University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Duo Earn Conference Accolades
10/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 23, 2006
HOUSTON, Texas - For the third time this season, a Cougar tandem picked up Conference USA weekly hardware, as defensive tackle Marquay Love and kicker Ben Bell were named the C-USA Players of the Week, it was announced Monday by the league office in Irving, Texas.
Earlier this year Love and quarterback Kevin Kolb were named the Conference USA Players of the Week after Houston rallied past Rice in the season opener. Then, Kolb and punter Justin Laird picked up the weekly honors after the Cougars' 34-25 win over Oklahoma State.
Love picked up the Cougars' first defensive accolade in 2006. Trailing 17-10 at the half, the Houston defense shut down the potent UTEP offense in the second half, led by Love. Love harassed Miner quarterback Jordan Palmer all evening, and Love finished with a team-high seven tackles, including three for losses and one sack.
The Cougar defense held the Miners to no points and just 33 yards of total offense on 17 plays in the second half. The Miners entered the game averaging 378.0 yards and 30.7 points per game, but Houston limited UTEP to just 17 points and 236 yards of total offense.
As for Bell, this award marks the second time this season the sophomore from Stephenville, Texas, grabbed the C-USA headlines. Bell nailed a career-best 42-yard field goal as well as a 35-yard attempt, and was perfect on all four of his extra point attempts in helping the Cougars snap a three-game losing streak with a 34-17 win over UTEP.
Bell has now converted 41 straight PATs dating back to last season and is a perfect 28-for-28 this season. He was named the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week after Houston's 45-7 over Tulane on Sept. 9.
Marshall junior Ahmad Bradshaw has been named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week after tallying 242 yards in a 31-24 victory over host UAB.
