From the American:
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the seventh week of the college football season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Paxton Lynch • Jr. • QB • Memphis • Tyler, Texas
Lynch completed 39 of 53 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 37-24 win against No. 13/12 Mississippi, giving the Tigers their first win against a nationally ranked opponent since 1996 and keeping Memphis unbeaten on the season. Lynch set career highs for attempts and completions and turned in his fifth straight game with at least 300 passing yards. All three of Lynch’s touchdown passes came during Memphis’ run of 31 straight points, which effectively put the game away.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Josh Hawkins • Sr. • CB • East Carolina • Winston-Salem, N.C.
Hawkins keyed East Carolina’s defensive effort which held Tulsa to a season-low 17 points in the Pirates’ 30-17 win. Hawkins had six tackles and gave the Pirates a lead they would not relinquish with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter. Hawkins has two interceptions and has made 31 tackles this season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Demarcus Ayers • Jr. • WR • Houston • Lancaster, Texas
Ayers set an American Athletic Conference record with 175 yards on punt returns, including a 73-yard return for a touchdown, in the Cougars’ 42-7 win against Tulane. Ayers averaged 21.9 yards on eight punt returns and finished the game with 283 all-purpose yards. Aside from his special teams play, Ayers was the game’s leading receiver with six catches for 93 yards, while he also added a 15-yard rushing touchdown.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Greg Ward Jr. • Jr. • QB • Houston • Tyler, Texas
Rushed for 77 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries and completed 17 of 25 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown in a 42-7 win against Tulane.
Rodney Adams • Jr. • WR • USF • St. Petersburg, Fla.
Had five receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-20 win at UConn.
Jamie Byrd • Sr. • S • USF • Dade City, Fla.
Had 12 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup in a 28-20 win at UConn.
Sean Chandler • So. • CB • Temple • Camden, N.J.
Averaged 26.0 yards on three punt returns to set up a pair of touchdowns and had a key interception in a 30-16 win against UCF.
Jahad Thomas • Jr. • RB • Temple • Elizabeth, N.J.
Rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns and had three receptions for 25 yards in a 30-16 win against UCF.
