ZAPPE, HENDERSON, JOHNSON TAKE HOME C-USA POTW HONORS

DALLAS – Following another impressive performance where he completed 34-42 passes for 482 yards and five touchdowns in a win at Rice, WKU QB Bailey Zappe was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. Old Dominion LB Jason Henderson took home Defensive Player of the Week honors following a career-day in a win over Florida Atlantic, after he recorded 12 tackles, a half tackle-for-loss, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. Old Dominion S R’Tarriun Johnson was named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned a blocked extra point 80-yards for two points and also recorded a pair of special teams tackles in the win over Florida Atlantic. The 2021 C-USA Players of the Week awards are presented by Surf & Turf Golf and are voted on by a panel of the league’s media.

Zappe completed 34-42 passes for 482 yards and five touchdowns (compared to only one interception) in his return to Texas on Saturday, as WKU defeated Rice 42-21. Zappe’s 482 passing yards were the most of any FBS quarterback last week, and the most by a C-USA quarterback since Zappe himself threw for 523 vs. UTSA on October 9. Zappe had seven completions of 20+ yards and 20 completions of 10+ yards in the win. Zappe was 20-27 for 330 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone, as the Hilltoppers carried a 28-0 lead into the break. Zappe’s day was done at the 8:43 mark of the fourth quarter after throwing his fifth touchdown of the contest; and the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Player of the Year semifinalist rested the final two series of the afternoon.

Henderson had a team and career-high 12 tackles, a half a tackle-for-loss, a fumble recovery and a blocked extra point in Old Dominion’s third consecutive win, this time over Florida Atlantic. His fumble recovery set up a field goal that gave ODU a 20-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. When the Owls cut the lead to 20-16 later in the final stanza, Henderson blocked the extra point and it was returned for two points to give ODU a 22-16 lead, a key shift in the game for the Monarchs, who held on to the 30-16 win over Florida Atlantic.

Johnson returned a blocked extra point 80 yards to flip momentum in Old Dominion’s 30-16 win over Florida Atlantic. FAU scored to cut Old Dominion’s lead to 20-16, when Henderson blocked the extra point attempt and Johnson returned it for two points to give the Monarchs a 22-16 lead, and they never looked back. Additionally, Johnson also recorded two special teams tackles in the game.

2021 WINNERS

Offensive Player of the Week – Aug. 30 – WR Jacob Cowing, UTEP, Sept. 6 – QB Chris Reynolds, Charlotte, Sept. 13 – QB Bailey Zappe, WKU and QB N’Kosi Perry, Florida Atlantic, Sept. 20 – TE Gerrit Prince, UAB, Sept. 27 – QB Chris Reynolds, Charlotte, Oct. 4 – QB Bailey Zappe, WKU, Oct. 11 – QB Frank Harris, UTSA, Oct 18 – WR Jerreth Sterns, WKU, Oct. 25 – QB Wiley Green, Rice, Nov. 1 – QB Bailey Zappe, WKU, Nov. 8 – RB DeWayne McBride, UAB, Nov. 15 – QB Bailey Zappe, WKU.

Defensive Player of the Week – Aug. 30 – S Dy’Vonne Inyang, UTEP, Sept. 6 – LB Eli Neal, Marshall, Sept. 13 – DB BeeJay Williamson, Louisiana Tech, Sept. 20 – DL Trumane Bell II, UTSA, Sept. 27 – LB Clarence Hicks, UTSA and S A.J. Brathwaite, Jr., WKU, Oct. 4 – S Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee, Oct. 11 – DE Alex Wright, UAB, Oct. 18 – DE Jadrian Taylor, UTEP, Oct. 25 – S Gabe Taylor, Rice, Nov. 1 – LB DQ Thomas, Middle Tennessee, Nov. 8 – DB Beanie Bishop, WKU, Nov. 15 – LB Jason Henderson, Old Dominion.

Special Teams Player of the Week – Aug. 30 – K Gavin Baechle, UTEP, Sept. 6 – K Hunter Duplessis, UTSA, Sept. 13 – PR Sheldon Jones, UTSA, Sept. 20 – P Kyle Greenwell, UAB, Sept. 27 – K Hunter Duplessis, UTSA, Oct. 4 – KR Camron Harrell, Southern Miss, Oct. 11 – KR Shadrick Byrd, Charlotte, Oct. 18 – S Grayson Cash, Oct. 25 – K Brayden Narveson, WKU, Nov. 1 – K Nick Rice, Old Dominion, Nov. 8 – KR Jayden Harrison, Marshall, Nov. 15 – S R’Tarriun Johnson, Old Dominion.

-ConferenceUSA.com-