University of Memphis Athletics
Lynch, Elliott Named American Players of the Week
Dec 01, 2014 | Football
University of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch and place-kicker Jake Elliott were named the American Athletic Conference’s Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week on Monday. Linebacker Tank Jakes also received American Weekly Honor Roll accolades.
In Memphis’ 41-10 win over Connecticut that allowed the Tigers to claim the American Athletic Conference title, Lynch established a new career high, passing for four touchdowns. The Deltona, Fla., native completed 22-of-41 passes for 194 yards and also ran for 40 yards on nine carries.
Three of Lynch’s touchdown passes came in the third quarter, a first by a Memphis quarterback since 2008.
During the UConn game, Lynch moved into fifth on Memphis’ season passing yard list (2,725) and established a new school record for touchdowns responsible for in a season with 28.
Elliott put the Tigers out in front of UConn with first quarter field goals of 21 and 22 yards and went on to score 11 points in the game to give him an American Athletic Conference-leading 107 points for the eyar.
Elliott was also 5-for-5 on PATs in the game and set a new school record during the contest for PATs, passing Stephen Gostkowski who had 48 in 2004. Elliott now has 49 on the year.
Despite winds gusting to the upper 20s, Elliott drilled seven of his kickoffs for touchbacks. The eighth kick was to the five and resulted in only a 16-yard return to the 21.
Defensively, Jakes led Memphis with nine total tackles as the Tigers held UConn to 269 yards of total offense. Jakes teamed with Charles Harris for a second quarter tackle for loss to snuff out a Connecticut drive. The play would help lead to a three-and-out and the Tigers would put together their first touchdown drive on their ensuing possession to take a 13-0 lead. Jakes’ tackle for loss moved him into sole possession of eighth on the Memphis career tackle for loss list with 32.5.
All three players received postseason team awards at Sunday Night’s Memphis Football Banquet hosted by the Highland Hundred.
The Tigers, 9-3 overall and conference champions with a 7-1 American mark, are expected to find out their bowl destination this weekend.
