PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the opening week of the college football season.
_ _ OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK McKenzie Milton • UCF • Jr. • QB • Kapolei, Hawaii Milton led UCF to its 14th consecutive victory as the Knights took a 56-17 win at UConn. Milton completed 24 of 32 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns and added 50 rushing yards.
_ _ DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Bryan Wright • Cincinnati • Jr. • LB • New Castle, Del. Wright had four tackles, including two sacks and three tackles for loss, and had a pivotal forced fumble in the fourth quarter that resulted in the go-ahead safety as the Bearcats took a 26-17 win at UCLA.
_ _ Ed Oliver • Houston • Jr. • DT • Houston, Texas Oliver finished with a game-high 13 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, with two quarterback hurries in Houston’s 45-27 win against Rice. The 13 stops are the most by an American Athletic Conference player in Week 1.
_ _ SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Thomas Bennett • Tulsa • Jr. • P • Carlsbad, Calif. Bennett averaged 49.2 yards on four punts in Tulsa’s 38-27 win against Central Arkansas. Bennett’s kicks resulted in a 41.0-yard net average with a long punt of 68 yards.
_ _ HONOR ROLL Richie Grant • So. • UCF • S Had six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in a 56-17 win at UConn.
_ _ Michael Warren II • So. • Cincinnati • RB Rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries in a 26-17 win at UCLA.
_ _ D’Eriq King • Jr. • Houston • QB
_Completed 17 of 24 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns with one rushing TD in a 45-27 win at Rice. _
_ _ Brady White • Jr. • Memphis • QB Completed 22 of 28 passes for 358 yards and five touchdowns in a 66-14 win against Mercer.
_ _ Blake Barnett • Sr. • USF • QB Completed 24 of 34 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-14 win against Elon.
That was the first time I noticed Corbin throw his hand up as soon as he knew he had the step. Great communication and perfect throw by King on the run, across his body. There was nothing easy about that TD. Awesome!