PHILADELPHIA AREA COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECAP AND PREVIEW

BY ROCK HOFFMAN

College Football Editor

Week one is in the books for the 2026 college football season so, Football Stories in naming their Philadelphia-area College Football Players of the Week.

KEVEUN MASON THE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Offensive Player of the Week – Keveun Mason, running back, Temple University. The sophomore from Fort Meade, FL ran for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Owls’ 38-14 win over Rhode Island. This week, Temple (1-0) hosts No. 16 Penn State (1-0).

Defensive Player of the Week – Carl Nesmith, linebacker, Delaware State University. The senior had 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss including a pair of sacks as the Hornets came up short at William & Mary 22-15. The Hornets (1-1) host Bowie State (0-1) on Saturday.

CARL NESMITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Delaware (1-0) rolled over Merrimack 42-7. Saturday, the Fightin’ Blue Hens visit Vanderbilt.

Villanova edged Bucknell 17-16. The Wildcats (1-1) are back on the road as they meet No. 24 Louisville (0-1).

West Chester beat Lincoln 21-13 in a matchup of the area’s two Division II teams. This week, the Golden Rams (1-0) have their home opener with No. 14 IUP (1-0) while the Lions (0-1) will take on Mississippi Valley State (0-2) in Chicago for the first of three HBCU Classics that Lincoln will play in this season.

Ursinus bested Delaware Valley 17-14. The Bears (1-0) travel on Saturday to face Waynesburg State (0-1). This week, the Aggies (0-1) visit Lebanon Valley College (0-1).

Eastern opened with a 24-14 loss to No. 24 Endicott College. The Eagles (0-1) will play their home opener on Saturday, against Misericordia (1-0).

Widener fell in their opener to Geneva 21-14. This Saturday, the Pride (0-1) hosts Alvernia (0-1).

Rowan was defeated by No. 21 Mary Hardin-Baylor 35-14. The Profs (0-1) are on the road this week at Moravian (0-1).

TCNJ lost to Lycoming 17-7. Next up for the Lions (0-1)is a trip to Wilkes (0-0) this Saturday.