Week 5 Maxwell Football Players of the Week

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The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) releases weekly awards throughout the college football season, recognizing the best offensive player (Maxwell Player of the Week) and the best defensive player (Bednarik Player of the Week). Here are the recipients for Week 5 of the 2024 season.

Maxwell Player of the Week

QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

The Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful receives his second Maxwell Player of the Week after Milroe led his now-No. 1 Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) over the now-No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1 SEC) on Sept. 28 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Originally, the Tide went up big over the Bulldogs before Georgia started to crawl back, even taking the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, it was Alabama's day as Milroe found 17-year-old freshman sensation Ryan Williams for a 75-yard touchdown reception right after that.

On the ensuing drive, Georgia had only a couple of minutes to tie the game. After getting a couple of first downs, the Bulldogs were back into Alabama territory. When the momentum finally felt like it was getting back to the Bulldogs' side, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was intercepted in the end zone by defensive back Zabien Brown to ice the game. They only took one kneel down before the Crimson Tide, once again, defeated the Bulldogs.

Milroe finished the game going 27-for-33 passing for 374 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also led the team in rushing yards, totaling 16 carries for 117 yards and 2 rushing TDs. It is no shock to see him back as the Maxwell Player of the Week as his Crimson Tide beat the Georgia Bulldogs, 41-34.

Bednarik Player of the Week

DE Abdul Carter, Penn State

The Penn State pass rusher had himself a game and thus earns himself his first Bednarik Player of the Week honor this season. The now-No. 9 Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten Conference) took on the now-No. 24 Illinois Illini (4-1, 1-1) on Sept. 28 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions may not have put up too many points, but they didn't need to. They won 21-7. Their defense held the Illini to just seven points as Penn State scored 21 unanswered to win the game. However, the defense was all over the Illinois offense.

That defense was led by Carter, who starred with 2 sacks and 2 tackles in the game. His teammates got in on the action as well as the Nitanny Lion defense got 5 total sacks and shut down the Illini offense. The Penn State defense pitched a second-half shutout. This helped the Nittany Lions claim their fourth win of the season and remain undefeated. On top of this honor, Carter also received the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week as well as the Co-Defensive Player of the Week presented by the Reese's Senior Bowl.

Our recipients deserve their honors this week. For Milroe, it is second time receving being selected for the Maxwell Player of the Week, and rightfully so. It only cements that Alabama has woken up and will be competing at the end for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

For Carter, this was a great performance from him. As the Nittany Lions continue to progress, it wouldn't be surprising if Carter makes it back on the list some time later this season.