IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors from Week 4 of the 2026 season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Maurice Turner • R-Sr. • RB • Tulane
Turner averaged over 16 yards per carry, with touchdown runs of 43 and 74 yards in the 24-21 win over Southern Miss. The redshirt senior rushed for 200 yards on 12 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown with 5:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. He is the second Tulane player to ever rush for 200 or more yards.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Marlin Dean • Gr. • DE • UAB
Dean had a career performance in the 24-20 win over Navy, finishing with 12 tackles (10 solo, two assist), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Dean forced fumbles in back-to-back four quarter possessions to help secure the win for the Blazers.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Easton Messer • 5th • PR/WR • Florida Atlantic
Messer had a highlight reel punt return in the second quarter of the Owls win over ULM, returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. It was the second-longest punt return in program history and first return touchdown since 2023.
HONORABLE MENTION
Cale Hellums• Sr. • QB • Army
Rushed for 109 yards on 22 carries, scoring three rushing touchdowns in a 21-17 win at Temple.
TJ Engleman Jr • 3rd Year. • RB • East Carolina
Totaled three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and 162 yards of total offense in a 42-9 win over NC Central.
Jahiem White • Sr. • RB • UNT
Scored four touchdowns on the ground and rushed for 133 yards on 11 carries in a 63-14 win over Houston Christian.
D.J. Crowther • R-Sr. • RB • South Florida
Rushed for 143 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries to lead South Florida past Bowling Green 14-6.
Mekhi Anderson • So. • WR/KR • UTSA
Returned a kick return 100 yards for a touchdown, while adding three receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown in a 59-45 win over Colorado State.