Stephenson receives special teams accolades

FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION INDEPENDENT PLAYERS OF THE WEEK NAMED

Army running back Raymond Maples, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and BYU punter Riley Stephenson have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games played through September 22nd.  Maples is recognized on Offense, Te’o is cited on Defense, and Stephenson is honored on Special Teams.  Te’o is a six-time weekly honoree, Stephenson is a three-time honors recipient, while Maples’ award is his first.

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.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

BYU P Riley Stephenson

A senior from St. George, Utah, Stephenson unloaded punts of 52, 55, 56, and 57 yards during BYU’s 7-6 setback at 24th-ranked Boise State.  On the night, Stephenson punted six times for a 47.0 yard average, with four of his kicks pinning the Broncos inside their 20-yard line.  Stephenson’s season punting average of 47.3 yards ranks fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Army RB Raymond Maples

A junior from Philadelphia, Pa., Maples rushed for 140 yards on only 15 carries, and added a 13-yard touchdown reception, as Army dropped a 49-37 shootout at Wake Forest.  Maples has topped the run-game century mark in three consecutive contests to open the season, becoming the first Black Knight to do so since Akili King in 1993.  Maples’ eight career hundred-yard games tie him for sixth place on Army’s all-time list.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o

A senior from Laie, Hawai’i, Te’o intercepted a pair of passes in helping Notre Dame to a 13-6 home win over 18th-ranked Michigan.  In addition to his picks and 28 interception return yards, Te’o tallied eight tackles (including a tackle for loss) and a blitzing quarterback hurry that contributed to another Wolverine turnover.  Te’o becomes the first Notre Dame player with multiple interceptions in a game against Michigan.