After becoming just the second player in Middle Tennessee history to rush for more than 100 yards and catch passes for more than 100 yards in the same game and scoring four touchdowns, Blue Raiders senior RB I’Tavius Mathers has been named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week.  The Defensive Player of the Week honor went to Middle Tennessee senior DT Shaquille Huff, who had eight tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in the win at Bowling Green.  The Special Teams Player of the Week award went to WKU junior Nacarius Fant, who had a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Hilltoppers victory at Miami (Ohio).  C-USA Football Players of the Week are voted on by a panel of the league’s media.

Sept. 19 Players of the Week release
 
Mathers made Blue Raider history on his way to a dominating performance in Middle Tennessee’s 41-21 win at Bowling Green.  He scored four total touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) and became just the second MT football player ever to amass 100-plus yards rushing and receiving in the same game.  Mathers also became the first player in NCAA Division I football to accomplish 100+ yards rushing and receiving in the same game this season.  He rushed for 157 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns, including a career-best 53-yarder.  He also had 103 yards receiving on four catches.  Mathers took a screen pass and turned it into a 73-yard TD reception to start the second half and provide MT a two-touchdown lead.  He also provided the go-ahead score just before halftime.
 
Huff had eight tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery to help lead a Blue Raider defense that pitched shutout football in the second half in the win at Bowling Green.  Huff’s fumble recovery late in the second half set up Middle Tennessee’s go-ahead touchdown that pushed the score to 28-21.
 
With WKU leading 7-0 late in the second quarter, Fant returned a Miami punt 48 yards for his first career return touchdown.  It was also the longest punt return of his career, and the first punt return touchdown for WKU since Antonio Andrews took one 70 yards to the house vs. Austin Peay on Sept. 1, 2012.  On the opening kickoff of the second half, Fant fielded the ball and threw it across the field to Kylen Towner, who was able to take it 41 yards to the Miami side of the field.  Fant also added one kickoff return for 24 yards to begin the 4th quarter following a Miami score.
 
2016 WINNERS:
Offensive Player of the Week – Sept. 5 – Mike White, QB, WKU; Sept. 12 – Trent Taylor, WR, Louisiana Tech; Sept. 19 – I’Tavius Mathers, RB, Middle Tennessee.
Defensive Player of the Week – Sept. 5 – Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech; Sept. 12 – Anthony Wilson, LB, Old Dominion; Sept. 19 – Shaquille Huff, DT, Middle Tennessee.
Special Teams Player of the Week – Sept. 5 – Parker Shaunfield, K, Southern Miss; Sept. 12 – Allenzae Staggers, KR, Southern Miss; Sept. 19 – Nacarius Fant, KR/PR, WKU.