University of Memphis Athletics
Avery Named American Defensive Player of the Week
Oct 30, 2017 | Football
Senior linebacker becomes third-straight Memphis player to win the award
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Senior linebacker Genard Avery has been named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
This is the third consecutive week that a Memphis player has earned the league's defensive player of the week award. Last week, freshman defensive back TJ Carter was the recipient and prior to that sophomore defensive back Austin Hall won the award.
Avery spent the majority of his time Friday night in the Tulane backfield, recording a career-high 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in the 56-26 win over the Green Wave. The Tigers finished with seven sacks, tying a program record last set in a win over Arkansas State in 2013.
A native of Grenada, Miss., Avery finished with eight total tackles. The Tigers defense held Tulane to 122 yards rushing, the Green Wave's lowest ground output of the season.
Avery is the Tigers second-leading tackler this season with 54 stops and he leads the team with five sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Memphis has now received AAC Player of the Week honors six times this season. Sophomore Tony Pollard claimed the Special Teams Player of the Week in week one and senior Riley Ferguson twice earned the Offensive Player of the Week award.
