The Associated Press national player of the week in college football for Week 4 of the season was Alonza Barnett III from James Madison University. Barnett set a program record by accounting for seven touchdowns and accumulating 487 yards of total offense in his team's 70-50 victory over North Carolina. The quarterback completed 22 of 34 passes for 388 yards and five touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also rushed for 99 yards and two additional touchdowns.
In a close second was Michigan's running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for over 150 yards for the second consecutive game. Mullings played a crucial role in the Wolverines' 27-24 win over Southern California, with nearly half of his total yards coming on the decisive drive that ended with his 1-yard touchdown run in the final seconds.
Travis Hunter from Colorado received an honorable mention for his performance in the Buffaloes' 38-31 overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter had seven catches for 130 yards, marking his fifth consecutive 100-yard receiving game. He also contributed on defense with three tackles and a forced fumble that secured the win for Colorado.
Blake Horvath, the quarterback for Navy, had an outstanding game as well, rushing for 211 yards and four touchdowns while also throwing for 192 yards and two more touchdowns in a 56-44 win over Memphis.
Week 4 of college football saw some remarkable statistics, including the three highest-scoring games of the season: James Madison vs. North Carolina (120 points), SMU vs. TCU (108 points), and Washington State vs. San Jose State (106 points). Maryland's Tai Felton joined an elite group of Big Ten players with four straight 100-yard receiving games, while Brayden Schager of Hawaii achieved a passing accuracy rate of 80% or better, a feat not seen since Colt Brennan in 2007.
Other notable moments included Toledo's Tucker Gleason committing multiple turnovers in a single half and Tennessee's road victory over a top-15 opponent for the first time in over a decade. Additionally, Illinois and Indiana both started the season 4-0 for the first time since 1910.
Overall, Week 4 of college football showcased thrilling performances and historic achievements across the board, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.
