FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION INDEPENDENT PLAYERS OF THE WEEK NAMED
Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy and Notre Dame placekicker/punter Kyle Brindza have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games played through Saturday, Oct. 5. Reynolds receives the honors on Offense, Van Noy is cited on Defense, and Brindza is recognized on Special Teams.
Van Noy is honored for the second consecutive week and fifth time in his career; for Brindza, the citation is his first of the season and fourth of his career, while Reynolds’ first honor of the season is the second of his career.
The FBS Independent Players of the Week are selected by members of a nationwide media panel, which includes equal representation from each of the independent institutions’ coverage markets.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU LB Kyle Van Noy
A senior from Reno, Nev., Van Noy got BYU off to a stunning start at Utah State, returning an opening-play interception 17 yards for a touchdown, helping the Cougars to a 31-14 win. The TD was Van Noy’s fifth in a BYU uniform, extending his school career record for defensive scores. Van Noy’s game stat tally also featured five tackles (including a tackle for loss), a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Navy QB Keenan Reynolds
A sophomore from Antioch, Tenn., Reynolds rushed 28 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns, leading Navy to a 28-10 home-field victory over Air Force. Reynolds also completed six of his 10 pass attempts for 54 yards, as the Midshipmen took their first step toward retaining the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Navy is now 9-3 when Reynolds starts at quarterback, and Saturday's win marked the Mids’ largest margin of victory over Air Force in 35 years.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame PK/P Kyle Brindza
A junior from Canton, Mich., Brindza tied the Notre Dame record for longest made field goal with his 53-yard conversion in a 37-34 win at No. 22 Arizona State. On the night, Brindza connected on three of four field goal attempts and recorded a 50.5 yard average on two punts. He was also 4-for-4 on PATs, and registered seven touchbacks on eight kickoffs. Brindza’s 53-yard FG was Notre Dame’s longest scoring kick since Dave Reese converted from the same distance against Pittsburgh in 1976.