IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors from Week 1 of the 2026 season.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jaylin Carter • So. • RB • Memphis
Carter helped guide Memphis to two wins – a Week 0 road win over UNLV 27-21 and a Week 1 home win over Arkansas State 42-24. He averaged 140 yards per game and 8.2 yards per carry, while scoring five touchdowns. In the win over Arkansas Sate he finished with 183 yards (9.6 ypc) and four touchdowns.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Chris Thompson Jr. • Gr. • LB • Tulsa
Thompson recorded a game-high 10 tackles (five solo, five assists) in his first game since the 2004 season.  He produced a pair of key fourth down stops that help the Golden Hurricane defeated Oklahoma State for a second straight season, 24-10.  Thompson recovered a fumble on a fourth down stop in the second quarter that gave Tulsa the ball in Cowboys territory.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nico Gramatica • Jr. • K • South Florida
Gramatica continued his impressive Bulls career in Week 1, going 4-for-4 on field goals to extend his consecutive field goals made streak to 11. The four made field goals, and 13 points were both career-highs for the kicker as he helped lead the Bulls to a 19-9 win over FIU.  Gramatica connected on his sixth career field goal over 50 yards, with a 53 yarder in the second quarter.
 
HONORABLE MENTION
Zach Mundell • Sr. • SB • Army
Rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a 59-3 win over Bryant.
 
Braxton Woodson • Sr. • QB • Navy
Rushed for a career-high 200 yards on 23 carries, scoring three times in a 42-15 win over Towson.
 
Keveun Mason • So. • RB • Temple
Rushed for 158 yards on 20 carries, scoring two touchdowns in a 38-14 win over Rhode Island.
 
Owen McCown • R-Sr. • QB • UTSA
Completed 22 of 27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-16 win over UTRGV.
 
Damari Alston • R-Sr. • RB • Tulsa
Rushed for 73 yards on 15 carries, while scoring two touchdowns in a 24-10 win over Oklahoma State.