Every Sunday throughout the season, the Walter Camp Foundation honors two players, one offensive and one defensive, for their performances from the previous day. Through 12 weeks, just three players from non-automatic qualifying conferences had been so honored, and none since Week 4.
This Sunday, the “lesser” conferences nearly matched that season-long total.
In its weekly press release, the fine folks at the Camp Foundation announced that Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr and San Jose State defensive back Bené Benwikere were named as the award’s National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
It’s the second time this season that non-AQ schools have swept the weekly honors.
Carr, the brother of former NFL overall No. 1 draft pick David Carr, set a school record for highest completion percentage in a game, completing 28-of-32 passes (.875) for 452 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions as the Bulldogs defeated Air Force, 48-15. The win clinched a share of the Mountain West title for the Bulldogs.
Benwikere tied a school record with three interceptions – including two in the fourth quarter – and was credited with eight tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass break-up as the Spartans beat Louisiana Tech, 52-43.
Below is the year-to-date list of weekly 2012 Camp honorees:
Week 1: West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner
Week 2: Louisiana-Monroe quarterback Kolton Browning, Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones
Week 3: Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o
Week 4: Nevada running back Stefphon Jefferson, Western Michigan linebacker Desmond Bozeman
Week 5: West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti
Week 6: Florida running back Mike Gillislee, Oregon State cornerback Jordan Poyer
Week 7: Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Rutgers linebacker Khaseem Greene
Week 8: Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, LSU linebacker Kevin Minter
Week 9: Arizona quarterback Matt Scott, Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones
Week 10: Oregon running back Kenjon Barner, Kansas State cornerback Allen Chapman
Week 11: Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger
Week 12: Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, Stanford linebacker Shayne Skov
Week 13: Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr, San Jose State defensive back Bené Benwikere