American Conference/ Ben Solomon

Football

The American Announces Opening Week Football Honors

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.