Big East Players Of Week 1

The Big East Conference has announced its players of the week for the period ending Sept. 2, 2012:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Ryan Nassib • Sr. • QB • Syracuse • West Chester, Pa.

Nassib enjoyed one of the most prolific days by a quarterback in BIG EAST history in Syracuse’s 42-41 loss to Northwestern. He completed 45 of 66 passes for 482 yards — all school records — with four touchdown passes, rallying the Orange from a 22-point third-quarter deficit to a six-point lead with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter. The 66 pass attempts broke the BIG EAST single-game record, while the 45 completions tied the mark. The yardage total is fourth on the conference’s single-game chart. Nassib’s passing and total offense (512 yards) numbers are the best by a Bowl Subdivision player in the opening week of the season.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Yawin Smallwood • So. • LB • Connecticut• Worcester, Mass.

Smallwood keyed a Connecticut defense that turned in its first shutout since the 2007 season with a 37-0 win against Massachusetts. He had a team-high seven tackles to go with a sack, 3.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup as the Huskies didn’t allow the Minutemen to cross midfield. Connecticut allowed just 59 yards of offense — the fewest of any Bowl Subdivision team in Week 1 — and limited Massachusetts to just three first downs and an average of 1.3 yards per play.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Brandon McManus • Sr. • K/P • Temple • Hatfield, Pa.

McManus scored 11 points and averaged 44.2 yards on two punts to help Temple to a 41-10 win against Villanova in the Mayor’s Cup game at Lincoln Financial Field. McManus made field goals of 24 and 31 yards, was 5-for-5 on PATs and set Temple’s school record with the 47th and 48th field goals of his career.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

Teddy Bridgewater • So. • QB • Louisville • Miami, Fla.

Completed 19 of 21 passes for 232 yards before coming out in the third quarter of a 32-14 win against Kentucky.

Calvin Pryor • So. • S • Louisville • Port St. Joe, Fla.

Had a career-high nine tackles with two forced fumbles in a 32-14 win against Kentucky.

Khaseem Greene • Sr. • LB • Rutgers • Elizabeth, N.J.

Had 14 tackles and a sack in a 24-12 win at Tulane. Helped hold Tulane to eight rushing yards and 262 total yards.

DeDe Lattimore • Jr. • LB • South Florida • Athens, Ga.

Had 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks in a 34-13 win against Chattanooga. Led a defense that held the Mocs to 151 yards of offense.

Vaughn Carraway • Sr. • S • Temple • Laureldale, Pa.

Had three tackles, a fumble recovery and a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 41-10 win against Villanova.