Bearcats kicker Andrew Gantz has earned the honor of AAC Special Teams Player of the Week. He’s the second Bearcat to win this honor, along with punter Sam Geraci. Gantz knocked in 3 field goals and a pair of extra points during the Bearcats romp over SMU. Bearcat quarterback Gunner Kiel was named to the honor roll as well. Kiel has racked up the honor roll mentions this season.
South Florida receiver Andre Davis was the AAC Offensive Player of the Week. That probably makes Bearcat fans everywhere a little bit nervous. Cincinnati is slated to play South Florida on Friday night.
A quick note about the USF game. Cincinnati has opened as an 11 point favorite. While that seems a little short, that also seems about right. I think that game will be something like 10-14 points. Good job Vegas? Sure.
Here’s the full release about the players of the week from the American.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the eighth week of the college football season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Andre Davis • Sr. • WR • USF • Tampa, Fla.
Davis helped USF engineer the largest comeback in program history as the Bulls overcame a 27-7 halftime deficit to take a 38-30 win at Tulsa. He finished with six receptions for 154 yards, including three second-half touchdowns as USF outscored the Golden Hurricane 31-3 in the final 30 minutes. Davis had five receptions for 149 yards after halftime, including the 85-yard TD with 6:13 left in the fourth quarter which gave the Bulls the lead. Davis has registered back-to-back 100-yard games since returning from an opening-week sternum injury.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Steven Taylor • So. • LB • Houston • Cedar Hill, Texas
Taylor led a Houston defense that forced four turnovers and held Temple, which had averaged 38.2 points per game, to just 10 points in a 31-10 win against the Owls. He had a team-high seven tackles and made the defensive play that changed the game when he forced a fumble on the Houston 1-yard line and recovered it in the end zone, allowing the Cougars to hold on to a 17-10 lead. Temple did not score the rest of the way as Houston picked up its third win in four games.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Andrew Gantz • Fr. • K • Cincinnati • Dayton, Ohio
Gantz scored 11 points, including three field goals, to help Cincinnati to its first American Athletic Conference win of the season, a 41-3 win at SMU. Gantz connected on a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter to give the Bearcats a 9-3 lead and spark a run of 35 unanswered points for Cincinnati. He added field goals of 30 and 21 yards in the second half. Gantz has gone 7-for-8 on field goals this season and has made his last five attempts.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Brandon Alexander • Sr. • S • UCF • Orlando, Fla.
Had eight tackles, an interception and a pass breakup in a 20-13 win against Tulane.
Gunner Kiel • So. • QB • Cincinnati • Columbus, Ind.
Completed 13 of 20 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 50 yards on six carries in a 41-3 win at SMU.
Greg Ward Jr. • So. • QB • Houston • Tyler, Texas
Completed 29 of 33 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 44 yards in a 31-10 win against Temple.
Elkino Watson • Sr. • DT • USF • Miami, Fla.
Had seven tackles with a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss in a 38-30 win at Tulsa.
Jahad Thomas • So. • RB • Temple • Elizabeth, N.J.
Finished as Temple’s leading rusher and receiver, with three catches for 150 yards and seven carries for 49 yards in a 31-10 loss at Houston.
Gantz header photo via Bearcat Insider
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
