PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the first week of the 2016 college football season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Greg Ward Jr. • Sr. • QB • Houston • Tyler, Texas
Ward improved to 20-2 all-time as Houston’s starting quarterback as he completed 23 of 40 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 33-23 win against No. 3 Oklahoma. Ward was 10-for-12 on third down against a defense that ranked ninth nationally in pass efficiency last season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Trent Martin • Sr. • LB • Tulsa • Jenks, Okla.
Martin led a Tulsa defense that held San Jose State to 287 total yards and 53 rushing yards in a 45-10 win. He finished with a team-high 11 tackles to go with 1.5 tackles for loss and a tipped pass that was intercepted by a teammate for a defensive touchdown. Martin had seven solo tackles among his 11 stops.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brandon Wilson • Sr. • CB • Houston • Shreveport, La.
Wilson made the pivotal play of Houston’s 33-23 win against No. 3 Oklahoma when he fielded a missed field goal against the back of the end zone and returned it the length of the field for a 100-yard touchdown, giving the Cougars a 26-17 third-quarter lead. Wilson added 54 yards on three kickoff returns and had a game-high 10 tackles.
HONOR ROLL
Philip Nelson • Sr. • QB • East Carolina • Deforest, Wis.
Completed 28 of 32 passes for 398 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-7 win against Western Carolina.
Ed Oliver • Fr. • DT • Houston • Houston, Texas
Had seven tackles and 2.0 sacks in a 33-23 win against No. 3 Oklahoma.
Justin Lawler • Jr. • DE • SMU • Pottsboro, Texas
Had eight tackles and 3.5 sacks in a 34-21 win at North Texas.
Courtland Sutton • So. • WR • SMU • Breham, Texas
Had four receptions for 162 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-21 win at North Texas.
D’Angelo Brewer • Jr. • RB • Tulsa • Tulsa, Okla.
Rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries in a 45-10 win against San Jose State.