Week 11: Sieh Bangura, Ohio

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photo courtesy ohio athletics

Ohio University running back Sieh Bangura, who played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after his standout performance helped the Bobcats moved into a tie for first-place in the Mid-American Conference.

Bangura, a senior, rushed 17 times for 102 yards and one touchdown and returned a kickoff 97 yards for another score as Ohio handed Miami (Ohio) its first loss in conference play, 24-20.

It was Bangura’s third consecutive 100-yard game and fifth this season, continuing what has been a very rewarding season.

Bangura played his first three seasons at Ohio, He was the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2022, rushing for 1,078 yards and 13 touchdowns. After rushing for 811 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, Bangura transferred to Minnesota for the 2024 season But while he was accustomed to being a featured player at Ohio, he played sparingly at Minnesota, rushing just four times for 12 carries and seeing action in only three games.

Bangura then transferred back to Ohio for his final season of eligibility.

“He’s a huge part of why we’re successful on offense,” said Ohio first-year coach Brian Smith, who was an assistant coach at the school the previous three seasons, including a stint as running backs coach. “He and I had a really good relationship my first two years here. When he left, I understood where he was mentally and what his aspirations were. As the [2024] season was going on, I looked at how he was doing and I thought there was an opportunity he might get back in at some point.

“The relationship we have and the trust we have made it the right fit for him for his last season of college football. He’s making the most of it. You’re seeing how hard and how physical he plays, the determination he has with some of these runs. It’s really impressive.”

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

  • Christopher Newport QB Connor Barry (Madison) completed 15 of 29 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 12 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns as the Captains beat Salisbury, 45-42, in a meeting of previously undefeated teams.

  • James Madison S Tyler Brown (Spalding) made a career-high 13 tackles and broke up a pass as the Dukes beat Marshall, 35-23.

  • Bowie State DB Samuel Graham (North County) made a career-high 13 tackles as the Bulldogs beat Lincoln, 28-17.

  • Virginia Union LB Lamumba Howard (St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes) made 15 tackles with half a sack as the Panthers beat Virginia State, 14-3.

  • East Stroudsburg S Raquane Matthews (Eleanor Roosevelt) made a team-high nine tackles and intercepted two passes as the Warriors beat Millersville, 45-21.

  • Yale RB Josh Pitsenberger (Avalon) rushed 27 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 25 yards as the Bulldogs beat Brown, 34-22.

  • SMU DE Isaiah Smith (St. John’s) made nine tackles with four sacks as the Mustangs beat Boston College, 45-13.

  • Morehead State WR Ryan Upp (Tuscarora) caught nine passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning seven-yard score in the final minute, as the Eagles beat Butler, 31-30.