IRVING, Texas – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the final week of the 2021 season.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Seth Henigan • Fr. • QB • Memphis
Henigan completed 27 of 42 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 33-28 win against Tulane, clinching bowl eligibility for the Tigers for the eighth consecutive season. Henigan turned in his sixth 300-yard game of the season and became the first Memphis freshman to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season (3,322). Henigan finished the regular season ranked second in The American with 302.0 passing yards per game.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ahmad Gardner • Sr. • CB • Cincinnati
Gardner led a Cincinnati defense that limited East Carolina to a season-low 13 points in a 35-13 victory, completing a 12-0 regular season for the Bearcats. Gardner finished with a season-high eight tackles to go with two pass breakups and added a 60-yard touchdown on a blocked field goal return to stake the Bearcats to a 28-6 lead.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
David Kemp • Fr. • K • Memphis
Kemp scored a career-high nine points, connecting on field goals of 27 and 40 yards, to help Memphis to a 33-28 win against Tulane, securing bowl eligibility for the Tigers. Kemp’s two field goals came in the third quarter, breaking a 14-14 tie, while the 40-yard field goal was a career long for Kemp.
 
HONOR ROLL
Tatum Bethune • Jr. • LB • UCF
Had a career-high 18 tackles in a 17-13 win against South Florida.
 
Desmond Ridder • Sr. • QB • Cincinnati
Completed 17 of 28 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 35-13 win at East Carolina. Became The American’s career leader in total offense (12,071 yards) and touchdown responsibility (114). 
 
Clayton Tune • Jr. • QB • Houston
Completed 21 of 30 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in a 45-17 win at UConn.
 
Chance Warren • Sr. • RB • Navy
Had 105 all-purpose yards, including two touchdown receptions, in a 38-14 win at Temple. Had three receptions for 43 yards and three punt returns for 62 yards. 
 
Tyjae Spears • RFr. • RB • Tulane
Rushed for a career-high 264 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries in a 33-28 loss at Memphis. Finished fourth on Tulane’s single-game rushing chart.