BYU Football Players Of The Week Awards Through Non-Conference Play
Sep 20, 2023, 3:08 PM
PROVO, Utah – Just like that, one-quarter of the 2023 BYU football season is in the rearview mirror. Unlike years past as an Independent, this point of the season signals a shift to conference play.
BYU is gearing up for its inaugural Big 12 Conference slate beginning Saturday at undefeated Kansas in Lawrence.
The Cougars have jumped out to a fast start in their first year as a Big 12 member. BYU is 3-0 to start a season for the third time in four years. Last week’s upset victory at Arkansas in SEC Country was their signature moment to date on the season.
BYU football coaches dish out Players of the Week recognition each week, highlighting players who contributed significantly to a given game.
BYU football coaches’ Players of the Week awards
Here’s a recap of the Player of the Week honors through BYU’s non-conference stretch the past three weeks.
Along with players of the week, BYU gives out “champs of the week,” recognizing under-the-radar performances to impact a game. Plus, the top performers on the scout team that week.
BYU 14, Sam Houston 0
- Defensive Player of the Game: Jakob Robinson, Cornerback
- Offensive: LJ Martin, Running Back
- Special Teams Game Changer: Ryan Rehkow, Punter & Marcus McKenzie
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Jakob Robinson was a star on an underwhelming week one performance against Sam Houston. Robinson had two interceptions in BYU’s first shutout victory since 2014 and first against an FBS team since 2012.
Freshman running back LJ Martin came off the bench and gave BYU “a spark” to put the game away against the Bearkats.
Ryan Rehkow earned Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his nine-punt performance. His punts opened the door for fans to learn of the speed from punt team gunner Marcus McKenzie.
- Defensive Champs of the Week
- Ethan Slade, Safety
- Eddie Heckard, Cornerback
- Kamden Garrett, Cornerback
- Tyler Batty, Defensive End
- Jackson Cravens, Defensive Tackle
- Scout Team Players of the Week
- Bodie Schoonover, Defensive End
- Sam Dawe, Offensive Line
BYU 41, Southern Utah 16
- Offensive Player of the Game: Kedon Slovis, Quarterback
- Defensive: Kamden Garrett, Cornerback
Kedon Slovis accounted for five touchdowns as BYU pulled away from Southern Utah in the second half. Weber State transfer Kamden Garrett had the first interception of his collegiate career against SUU.
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- Offensive Champs of the Week
- LJ Martin, Running Back
- Darius Lassiter, Wide Receiver
- Keanu Hill, Wide Receiver
- Chase Roberts, Wide Receiver
- Defensive Champs of the Week
- Max Tooley, Linebacker
- Eddie Heckard, Cornerback
- Special Teams Champs
- Ryan Rehkow, Punter
- Marcus McKenzie
- Harrison Taggart
- Scout Team
- Jayden Dunlap, Cornerback
- Miles Davis, Running Back
BYU 38, Arkansas 31
- Offensive Player of the Game: Parker Kingston, Wide Receiver
- Defensive: Tyler Batty, Defensive End & Eddie Heckard, Cornerback
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Parker Kingston contributed in various ways to BYU’s offense in the win over Arkansas. He threw a touchdown pass to Deion Smith. Then he had a touchdown grab of his own.
BYU defensive end Tyler Batty was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his career-high nine tackle performance that also included 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The fumble recovery was caused by Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson by cornerback Eddie Heckard off the edge.
- Defensive Champs of the Week
- Jackson Cravens, Defensive Tackle
- John Nelson, Defensive Tackle
- AJ Vongphachanh, Linebacker
- Blake Mangelson, Defensive End
- Offensive Champs
- Paul Maile, Center
- Connor Pay, Guard
- LJ Martin, Running Back
- Special Teams Champs
- Jacob Boren
- Parker Kingston
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.
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