  • Georgetown LB Naiteitei Mose made four tackles with one tackle for loss and returned an interception 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds left as the Hoyas beat Bucknell, 31-24.

  • Howard RB Anthony Reagan Jr. rushed 18 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yard score in overtime, as the Bison beat Morgan State, 33-27.