University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Huff, Claybrooks named AAC Players of the Week
Dec 02, 2019 | Football
Second career POW nod for Huff, first for Claybrooks
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After the final week of the regular season, University of Memphis defensive end Bryce Huff was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week while defensive back Chris Claybrooks was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. Both players were crucial in Memphis' 34-24 victory against then-No. 18 Cincinnati on Black Friday.
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Huff and Claybrooks mark the eighth and ninth time, respectively, that a Memphis player has earned the league's Player of the Week honor, marking an all-time high for the Tigers. The previous record for Memphis in a single season was eight during the 2014 and the 2015 seasons.
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This is the second time this season Huff has earned the Defensive Player of the Week honors. He previously earned the nod after Memphis' 15-10 victory against Ole Miss in the season opener. Â
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In the Black Friday win against Cincinnati, Huff finished with a season-high 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks and a career-high two forced fumbles. Memphis finished with 15.0 TFL against the Bearcats, a total that has only been topped with a 16.0 TFL performance in the 1996 Memphis victory against No. 6 Tennessee.
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With his 3.5 TFL, Huff moved into fourth all-time at Memphis with 38.0 career TFL. He currently sits 4.0 TFL shy of Tony Brown for third place all-time. His 2.0 sacks against Cincinnati also nudged him up to seventh all-time with 17.5 career sacks.
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On the opening kickoff, Claybrooks recorded his first career kickoff return touchdown and the third such touchdown of the season for the Tigers. His 94-yard return marked the 11th kickoff return touchdown in the last four years by Memphis, a total that leads the nation.
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Claybrooks finished with a career-high 126 kickoff return yards on three touches. He also finished with a career-high six tackles and two pass breakups for the Tigers.
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The Tigers are preparing for the rematch with No. 21 Cincinnati on Dec. 7 in the AAC Championship Game. Tickets for the game are available at the Memphis ticket office at www.gotigersgotix.com or by calling 901-678-2231.
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Huff and Claybrooks mark the eighth and ninth time, respectively, that a Memphis player has earned the league's Player of the Week honor, marking an all-time high for the Tigers. The previous record for Memphis in a single season was eight during the 2014 and the 2015 seasons.
Â
This is the second time this season Huff has earned the Defensive Player of the Week honors. He previously earned the nod after Memphis' 15-10 victory against Ole Miss in the season opener. Â
Â
In the Black Friday win against Cincinnati, Huff finished with a season-high 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks and a career-high two forced fumbles. Memphis finished with 15.0 TFL against the Bearcats, a total that has only been topped with a 16.0 TFL performance in the 1996 Memphis victory against No. 6 Tennessee.
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With his 3.5 TFL, Huff moved into fourth all-time at Memphis with 38.0 career TFL. He currently sits 4.0 TFL shy of Tony Brown for third place all-time. His 2.0 sacks against Cincinnati also nudged him up to seventh all-time with 17.5 career sacks.
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On the opening kickoff, Claybrooks recorded his first career kickoff return touchdown and the third such touchdown of the season for the Tigers. His 94-yard return marked the 11th kickoff return touchdown in the last four years by Memphis, a total that leads the nation.
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Claybrooks finished with a career-high 126 kickoff return yards on three touches. He also finished with a career-high six tackles and two pass breakups for the Tigers.
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The Tigers are preparing for the rematch with No. 21 Cincinnati on Dec. 7 in the AAC Championship Game. Tickets for the game are available at the Memphis ticket office at www.gotigersgotix.com or by calling 901-678-2231.
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