BIG EAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS

BIG EAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS

BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

B.J. Daniels • Jr. • QB • USF • Tallahassee, Fla.Daniels posted career highs in completions (28), attempts (39) and passing yards (359) to lead USF to a 37-7 win against Ball State. Daniels, who played only two series in the second half, was 24-of-31 for 289 yards and a touchdown in the first half, helping to stake the Bulls to a 30-0 halftime lead.

BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Phillip Thomas • Jr. • S • Syracuse • Miami, Fla.Thomas had four tackles (all solo stops), two interceptions and a pass breakup to help Syracuse hold off upset-minded Rhode Island in a 21-14 win, lifting the Orange to a 2-0 start. He had a 10-yard interception return in the first half, while his second pick came in the fourth quarter on Rhode Island's final possession to clinch the win.

BIG EAST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Mark Joyce • So. • S • USF • Deland, Fla.Joyce set an early tone in USF's 37-7 win against Ball State as he recovered a fumble for a 17-yard touchdown on the game's opening kickoff, tying the record as the fastest scoring play in school history (eight seconds). Joyce also had two tackles as part of a defense that limited Ball State to 225 yards of offense.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

Isaiah Pead • Sr. • RB • Cincinnati • Columbus, OhioRushed for 155 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, averaging 11.1 yards per attempt, in a 45-23 loss at Tennessee.

Will Stein • Jr. • QB • Louisville • Louisville, Ky.Completed 30 of 43 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns - all career highs - in a 24-17 loss to Florida International.

Ray Graham • Jr. • RB • Pittsburgh • Elizabeth, N.J.Rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries in a 35-29 win against Maine. Leads the nation in rushing (161.0 ypg) through two weeks of the season.

Ryan Nassib • Jr. • QB • Syracuse • West Chester, Pa.Tied a school record with 29 completions and threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-14 win against Rhode Island.

Geno Smith • Jr. • QB • West Virginia • Miami, Fla.Completed 20 of 34 passes for 371 yards and matched his career high with four touchdowns in a 55-12 win against Norfolk State.