University of Houston Athletics
Taylor Named American Defensive Player of the Week
10/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - For his defensive effort in a pivotal American Athletic Conference win vs. Temple on Friday, Houston Football linebacker Steven Taylor was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office Monday.
Backed up into its own end zone, the Houston defense was facing a Temple offense that looked to tie the game up at 17 early in the third quarter before Taylor forced a Temple fumble at the goal line and recovered the ball in his own end zone for a Houston touchback.
Houston would hold the Owls to 10 points for the remainder of the game in a 31-10 win as Taylor's fumble accounted for one of four turnovers. Taylor played a pivotal role in helping the Cougars to its 30th straight game forcing a turnover and 25 of the last 28 games forcing multiple turnovers.
The sophomore led the Cougars with seven tackles and accounted for one quarterback hurry.
Taylor becomes the second Cougar this season to earn a Player of the Week honor, joining kicker Kyle Bullard, who was named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 6.
Also recognized by The American this week was sophomore quarterback Greg Ward, Jr., earning a spot on the Weekly Honor Roll.
Ward finished the night with a completion percentage of 88 percent, completing 29 of his 33 attempts for a career-high 268 yards and two touchdowns. Ward also ran for 44 yards in the victory. Ward's 29 completions and 268 yards were the most from any quarterback against the Temple defense who entered the weekend as The American's top passing defense and fifth nationally, giving up an average of just 151.0 passing yards per game. Ward ended the night with a passing efficiency rating of 176.1 against a Temple defense who led The American and ranked sixth nationally in pass efficiency defense at 97.1.
UP NEXT
Houston Football hits the road for just the third time this season when it travels to Tampa, Fla., to take on American Athletic Conference foe USF on Saturday, Nov. 1. Kickoff for the game will be announced Monday by The American.
SINGLE GAME TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game ticket sales for the inaugural season in TDECU Stadium start at $36 per person for reserved seats and $25 for general admission at any of Houston's seven home games, including 2014 Fiesta Bowl champion UCF, and can be purchased by calling the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.
YOUNG ALUMNI TICKET INFORMATION
University of Houston alumni from the last five years (2010-14) can purchase season tickets for just $125 (upper levels) and $175 (lower level) in specially designated Young Alumni sections with a multiplier of four times donations to Cougar Pride giving levels for the first five years after graduation. Each ticket consists of a $25 Cougar Pride donation with the four times Young Alumni multiplier, resulting in a $100 donation credit and a Cougar Pride parking pass in the TDECU Stadium Garage. Young Alumni can purchase tickets here or by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
GROUP TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game group ticket sales for the inaugural season in TDECU Stadium are now on sale via the Houston Athletics Ticket Office. Groups of at least 10 or more can purchase tickets starting at just $21 per person to any of Houston's seven home games, including 2014 Fiesta Bowl champion UCF, by calling the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.
