Week 1: Braxton Woodson, Navy

/

photo courtesy navy athletics

Navy quarterback Braxton Woodson has been named the DC Touchdown Club College Player of the Week after his career-best performance led the Midshipmen to a season-opening win.

Woodson started one game in each of his first three seasons in Annapolis, but this is clearly his team now. Although he was only 3 of 6 passing for 21 yards, the senior rushed 23 times for a career-high 200 yards and three touchdowns as the Midshipmen beat Towson, 42-15.

“I think it was a really good opening game for us,” Woodson said. “Obviously there is a couple things to clean up on the offensive side of the ball. But if there’s a couple things to clean up and you can score 42 points, that’s not a bad day."

Navy Coach Brian Newberry said that Towson was sagging off the line of scrimmage, inviting the Midshipmen to run the ball. As a team, Navy rushed 73 times for 506 yards, its highest rushing output since 2017.

Woodson started the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown run on Navy’s opening possession and his eight-yard touchdown run made it 28-12 just before halftime. His four-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter finished the scoring.

“I thought he ran the offense well today and made good decisions,” Newberry said. “Braxton’s got a chance to be a really special player for us. There wasn’t really a need to throw the football [though] I’m excited about our ability to do that, too, when we need to do it. We took what they gave us today.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club College Player of the Week Honor Roll:

  • Tennessee DL Xavier Gilliam (Quince Orchard) made six tackles with three sacks and forced a fumble as the Volunteers beat Furman, 56-9.

  • Syracuse WR Umari Hatcher (Freedom-Woodbridge) caught eight passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns as the Orange beat New Hampshire, 66-3.

  • Richmond LB Blake Houser (DeMatha Catholic) made 12 tackles and broke up a pass as the Spiders beat Howard, 28-21.

  • LSU RB Dilin Jones (Good Counsel) rushed 23 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers beat Clemson, 51-10.

  • Campbell WR Spencer Jones (Good Counsel) caught seven passes for 126 yards and one touchdown as the Camels beat Western Carolina, 28-19.

  • Kansas WR Nik McMillan (Wise) caught six passes for 130 yards and one touchdown as the Jayhawks beat Long Island, 51-6.

  • Dickinson CB Ellington Roane (Langley) made eight tackles and broke up three passes as the Red Devils beat Randolph-Macon, 27-14.

  • Monmouth QB Frankie Weaver (Good Counsel) completed 26 of 37 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with less than three minutes left, as the Hawks beat Sacred Heart, 31-24..