PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the 12th week of the college football season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Noel Thomas ∙ Jr. ∙ WR ∙ UConn ∙ Norwalk, Conn.
Thomas had seven receptions for a career-high 108 yards and both of UConn’s touchdowns in a 20-17 win against previously unbeaten and 13th-ranked Houston, helping the Huskies gain bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2010 season. Thomas had a 4-yard touchdown reception on the Huskies’ opening drive of the game and he added a 45-yard TD catch midway through the fourth quarter to put UConn ahead, 20-10. Thomas is UConn’s leading receiver with 49 catches for 656 yards and three touchdowns on the year.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Deatrick Nichols ∙ So. ∙ CB ∙ USF ∙ Miami, Fla.
Nichols had eight tackles to go with a pass breakup and two interceptions to lead USF to a 65-27 win against Cincinnati, keeping the Bulls alive in The American’s East Division race. Nichols scored a touchdown on a 29-yard interception return in the second quarter to give the Bulls a 34-0 lead, leading a defense that forced six turnovers on the day. Nichols has team highs with four interceptions and eight passes defended this season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Davis Plowman ∙ Jr. ∙ K ∙ East Carolina ∙ Roswell, Ga.
Plowman scored a career-high 14 points to help East Carolina to a 44-7 win at UCF, leaving the Pirates within one win of bowl eligibility entering the final week of the season. Plowman connected on field goals of 45, 36 and 36 yards and was 5-for-5 on PATs against the Knights. Plowman has made eight of his last nine field goal attempts for East Carolina.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Jamar Summers ∙ So. ∙ CB ∙ UConn ∙ Orange, N.J.
Had four tackles, two pass breakups and a key fourth-quarter interception in a 20-17 win against No. 13/14 Houston.
Blake Kemp ∙ Jr. ∙ QB ∙ East Carolina ∙ Chandler, Ariz.
Completed 35 of 50 passes for career highs of 465 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-7 win at UCF.
Will Anthony ∙ Sr. ∙ DE ∙ Navy ∙ Jacksonville, Fla.
Had eight tackles, including 3.0 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss, along with a forced fumble that resulted in a safety in a 44-21 win at Tulsa.
Xavier Jones ∙ Fr. ∙ RB ∙ SMU ∙ Spring, Texas
Rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries in a 49-21 win against Tulane.
Tyler Matakevich ∙ Sr. ∙ LB ∙ Temple ∙ Stratford, Conn.
Had a team-high 11 tackles with one tackle for loss in a 31-12 win against Memphis, becoming the seventh player in NCAA FBS history to register four 100-tackle seasons.
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