WATCH PLAYER OF THE WEEK HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The BIG EAST Conference has named Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, Connecticut linebacker Yawin Smallwood and Temple kicker/punter Brandon McManus the winners of the conference's weekly football honors following the first week of the 2012 season.

Nassib, who was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, 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.

Smallwood was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after he 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.

McManus was tabbed as BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week after he 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.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Nassib • Sr. • QB • Syracuse • West Chester, Pa.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Yawin Smallwood • So. • LB • Connecticut • Worcester, Mass.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brandon McManus • Sr. • K/P • Temple • Hatfield, Pa.

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 • USF • 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.