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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is Maryland football running back Antwain Littleton II.
The redshirt freshman and DMV native just had his best ever game in a Maryland uniform. In a dominant 27-13 win over Michigan State, Littleton carried the ball 19 times for 120 yards and scored the game's opening touchdown.
Littleton’s biggest run as a Terp came in the 4th quarter as he broke off a 68 yard run before getting knocked out at the 1-yard line. Littleton had an opportunity to add a second score but was not able to cross the goal line to extend the Maryland lead.
Photo: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics
“Minus the four cracks we had at the 1-yard line after the long run, Littleton has played really good football for us,” Maryland head coach Mike Locksley said. “He had the hot hand today. We left him in there, fed him. With a big body guy like that he wears down defenses. Eventually, something’s going to pop.”
Whether or not he scored at the goal line would not changed the final result anyway. Littleton still put on the most impressive showing of the day for Maryland, which now sits with a comfortable 4-1 record with games against Purdue, Indiana, and Northwestern up next.
The DMV saw eight teams in action this past week, including The Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, Washington Spirit, D.C. United, Howard & Maryland football teams, and preseason action for The Capitals and Wizards.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Wizards forward Rui Hachimura is the only Washington player to score in double figures in both preseason games thus far. Hachimura scored 13 in the opener against Golden State, and added 11 points in 10 rebounds in the second matchup with The Warriors on Sunday.
Last week’s DMV Star of the Week, Maryland kicker Chad Ryland, scored the game's only second half points on Saturday in a 27-13 win over Michigan State. Ryland knocked through two field goals, including a 51 yarder in the 4th quarter, putting the Terps up by two possessions and sealing the victory.
Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson hauled in his team-leading fourth touchdown of the year in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys. The rookie out of Penn State is quickly emerging as one of Carson Wentz’ favorite targets around the redzone.