IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors from Week 7 of the 2026 season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cale Hellums • Sr. • QB • Army
Hellums was a touchdown machine in Army’s dominant 56-24 win over Florida Atlantic. The senior QB rushed 25 times for 195 yards and five touchdowns including a 58-yard scamper. He became just the ninth player in American Conference history to rush for five or more touchdowns in a single game.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kevin Adams III • Jr. • S • Tulane
Adams III was all over the field in Tulane’s 31-17 victory over Memphis finishing the game with nine tackles, eight of which were solo stops, a fumble recovery and two interceptions. His second INT of the game came in the end zone with :34 seconds remaining to seal the win for the Green Wave.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Caile Hogan • Jr. • P • UTSA
Hogan was a weapon with his leg in UTSA’s thrilling 38-34 win over Navy in the punt game. The junior punter averaged 42.8 yards on five punts and pinned the Midshipmen inside their own 20-yard line three times, forcing Navy to start drives at their own 8-, 3- and 8-yard lines.
HONORABLE MENTION
Stonka Burnside, So., WR, Memphis
Burnside caught seven passes for 151 yards and a touchdown in Memphis’ road contest at Tulane.
Connor Harrell, 5th, QB, Charlotte
Harrell totaled 303 yards of total offense in Charlotte’s win over Temple. He threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for two more scores on the ground.
Baylor Hayes, So., QB, Tulsa
Hayes completed 20-of-27 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns in Tulsa’s victory over Rice. Hayes led Tulsa to 31 consecutive points to rally from a 17-7 deficit.
Owen McCown, Sr., QB, UTSA
McCown threw for a season-high 359 yards and three touchdowns to help lead UTSA to a 38-34 win over Navy. He completed 28-of-38 passes and helped the Roadrunners rally from an early 14-0 deficit to earn the win.
Jo’Tavion Pierce, R-Fr., DB, UAB
Pierce tallied 16 tackles, 10 of which were solo stops, with 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a PBU and a QB hurry in UAB’s 30-17 win over East Carolina.