FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION INDEPENDENT PLAYERS OF THE WEEK NAMED
BYU quarterback Taysom Hill, Notre Dame defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt and BYU placekicker Justin Sorensen have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games played through Saturday, Oct. 19.
Hill is cited on Offense, Tuitt is honored on Defense, and Sorensen is recognized on Special Teams. Hill’s award is his second of the season and third of his career, while Sorensen’s second award this season is the fifth of his career. Tuitt is a first-time honoree.
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.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU QB Taysom Hill
A sophomore from Pocatello, Idaho, Hill rolled up 545 yards of total offense in leading BYU to a 47-46 win at previously unbeaten Houston. Hill completed 29 of 44 passes for a career-high 417 yards and four touchdowns, adding a team-high 128 rushing yards on a career-high 34 carries. Hill’s ground gains moved him past Steve Young for third place on BYU's career QB rushing list, with 1,108 yards to date. His performance also marks the first time a BYU quarterback has thrown for 400-plus yards and rushed for 100-plus yards in the same game.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame DL Stephon Tuitt
A junior from Monroe, Ga., Tuitt was the defensive catalyst in Notre Dame’s 14-10 home win over rival USC. Tuitt collected two sacks and made a career-high seven tackles as the Irish limited USC to 14 rush yards on 12 second-half carries. Notre Dame kept USC without a third-down conversion (0-for-11) after the first quarter, while five of the Trojans’ eight second-half drives managed five or fewer yards. Tuitt’s multiple-sack game was his first of the season and fourth of his career; only two Irish players have more career multiple-sack games (Justin Tuck, Bryant Young).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU PK Justin Sorensen
A senior from South Jordan, Utah, Sorensen was perfect on his placement kicks in BYU’s 47-46 win at Houston. Sorensen went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, hitting from 20 yards and 41 yards (season long), while going 5-for-5 on PATs. Sorensen is now 11-for-13 on his season FG attempts, and 25-for-25 on point-after tries. Sorensen also kicked off nine times with three touchbacks, including a key no-return kickoff preceding Houston's final possession, with 1:08 remaining in the game.