University of Houston Athletics
Taylor, Ward Named American Players of the Week
10/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON - Houston's Greg Ward Jr. and Steven Taylor swept The American Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors the league announced Monday. The honor comes after the duo helped Houston to its sixth 5-0 start in program history with a 49-28 win over SMU Thursday night, its third game this season with a winning margin of 21 points or more.
Houston is the first American program this season to sweep the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors in the same week. The Cougars lead the American with six overall honors this season as Monday's honor is Ward's third this season while Taylor joins William Jackson III as a Defensive Player of the Week and Brandon Wilson was named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 14. Houston is the first program to sweep offensive and defensive honors twice in the three-year history of the league, accomplishing the feat in 2013 as well.
 |
Ward set Houston records for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a game (4) and a season (11) with four scores on the ground in the win over SMU. The four rushing touchdowns mark the second-best single-game total in American history as Ward also had a passer rating of 202.29, finishing the night nearly perfect at 16-of-18 through the air with 243 yards and no interceptions. The junior QB finished the night with 82 yards rushing on 14 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and 325 yards of total offense.
Ward ranks third nationally with 11 rushing touchdowns and second nationally with a 72.5 completion percentage while ranking ninth nationally in yards per pass attempt. He is the only player in the nation to average over 200 yards per game passing and over 100 yards per game rushing.
The American Offensive Player of the Week honor is Ward's third this season and his second straight weekly honor. The Tyler, Texas, native also earned the award on Sept. 14 following his efforts in Houston's road win at Louisville.
Taylor collected a career-high three sacks for the second straight game in Houston's win over SMU. Half of Taylor's eight total tackles were for loss as the linebacker forced a key fumble late in the second quarter that Houston would recover before the UH offense tied the game at 21 on the ensuing drive.
The American's leader in sacks, Taylor accounted for 33 lost yards for SMU on his three sacks. Taylor also had a game-high three quarterback hurries as led a Houston defense that held SMU to 89 total yards in the second half.
Taylor is second nationally with 12 tackles for loss and third nationally with eight sacks through five games.
Monday marked the second career American Defensive Player of the Week honor for Taylor who also earned the honors last season following Houston's home win over Temple.
|
The two honors come one day after Houston was ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2011.
Houston is one of 16 teams that remain undefeated, including three teams in The American Athletic Conference. Led by first year head coach Tom Herman, UH is one of just two teams with a head coach in his first year with the program, joining No. 8 Florida and Jim McElwain as the only other.
The Cougars are getting it done in the trenches as they are the only team in the nation to rank in the top 10 in rushing offense (No. 8 - 287.2 yards per game) and rushing defense (No. 9 - 95.8 yards per game). Houston leads the nation in turnover margin (+2 per game) while ranking sixth in scoring offense (46.4 points per game) and total offense (573.4 yards per game).
Houston returns to action this Friday when it travels to New Orleans to take on Tulane. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. CT and the game will air on ESPNU and KPRC 950 AM.
2015 HOUSTON FOOTBALL SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Single-game tickets for the 2015 Houston Football season are now on sale via the Houston Athletics Fan Experience Headquarters. Single-game tickets to Houston's six remaining home games start at just $20 and are available by calling the Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-462-6647 or by clicking here.
2015 HOUSTON FOOTBALL GROUP TICKETS
Single-game group ticket sales for the 2015 Houston Football season are now on sale via Houston Athletics Fan Experience Headquarters. Groups of at least 10 or more can purchase tickets starting at just $17 per person to any of Houston's six remaining home games by calling or texting Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-GO-COOGS or by clicking here.
