Arizona State Freshman Cardae Mack Wins National Honor
The Sun Devils running back earned weekly accolades after a standout performance against Kansas State.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Football
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Arizona State true freshman running back Cardae Mack has been named the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week. This recognition follows his explosive performance in a victory over Kansas State.
Why it matters
The weekly award from the Maxwell Football Club highlights elite emerging talent in college football. Mack has quickly become a focal point of the Arizona State offense.
Cardae Mack tallied 159 rushing yards on 26 carries during the Kansas State game. He is the first Arizona State freshman to record four or more rushing touchdowns in a single game since Leon Burton in 1955.
The players
Cardae Mack
He is a true freshman running back for Arizona State University who has emerged as a key offensive playmaker.
Sam Leavitt
He is the Arizona State University quarterback who earned the same national freshman honor in 2024.
Julian Hugo
He is an Arizona State University defensive player who recorded a sack during the team's victory over Kansas State.
Leon Burton
He is a former Arizona State player who held the freshman rushing touchdown record since 1955.
Maxwell Football Club
This organization serves as the awarding body for the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week honors.
The details
Mack dominated the game against Kansas State, also securing his second Big 12 Freshman of the Week title. Teammates including quarterback Sam Leavitt and defender Julian Hugo also contributed to the Sun Devils win.
Timeline
1955: Leon Burton rushed for five touchdowns to set a previous benchmark.
2024: Sam Leavitt secured the same weekly award.
October 2026: Cardae Mack debuted with 154 yards against Hawaii.
October 2026: Cardae Mack earned national honors vs Kansas State.
Upcoming weekend: Arizona State travels to play BYU.
Season Trajectory
Mack's production has significantly elevated the Sun Devils offensive ceiling as they move into the final stretch of the season. His breakout performance changes the defensive focus for upcoming opponents like BYU.
Mack surpassed his season total of 29 carries with a heavy 26-carry workload against Kansas State. This volume indicates he has replaced other options as the primary goal-line threat in the Sun Devils rotation.
The takeaway
Freshman players who establish early dominance can reshape the competitive identity of an entire team for the remainder of a season. Consistency in high-volume rushing games is often the clearest indicator of a long-term impact player.
What happens next
Arizona State will face BYU on the upcoming weekend.
Further reading
Stay updated on the Sun Devils at Tempe Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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