Kick returner/wide receiver Cody Hoffman has been named the National Kickoff Returner Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards. Punter Riley Stephenson was also given an honorable mention by the CFPA for his performance last week.
In addition, Hoffman, BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy and Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert, have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games through Sept. 24. Eifert receives the weekly citation on Offense, while Van Noy is an honoree on Defense, and Hoffman is recognized on Special Teams. Van Noy’s award is his second of the season; Eifert and Hoffman are first-time honorees.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU WR/KR Cody Hoffman
A sophomore from Crescent City, Calif., Hoffman tallied 129 yards on two kickoff returns, the second of which he took 93 yards for a game-tying touchdown in BYU’s 24-17 home win over Central Florida. Hoffman’s scoring sprint was BYU’s first kickoff return touchdown since Oct. 17, 1998—a span of 161 games.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU LB Kyle Van Noy
A sophomore from Reno, Nev., Van Noy was his team’s leading tackler as BYU came from behind to secure a 24-17 home win over Central Florida. Among Van Noy’s eight stops was a sack that helped extinguish the Knights’ last-minute comeback hopes; moments earlier, his pass deflection led to a drive-ending interception inside the BYU five-yard line. A two-time recipient of the weekly defensive award, Van Noy also had a quarterback hurry on his stat line.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert
A junior from Fort Wayne, Ind., Eifert set a career-high with eight receptions for a game-high 75 yards and a touchdown as Notre Dame picked up its second straight win with a 15-12 decision at Pittsburgh. With the Fighting Irish trailing 12-7, Eifert was QB Tommy Rees’ top target on Notre Dame’s game-deciding drive, catching four balls including a six-yard scoring strike and the ensuing two-point conversion.
CFPA KICK SPECIALIST HONORABLE MENTION
BYU P Riley Stephenson
A junior from St. George, Stephenson frequently put the UCF Knights in bad field position with six punts for 272 yards, a 45.3-yard average. He had two punts inside the 20 and a career-long punt of 67 yards to help BYU perserve a 24-17 home victory. For more about the CFPA CLICK HERE.
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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.