Nearly missed in the ether was the announcement that Bearcats quarterback Gunner Kiel and kicker Andrew Gantz were honored by the AAC as offensive and special teams player of the week. Both players have won this award numerous times. Gantz especially has racked them up lately.
Here’s the full release from the American.
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
Gunner Kiel • So. • QB • Cincinnati • Columbus, Ind.
With questions abound as to whether he would start the game, Kiel played every snap on offense and helped Cincinnati win a 54-48 shootout against East Carolina, keeping the Bearcats even in the loss column atop the American Athletic Conference standings. Kiel completed 29 of 44 passes for a career-high 436 yards and four touchdowns, connecting on scoring strikes of 55, 17, 66 and 36 yards. After East Carolina took a two-point lead with 1:02 left in the fourth quarter, Kiel brought the Bearcats within field goal range on just three plays to set up the game-winning kick with 15 seconds left. Kiel leads the American Athletic Conference with 24 touchdown passes, while he ranks second in the conference in passing yards at 276.1 yards per game.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jacoby Glenn • So. • CB • UCF • Prichard, Ala.
Glenn led a UCF defense that limited Tulsa, which had ranked third in The American in passing offense (294.1 ypg) to just 72 passing yards and 201 total yards in the Knights’ 31-7 win. Glenn had four pass breakups to go with five tackles to help hold the Golden Hurricane to 222 yards below its average. Glenn is tied for the American Athletic Conference lead with 14 passes defended, while he ranks sixth nationally with 1.6 passes defended per game.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Andrew Gantz • Fr. • K • Cincinnati • Dayton, Ohio
Gantz scored 12 points, connecting on a pair of field goals and going 6-for-6 on PATs to help Cincinnati to a 54-48 win against East Carolina, keeping the Bearcats even in the loss column atop the American Athletic Conference standings. After East Carolina had taken a two-point lead with 1:02 left in the fourth quarter, Gantz scored the game-winning points on a 47-yard field goal with 15 seconds left. He added a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter. Gantz, who has made his last 10 field goal attempts, ranks second in The American in scoring (8.2 points per game).
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Justin Holman • So. • QB • UCF • Snellville, Ga.
Completed 16 of 27 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a 31-7 win against Tulsa.
Nick Temple • Sr. • LB • Cincinnati • Indianapolis, Ind.
Had 14 tackles with one tackle for loss in a 54-48 win against East Carolina.
Bobby McCain • Sr. • CB • Memphis • Oxford, Ala.
Had seven tackles to go with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 38-7 win at Tulane.
Mattias Ciabatti • Jr. • P • USF • Tampa, Fla.
Averaged a career-best 49.0 yards on five punts, downing all five inside the 20-yard line, in a 14-13 win at SMU. Hit three punts of 50 yards or better.
Jalen Fitzpatrick • Sr. • WR • Temple • Harrisburg, Pa.
Had four receptions for 113 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown, in a 30-13 loss at Penn State.
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