Week 2 brought statement wins, breakout performances and several players who helped change the direction of their team’s season.
Here are this week’s standouts from across New England.
Player of the Week
Joquez Smith — Running Back — New Hampshire
Stat Line: 13 carries, 122 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns
New Hampshire needed a spark.
Joquez Smith provided it.
The senior running back powered the Wildcats to their first win of the season, breaking off three touchdown runs in a 42-35 victory over Stonehill.
Smith’s three-score performance was the first three-rushing-touchdown game by a New Hampshire player since 2022.
A big performance in a must-win situation makes Smith the Week 2 Player of the Week.
Honorable Mentions
William “Pop” Watson III — Quarterback — UMass
Stat Line: 19-of-22 passing, 197 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns
After leading UMass to a win over Rutgers in Week 1, Watson continued his strong start by helping the Minutemen improve to 2-0 with a victory over Sacred Heart.
The quarterback has quickly become the face of a resurgent UMass program.
Ryan Ricketti — Wide Receiver/Kick Returner — New Hampshire
Stat Line: 96-yard kickoff return touchdown, 182 all-purpose yards
Ricketti changed the game immediately.
His opening kickoff return touchdown set the tone against Stonehill and helped New Hampshire earn its first victory of the season.
He finished with 135 kickoff return yards and added three receptions for 47 yards.
Moses Meus — Linebacker — Rhode Island
Stat Line: 7 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, half sack, interception
Rhode Island’s defense dominated in a 31-10 victory over Elon.
Meus was at the center of it, helping the Rams force five turnovers while continuing to establish themselves as one of the region’s most interesting teams.
T.Y. Harding — Wide Receiver/Special Teams — UMass
Stat Line: Receiving touchdown, 82-yard punt return touchdown
Harding delivered one of the biggest impact performances of the weekend.
His punt return touchdown helped UMass pull away from Sacred Heart and continue its undefeated start.
Shamar Fowles — Wide Receiver — Bryant
Stat Line: 4 receptions, 112 yards, 1 touchdown
Fowles announced himself in Bryant’s 31-3 win over Hampton.
The redshirt freshman recorded his first career touchdown on a 60-yard reception and became the first Bryant receiver to eclipse 100 yards since 2024.
The Week 2 Takeaway
The second week of the season showed that New England football is producing stars across the region.
From quarterbacks leading turnarounds, to running backs carrying offenses, to defenders changing games, Week 2 gave us another look at the players who will shape the 2026 season.
The season is young.
The spotlight is getting brighter.
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