Tulsa’s Zaven Collins Earns Third AAC Defensive Player of the Week Honor This Year

IRVING, Texas –– For the third time this season, Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Zaven Collins was named the American Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced today by the league office.

In Tulsa's 28-24 comeback win over 19^th-ranked SMU, Collins led a Tulsa defense that held the Mustangs scoreless in the second half and to 175 yards below their season average of 526 total yards per game.

The 6'4" junior from Hominy, Okla., finished the game with 6 tackles, 2 TFLs for -10 yards, one sack for -9 yards, one QB hurry and intercepted a Shane Buechele pass with just over one-minute remaining to seal Tulsa's 21-point comeback victory.

Collins' previous weekly awards came for his performances against No. 11 UCF and USF. He was also named to the weekly honor roll following his season opening performance against Oklahoma State.

Collins shared the defensive honor this week with Cincinnati linebacker Jarell White.

Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith, from Grandview, Texas, was named to the AAC's Weekly Honor Roll this week after leading Tulsa to the comeback win Saturday. Smith completed 26-of-38 passes for season-highs of 325 yards and 3 TDs.

In the final 3 quarters, the 6'3" Smith completed 20-of-28 passes for 269 yards, 3 TDs and zero interceptions. His final TD pass and the eventual game-winner went 4 yards to James Palmer with 2:11 left in the contest.

It's the second time this year that Smith has been recognized as a weekly honor roll recipient.

Tulsa’s Zaven Collins Earns Third AAC Defensive Player of the Week Honor This Year

Players Mentioned

Zaven Collins

James Palmer

Zach Smith

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