After throwing for a career-high 444 yards and three touchdowns in a convincing win over SMU, North Texas junior QB Mason Fine has been named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week.  The Defensive Player of the Week honor went to Louisiana Tech junior S James Jackson, who forced two turnovers, recovered one and posted six tackles in a victory at South Alabama.  The Special Teams Player of the Week award was given to Southern Miss sophomore PR Quez Watkins, who returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in a win over Jackson State.  C-USA Football Players of the Week are voted on by a panel of the league’s media.  All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World Headwear.

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Fine led the Mean Green to a dominating win over Metroplex rival SMU, 46-23, on Saturday night.  Fine completed 40-of-50 passes for a career-high 444 yards (fifth-most in a single game in program history) and three touchdowns with no interceptions.  The 40 completions were a career high as well, tying for the third-most in a single game in program history.  Fine led the Mean Green to their eighth consecutive home win, which dates back to November 19, 2016 (against Southern Miss).  Fine opened the game 8-for-8 and connected with 10 different receivers in the win.
 
Jackson helped lead Louisiana Tech to a season-opening road victory over South Alabama after he filled up the stat sheet with six tackles, half a sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery on Saturday night in Mobile.  All were career highs for the junior safety who accounted for half of the Bulldogs turnovers against the Jaguars.
 
Watkins returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the win over Jackson State.   He is the first Golden Eagle to score on a punt return since Allenzae Staggers returned one 75 yards for a score against Savannah State on Sept. 10, 2016.  Watkins totaled 103 yards on three punt returns in the game.  Watkins finished the day with 241 all-purpose yards – the most since Ito Smith tallied 254 against ULM last season.  He also tallied a career-high 138 yards on eight catches with three touchdown receptions (28, 22, 24).
 
2018 WINNERS:
Offensive Player of the Week – Sept. 3 – Mason Fine, QB, North Texas.
Defensive Player of the Week – Sept. 3 –James Jackson, S, Louisiana Tech.
Special Teams Player of the Week – Sept. 3 – Quez Watkins, PR, Southern Miss.