Week 5: Matei Fitz, Richmond

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photo courtesy richmond athletics

University of Richmond defensive lineman Matei Fitz, who played at Tuscarora High in Leesburg, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after his standout performance helped the Spiders rally for a 13-12 win over Howard this past Saturday.

Fitz made a season-high seven tackles and delivered perhaps the biggest play of the game when he intercepted a pass deep in Howard territory midway through the fourth quarter. It was Fitz’s second career interception – his first in three years – and set up the go-ahead score.

“When the play started, I just went and started playing screen,” Fitz said. “I saw the running back leak out and I was in great position. I saw the ball and I kind of blacked out, so I don’t really know what happened there. But I just know I ended up with the ball and it worked out well.”

The Spiders (3-2) took over on the Howard 7-yard line and scored on the following play.

It was another strong game for Fitz, who started his career at James Madison. He redshirted there his freshman year in 2021, then transferred to Richmond, where he has become a mainstay. Now a senior, he is in his second full season as a starter.

“When I got to college, it was a rude awakening and I knew it was going to take some time for me to work my way up the depth chart,” Fitz said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do that at JMU, so that’s when I came here. I had an opportunity and I jumped on it. It was the best decision I ever made.”

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

  • Villanova RB David Avit (Churchill) rushed 17 times for 133 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats beat William & Mary, 31-24.

  • Christopher Newport QB Connor Barry (Madison) completed 17 of 30 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns as the Captains beat Susquehanna, 41-27, to match a school record with their eighth consecutive win.

  • Hampden-Sydney WR Mason Cunningham caught four passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers beat Guilford, 69-14.

  • Louisville TE Nate Kurisky (Gonzaga) caught four passes for 31 yards including the decisive nine-yard touchdown catch midway through the fourth quarter as the Cardinals beat Pitt, 34-27.

  • Navy LB MarcAnthony Parker made 13 tackles with two tackles for loss at the Midshipmen beat Rice, 21-13.

  • Yale RB Josh Pitsenberger (Avalon) rushed 28 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Cornell, 41-24.

  • Salisbury LB Ryan Salvosa (Madison) made a team-high seven tackles with three tackles for loss and intercepted a pass as the Sea Gulls beat Catholic, 55-6.

  • North Carolina Central WR Chauncey Spikes (Rock Creek Christian) caught six passes for 113 yards and one touchdown as the Eagles beat East Texas A&M, 50-42.