Stephenson receives special teams honors

FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION INDEPENDENT PLAYERS OF THE WEEK NAMED—WEEK 2

Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, Notre Dame cornerback Bennett Jackson and BYU punter/kicker Riley Stephenson have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games played through September 8th.  Golson is recognized on Offense, Jackson gets the nod on Defense, while Stephenson is cited on Special Teams.  Stephenson wins the weekly honor for a second time; Golson and Jackson are first-time honorees.

The FBS Independent Players of the Week are selected by members of a nationwide media panel, which includes equal representation from each of the independent institutions’ coverage markets.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson

A sophomore from Myrtle Beach, S.C., Golson completed 21 of 31 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions, as Notre Dame opened its home slate with a 20-17 win over Purdue.  Golson also recorded his first career rushing touchdown on a three-yard dive that opened the scoring for the Irish; the TD drive included a career-long 41-yard pass completion.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Notre Dame CB Bennett Jackson

A junior from Hazlet, N.J., Jackson came up with the first two interceptions of his Notre Dame career as the Irish earned a last minute, 20-17 victory over visiting Purdue.  Jackson’s first pick and subsequent 11-yard return helped set up a field goal that gave the Irish a ten-point third-quarter lead; his second interception came on Purdue’s final-play downfield heave, sealing the win.  Jackson’s gameday tally also included a pair of tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

BYU P/K Riley Stephenson

A senior from St. George, Utah, Stephenson punted five times for an average of 53.2 yards, with a long boot of 61 yards, in BYU’s 45-13 LaVell Edwards Stadium win over Weber State.  Stephenson also made his lone field goal attempt (33 yards) and all six of his PAT tries.