DALLAS – Sam Houston’s Hunter Watson and Christian Pavon, along with FIU’s Travion Barnes, earned CUSA Player of the Week honors for week five. The weekly awards are voted on by a panel of the league’s media.
 
Offensive Player of the Week – Hunter Watson, Sam Houston – Junior – QB – Celina, Texas
Watson was an integral part of the Bearkats' 40-39 win, overcoming a 22-point deficit to take down Texas State on Saturday at NRG Stadium. He rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns, along with throwing for 95 yards to help lead Sam Houston (4-1, 1-0 CUSA) to their largest comeback in program history. His effort made him the first Bearkat quarterback in program history to rush for 100+ yards in consecutive games after having rushed for 116 in last week's win over NM State. Watson is averaging 67.6 yards per game on the ground, which is the most among CUSA quarterbacks in 2024 and ninth among all FBS quarterbacks. Following his efforts, Watson was named one of eight Manning Award Stars of the Week. 
 
Defensive Player of the Week – Travion Barnes, FIU – Junior – LB – Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Barnes tallied a game-high 14 tackles, including seven solo stops, to help the Panthers’ defense surrender a season-low 10 points in a 17-10 victory over LA Tech on Saturday. He also registered two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry in the victory. He has led FIU (2-3, 1-0 CUSA) in tackles in each of the last four games and recorded double-digit tackle efforts in three of the team’s four games this season. Barnes ranks in the top 10 nationally in both tackles (10.8) and solo tackles (6.4) per game.
 
Special Teams Player of the Week – Christian Pavon, Sam Houston – Junior – K – Willis, Texas
Pavon played a pivotal role in Saturday's 40-39 win over Texas State, culminating the biggest comeback in program history with a game-winning, 25-yard field goal with six seconds to play. It was his second field goal of the day, following a 46-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter that pulled the Bearkats within two. His two field goals capped off a run of 19 unanswered points to close the game. Pavon also made all four of his PAT attempts. He is now 6-8 on field goals in 2024, including 3-4 from 40+ yards, and a perfect 18-18 on PATs.
 
2024 Winners
Offensive Players of the Week
S2        Hunter Watson, Sam Houston
S9        Keyone Jenkins, FIU
S16       Caden Veltkamp, WKU
S23      Reese Smith, Liberty
S30      Hunter Watson, Sam Houston
 
Defensive Players of the Week
S2        Tayden Barnes, NM State
S9        CJ Bazile Jr., Liberty
S16       Caleb Weaver, Sam Houston
S23      Devonte’ Mathews, WKU
S30      Travion Barnes, FIU
 
Special Teams Players of the Week
S2        Christian Pavon, Sam Houston
S9        Colin Karhu, Liberty
S16       Buck Buchanan, LA Tech
S23      Cole Maynard, WKU
S30      Christian Pavon, Sam Houston