PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the third week of the college football season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gunner Kiel • So. • QB • Cincinnati • Columbus, Ind.
Kiel will have a hard time topping his collegiate debut as he led Cincinnati to a 58-34 win against Toledo in the Bearcats’ season-opener. He set an American Athletic Conference record with six touchdown passes and threw for 418 yards on 25-of-37 passing against the Rockets. He had four TD passes in the first half to help the Bearcats build a 41-14 halftime lead and had two fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the game away after Toledo had closed to within seven.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Josh Hawkins • Jr. • CB • East Carolina • Winston-Salem, N.C.
Hawkins led a Pirate defense that limited 17th-ranked Virginia Tech to 21 points in a 28-21 East Carolina victory. He had two first-half interceptions, which came on successive possessions, to help the Pirates race to a 21-0 lead. Hawkins added eight tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup to help East Carolina to its first win in Blacksburg, Va., since 1991.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sam Geraci • Fr. • P • Cincinnati • Cincinnati, Ohio
Geraci played a key part in the field position battle, which helped Cincinnati to a 58-34 win against Toledo in the Bearcats’ season-opener. He averaged 38.2 yards on four punts in his first career game, including two kicks that were downed inside the 5-yard line.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Jeff Luc • Sr. • LB • Cincinnati • Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Had a career-high 12 tackles with one pass breakup in a 58-34 win against Toledo.
Shane Carden • Sr. • QB • East Carolina • Houston, Texas
Completed 23 of 47 passes for 427 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for the game-winning TD with 16 seconds left in a 28-21 win at No. 17 Virginia Tech. Set school records for career completions (741) and touchdown passes (63).
Cam Worthy • Sr. • WR • East Carolina • Blair, S.C.
Had a career-high 224 yards on just six receptions, averaging 37.3 yards per catch, in a 28-21 win at No. 17 Virginia Tech.
Daniel Spencer • Sr. • WR • Houston • Grandview, Texas
Had 10 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown in a 33-25 loss at No. 25 Brigham Young.
Nico Marley • So. • LB • Tulane • Weston, Fla.
Had five tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in a 35-20 win against Southeastern Louisiana.
