Story and photo courtesy of BYU Athletics
BYU quarterback Taysom Hill, BYU cornerback Preston Hadley and Navy punter Pablo Beltran have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games played through September 29th. Hill receives recognition on Offense, Hadley is honored on Defense, and Beltran is cited on Special Teams. All three recipients are first-time honorees.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU QB Taysom Hill
A freshman from Pocatello, Idaho, Hill became BYU’s first true freshman to win in his starting debut at quarterback, pacing the Cougars to a 47-0 home win over Hawai’i. Hill completed 12 of 21 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 15 times for 143 yards and a score, making him the first BYU QB since Brandon Doman in 2001 to run for 100-plus yards in a game.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BYU CB Preston Hadley
A senior from Pleasant Grove, Utah, Hadley was a defensive difference-maker in helping BYU to a 47-0 home-field blanking of Hawai’i—the Cougars’ first shutout since 2009. Hadley recorded six tackles, including a sack, which forced a fumble that set up a BYU touchdown. Hadley’s stat sheet also included a team-high two pass break-ups.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Navy P Pablo Beltran
A sophomore from Humble, Texas, Beltran was an effective field position weapon in Navy’s 12-0 setback versus visiting San Jose State. Beltran punted five times for a 49.2 yard average, with a game-long effort of 57 yards. Three consecutive second-quarter kicks traveled 57, 55 and 53 yards, helping the Midshipmen remain within three points of the Spartans at the halftime intermission.
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The FBS Independent Players of the Week are selected by members of a nationwide media panel, which includes equal representation from each of the independent institutions’ coverage markets.