The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the week-ending Oct. 1.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Holton Ahlers • Sr. • QB • East Carolina
Ahlers completed 31 of 41 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns without an interception to lead East Carolina to a 48-28 win at South Florida. He had five touchdown passes in the first half to stake the Pirates to a 41-7 halftime lead on his way to his sixth career game with at least 400 passing yards. Ahlers moved into second place on The American’s career touchdown passes chart (85), trailing only former Memphis quarterback Brady White (90).
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Anderson • Sr. • LB • Tulane
Anderson matched his career high with 14 tackles — the most by an American Athletic Conference player — and delivered a key defensive play to lead Tulane to a 27-24 overtime win at Houston. His forced fumble midway through the third quarter was returned for a Green Wave touchdown to break what had been a 7-7 tie.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Joe Doyle • Sr. • P • Memphis
Doyle was instrumental in the field position battle in Memphis’ 24-3 win against Temple, a game that was a one-possession contest until midway through the third quarter. He averaged 53.5 yards on six punts, hitting four punts of at least 50 yards and one that covered 62 yards. Doyle is ranked second nationally in punting at 49.2 yards per punt.
HONOR ROLL
Deshawn Pace • Jr. • LB • Cincinnati
Had five tackles, a sack and an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 31-21 win at Tulsa.
Jabari Taylor • Sr. • DE • Cincinnati
Had 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in a 31-21 win at Tulsa.
C.J. Johnson. • Jr. • WR • East Carolina
Had seven receptions for 197 yards and a school- and conference-record four touchdowns in a 48-28 win at South Florida.
Xavier Cullens • Sr. • LB • Memphis
Had nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a 22-yard interception return in a 24-3 win against Temple.
Kai Horton • RFr. • QB • Tulane
Came off the bench to throw for 132 yards and three touchdowns, including a 10-yard TD in overtime, in a 27-24 win at Houston.
