DALLAS – Following Week Zero competition, a quartet of New Mexico State Aggies, along with Jax State’s Conor Donaghy, earned the first CUSA Player of the Week honors of the 2026 football season. The weekly awards are voted on by a panel of the league’s media.
 
Offensive Player of the Week – Trey Hedden, NM State – Jr. – QB – Tampa, Fla.
In his Aggie debut, Hedden completed 26-42 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a hard-fought road loss at Florida State. His 26 completions were the third-most by any FBS quarterback during Week 0, while his 272 yards were the fifth-most. Hedden led NM State on two 75-yard touchdown drives, in addition to a 68-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. His two touchdowns matched his career high and marked the 12th time that the Furman transfer has thrown multiple touchdowns in a single game at the collegiate level.
 
Defensive Player of the Week – Gabe Peterson, NM State – Gr. – DE – Overland Park, Kan.
Peterson logged seven tackles at Florida State – the second most on the defense – while adding a tackle for loss and a half sack. His half sack came on a third down in the red zone, forcing the Seminoles to settle for a field goal. Peterson also recorded one quarterback hurry.
 
Special Teams Player of the Week – Conor Donaghy, Jax State – So. – P – Galbally, Ireland
Donaghy averaged 46.4 yards per punt on five attempts in a season-opening loss to North Dakota State. He placed three inside the Bison 14-yard line, including two within the 10-yard line. Donaghy’s long punt of 51 yards pinned North Dakota State at their own one-yard line, and his shortest punt of the night (44) was downed at the Bison 14-yard line.  
 
Freshman of the Week – Carson Su’esu’e – NM State – R-Fr. – TE – Oakley, Calif.
Su’esu’e made his Aggie debut at Florida State and was targeted once, resulting in a catch for seven yards. The Oklahoma State transfer earned seven total snaps.
 
Offensive Lineman of the Week – Ma’Kyi Lee, NM State – Gr. – OL – Metairie, La.
Lee started at left tackle for the Aggies after missing nearly the entire 2025 season due to injury and saw 32 snaps by nights end. He finished the night with a PFF grade of 70.9, including a 76.9 pass block grade. Lee allowed just one pressure on 21 snaps in pass block.
 
2026 Weekly Award Winners
 
Offensive Players of the Week
A31     Trey Hedden, NM State
 
Defensive Players of the Week
A31     Gabe Peterson, NM State
 
Special Teams Players of the Week
A31     Conor Donaghy, Jax State
 
Freshmen of the Week
A31     Carson Su’esu’e, NM State
 
Offensive Linemen of the Week
A31     Ma’kyi Lee, NM State