AAC

Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, Quarterback
Stat Line: 23 for 32, 397 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

Unlike any other game, Teddy Bridgewater picked his opposition apart. Eastern Kentucky’s defense could not handle the underclass superstar and let him throw for nearly 400 yards. Bridgewater’s top notch placement, calmness in the pocket, and improved deep ball gave him the edge over his competitors.

Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, Quarterback
Stat Line: 26 for 37, 312 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

The fighting Illini were essentially counted out before the game had begun, but Scheelhaase had plans of his own. He had kept the game against Cincinnati rather tight until Cincinnati’s quarterback Munchie Legaux went down with an injury. At that point, Scheelhaase took command of the game and silenced all those who doubted Illinois.

Paul James, Rutgers, Running Back
Stat Line: 18 carries, 119 yards, 3 touchdowns

With quarterback Gary Nova having had a mediocre performance, Paul James was forced to be the backbone of Rutgers’ offensive attack. He slashed through Norfolk State for over six yards per carry and was responsible for more than half of his team’s points. With this outstanding follow up performance to his week one outing, James currently leads the AAC in rushing yards.

DeVante Parker, Louisville, Wide Receiver 
Stat Line: 5 receptions, 134 yards, 2 touchdowns

While Bridgewater was throwing beautiful passes, his receivers had to get open for him, and Parker did just that. Parker acts as Bridgewater’s safety blanket and he certainly proved that against Eastern Kentucky. His most impressive play was a 50/50 ball thrown to the left side of the end zone. Parker timed his stride correctly and went vertical for the ball, catching it and coming down for the touchdown.

Devekayan Lattimore, USF, Linebacker
Stat Line: 15 tackles, 1 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended

Did he make any flashy plays, such as interceptions or sacks? No, but he was a cyclone around the field. Lattimore made tackles all over the field. It seemed like his name was called after every other play for making a tackle. Not only that, but he was also able to break up a pass as the USF defense shut down Michigan State’s offense.

MWC

Kasey Carrier, New Mexico, Running Back
Stat Line: 41 attempts, 291 yards, 4 touchdowns

From this game alone, Carrier would have an 80 yard lead as the MWC’s top rusher. He shredded UTEP’s defense apart with his explosive burst into space. When in space, he had a few lethal cuts that made defenders miss and let him rack up more yards.

Eddie Yarbrough, Wyoming, Defensive Line
Stat Line: 9 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 fumble return

Wyoming seems to have a few underrated talents on their squad and Yarbrough certainly falls into this category. He did it all against Idaho and did not allow their quarterback to feel comfortable in the pocket. On two of the sacks, Idaho’s quarterback tried to escape and outrun him, but Yarbrough contained him and took him down.

Bryan Douglas, Boise State, Defensive Back
Stat Line: 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown

Just as Boise State’s Joe Southwick dominated the skies, Bryan Douglas did the same, but from the other side of the ball. Douglas was playing shutdown football and baited Tennessee-Martin’s quarterback into throwing two passes at him in which he intercepted. The touchdown return off of one of the interceptions was the icing on the cake.

Chuckie Keeton, Utah State, Quarterback
Stat Line: 32 for 40, 360 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interception, 77 rushing yards

Few quarterbacks in the nation have been as impressive as Keeton through these first two weeks of play. Keeton tore Air Force apart, showing no mercy with either his passing ability or athleticism. With his plethora of talents, Keeton is difficult to gameplan against and he continues to prove why.

Isaiah Burse, Fresno State, Wide Receiver
Stat Line: 4 receptions, 43 yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 2 punt return touchdowns

As a receiver, he didn’t do much of notice, but on special teams, Burse was electric. Not once, but twice, Burse was able to take a punt back for a touchdown. On the first, he did quite a bit of dancing around, while the second score was more fluid.