PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The BIG EAST Conference has named Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova, Louisville defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin and Syracuse kicker Ross Krautman the winners of the league's weekly football honors for the week-ending Oct. 20.
Nova was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week after he led Rutgers to its eighth consecutive win and helped the Scarlet Knights improve to 4-0 in BIG EAST play with four second-half touchdown passes in a 35-10 win at Temple. Trailing 10-0 at halftime, Nova led a Scarlet Knight offense that scored 35 unanswered points to close the game. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 232 yards, helping Rutgers to just its third 7-0 start in program history and its second 4-0 start in BIG EAST play.
Mauldin was chosen as BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after he helped Louisville remain unbeaten at 7-0 as the Cardinals scored a 27-25 win against USF to improve to 2-0 in BIG EAST play for just the second time. Mauldin had six tackles, including two sacks and three tackles for loss, to go with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry. His strip sack and fumble recovery came late in the first half and allowed Louisville to take a 14-3 lead into halftime.
Krautman, the BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week, scored 16 points — the most by a BIG EAST kicker in a game this season — to help Syracuse to a 40-10 win against Connecticut, improving the Orange to 2-1 in BIG EAST play. Krautman hit field goals of 22, 33, 42 and 47 yards and was 4-for-4 on PATs. He finished the game with 203 career points, tying Don McAulay for eighth on Syracuse’s career chart.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gary Nova • So. • QB • Rutgers • Elmwood Park, N.J.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lorenzo Mauldin • So. • DE • Louisville • Atlanta, Ga.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ross Krautman • Jr. • K • Syracuse • Franklin Lakes, N.J.
HONOR ROLL
Greg Blair • Sr. • LB • Cincinnati • Pittsburgh, Pa.
Had 15 tackles with one tackle for loss in a 29-23 loss at Toledo. Led a defense that did not allow an offensive touchdown.
Teddy Bridgewater • So. • QB • Louisville • Miami, Fla.
Completed 21 of 25 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-25 win against USF. Completed his first 11 passes of the game.
Preston Brown • Jr. • LB • Louisville • Cincinnati, Ohio
Had a career-high 17 tackles with one pass breakup in a 27-25 win against USF.
Jamil Merrell • Jr. • DT • Rutgers • Bear, Del.
Had three tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack with a forced fumble in a 35-10 win at Temple.
Shamarko Thomas • Sr. • S • Syracuse • Virginia Beach, Va.
Had four tackles, a forced fumble and a 27-yard interception return in a 40-10 win against Connecticut.
