IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors from Week 9 of the 2025 season.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Drew Mestemaker • R-Fr. • QB • North Texas
Mestemaker broke the American and North Texas records for passing yards in a game with 608 as the Mean Green defeated Charlotte, 54-20, on Friday night. The redshirt freshman was 37-of-49 on the night with four touchdowns and one interception. His 608 yards mark as the highest this season in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is the 17^th-highest in FBS history.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Coleman Cauley • Jr. • LB • Navy
Cauley made his first career start and helped lead the Midshipmen to a 42-32 victory over Florida Atlantic. The junior recorded a career-high nine tackles, intercepted a pass and forced a fumble, which he recovered. Both of Cauley’s caused turnovers were turned into Navy touchdowns.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dante Atton • Jr. • P • Temple
Atton had five punts totaling 214 yards for an average of 42.8 yards per punt as the Owls defeated Tulsa on the road, 38-37, in overtime. The junior had four punts land inside the 20, including one that forced the Golden Hurricane to take a knee to go to overtime. He kept the field position in the Owls’ favor with punts to the 2- and 11-yard line in the fourth quarter.
 
HONORABLE MENTION
Brendon Lewis • R-Sr. • QB • Memphis
Completed 27 of 44 passes for a career-high 307 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-31 win over South Florida.
 
Blake Horvath • Sr. • QB • Navy
Rushed for 174 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in a 42-32 victory over Florida Atlantic. Was also 8-of-12 passing for 83 yards.
 
Quinton Jackson • R-Jr. • RB • Rice
Rushed for 168 yards on 21 carries with three touchdowns and caught three passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in a 37-34 double overtime win over UConn. Had a 75-yard touchdown catch as well as a 73-yard rushing score.
 
Byrum Brown • Sr. • QB • South Florida
Accounted for 390 yards of total offense and three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing) against Memphis. Rushed for 121 yards on 21 carries and went 26-of-43 for 269 yards.
 
Evan Simon • R-Sr. • QB • Temple
Completed 24 of 35 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-37 overtime win at Tulsa.