DALLAS – After coming off the bench to complete 18-of-26 passes for a career-high 191 yards and two touchdown passes to lead Louisiana Tech to a 37-34 comeback victory over UAB in double overtime, Bulldogs sophomore QB Aaron Allen has been voted the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week. The Defensive Player of the Week honors went to Louisiana Tech sophomore DB Bee Jay Williamson, who had 10 tackles, a career-best two interceptions and a forced fumble to set up the game-winning field goal. The Special Teams Player of the Week award was given to Louisiana Tech redshirt freshman K/P Jacob Barnes, who had three field goals, including two in overtime, four PATs and averaged 46.5 yards on six punts. C-USA Football Players of the Week are voted on by a panel of the league’s media.
Allen came off the bench to lead Louisiana Tech to a 37-34 comeback victory over UAB in double overtime, completing 18-of-26 passes for a career-high 191 yards and had two touchdown passes with zero interceptions. With the Bulldogs trailing 31-17 heading into the fourth quarter, Allen connected with redshirt junior WR Jawaun Johnson for a 30-yard touchdown on the first play of the period to make it a one possession game. With UAB leading 31-24 with 2:05 to go in the fourth, Allen lead the Bulldogs on a 13-play, 90-yard drive down the field. Allen ended the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior WR Adrian Hardy which tied the game at 31-31 with 10 seconds left in regulation. Allen remained at quarterback through both overtime periods where he helped set up K Jacob Barnes for a 36-yard and a 35-yard field goal to secure the win.
With Allen winning the award this week and Bulldogs graduate transfer Luke Anthony winning the Sept. 28 award, LA Tech is the first school in league history to have two different quarterbacks earn C-USA Offensive player of the Week honors in the same season.
Williamson had a career game in Louisiana Tech’s 37-34 double-overtime victory over UAB, recording 10 tackles and intercepting a career-best two passes against the Blazers, returning one for 79 yards. Williamson’s second interception came in the second quarter where he returned it for two yards before he lateraled the ball to senior defensive back Khalil Ladler who then ran it for an 81-yard touchdown. Williamson also recorded a crucial pass breakup on a UAB third down play late in the fourth quarter to force a Blazer punt. The Bulldogs tied the game on the next drive to force overtime. In the second overtime period, Williamson forced a fumble at the goal line that was then recovered by senior defensive back Zach Hannibal to give LA Tech possession and the chance to win the game on the next possession.
Barnes made the game-winning 35-yard field goal in double-overtime in the 37-34 LA Tech comeback victory over UAB. He made three of four field goal attempts in the game, including one in each overtime period to secure the win. Barnes was perfect in extra point attempts against the Blazers, making all four point after kicks to remain perfect in PATs this season. He also punted the ball six times for an average of 42.5 yards against UAB, including a career-long 53 yard punt, and placed three punts inside the UAB 20. This is the second Special Teams Player of the Week award for Barnes this season.
This is the first time that one school has won all three awards in the same week since North Texas did it on Sept. 17, 2018.
2020 WINNERS:
Offensive Player of the Week – Sept. 7 – Grant Wells, QB, Marshall; Sept. 14 – Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA; Sept. 21 – Frank Harris, QB, UTSA; Sept. 28 – Luke Anthony, QB, Louisiana Tech; Oct. 5 – Tyrrell Pigrome, QB, WKU; Oct. 12 – Aaron McAllister, RB, Charlotte; Oct. 19 – Jason Bean, QB, North Texas; Oct. 26 – Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA; Nov. 2 – Aaron Allen, QB, Louisiana Tech.
Defensive Player of the Week – Sept. 7 – KD Davis, LB, North Texas; Sept. 14 – Tyler Murray, LB, Charlotte; Sept. 21 – Tavante Beckett, LB, Marshall; Sept. 28 – Jamal Ligon, LB, UTSA; Oct. 5 – Leighton McCarthy, OLB, Florida Atlantic; Oct. 12 – Tavante Beckett, LB, Marshall; Oct. 19 – Eli Neal, LB, Marshall; Oct. 26 – Trey Baldwin, LB, Louisiana Tech and Antonio Parks, S, UTSA; Nov. 2 – Bee Jay Williamson, CB, Louisiana Tech.
Special Teams Player of the Week – Sept. 7 – Matt Quinn, K, UAB; Sept. 14 – Hunter Duplessis, K, UTSA; Sept. 21 – Jacob Barnes, K, Louisiana Tech; Sept. 28 – Lexington Joseph, KR, FIU; Oct. 5 – Brayden Narveson, K, WKU; Oct. 12 – Duron Lowe, KR, UTEP; Oct. 19 – Nikia Eason, Jr., OLB, UAB; Oct. 26 – Jalen Jackson, CB, Middle Tennessee; Nov. 2 – Jacob Barnes, K, Louisiana Tech.
https://conferenceusa.com/news/2020/11/2/nov-2-football-players-of-the-week.aspx
