FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION INDEPENDENT PLAYERS OF THE WEEK NAMED
BYU quarterback Taysom Hill, BYU linebacker Uani ‘Unga and Navy placekicker Nick Sloan have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games played through Saturday, Oct. 26. Hill is the honoree on Offense, ‘Unga is cited on Defense, and Sloan is the award recipient on Special Teams.
Hill’s honor is his second consecutive, third this season and fourth of his career, while Sloan is recognized for a first time this season and second time overall. ‘Unga is an honoree for the first time in 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.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU QB Taysom Hill
A sophomore from Pocatello, Idaho, Hill accounted for 408 yards of total offense in pacing BYU to a 37-20 home win over Boise State—a victory that snapped the Broncos’ 50-game October win streak. Hill completed 27 of 41 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions; he also carried the ball 18 times for 69 yards and one touchdown. Hill is currently the only FBS quarterback with 600-plus yards rushing (841) and 2,000-plus yards passing (2,019) on the season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU LB Uani ‘Unga
A senior from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., 'Unga recorded a team-high 15 tackles, including five solo stops, in the Cougars’ 37-20 win against Boise State. His stat line also featured a forced fumble, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. The Boise State game was ‘Unga’s fifth this season with a double-digit tackle tally; he is ranked 15th nationally among FBS players, averaging 10.4 tackles per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Navy PK Nick Sloan
A sophomore from San Diego, Calif., Sloan calmly drilled a 30-yard field goal as time expired to give the Midshipmen a 24-21 upset win over Pittsburgh in Annapolis, Md. Sloan was also 3-for-3 on extra-point attempts. The win was Navy’s 21st over a team representing a BCS conference since 2003, the most in the country by a non-BCS school.