IRVING, Texas – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors from Week 1 of the 2024 season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Chandler Morris • Jr. • QB • North Texas
Morris, a transfer from TCU, figured in North Texas’ first five touchdowns as the Mean Green took a 52-38 win at South Alabama to open the 2024 season. Morris completed 32 of 41 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns, while he added a pair of rushing TDs to stake North Texas to a 35-26 third-quarter lead. Morris’ 32 completions and 432 yards were the most of any American Athletic Conference player in Week 1.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rayshawn Pleasant • So. • CB • Tulane
Pleasant had the defensive highlight of Week 1 in The American as part of Tulane’s 52-0 shutout against Southeastern Louisiana, in which the Green Wave defense limited the Lions to 201 yards of offense and only 99 passing yards. Pleasant led the way a spectacular 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, becoming only the second American Athletic Conference player to go end-to-end on a pick six and the first since East Carolina’s Josh Hawkins against Tulsa Oct. 17, 2015.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kamdyn Benjamin • Gr. • WR/PR • Tulsa
Benjamin averaged 21.3 yards on four punt returns, including a 66-yard touchdown in the first quarter that gave Tulsa a 14-7 lead as the Golden Hurricane scored a 62-28 win against Northwestern State. The punt return came one series after Benjamin had put Tulsa on the board with a 36-yard touchdown reception as Benjamin finished the game with 150 all-purpose yards.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jake Garcia • Jr. • QB • East Carolina
Completed 23 of 36 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-3 win against Norfolk State.
Seth Henigan • Sr. • QB • Memphis
Completed 22 of 30 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-0 win against North Alabama.
Damon Ward Jr. • Sr. • WR • North Texas
Had 12 receptions for 230 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-38 win at South Alabama.
Owen McCown • So. • QB • UTSA
Completed 28 of 38 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a 28-16 win against Kennesaw State.
Kirk Francis • RFr. • QB • Tulsa
Completed 23 of 30 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns in a 62-28 win against Northwestern State. Led all American Athletic Conference players with a 204.4 efficiency rating.
