#UACFOOTBALL -- Record-setting performances highlighted the selections for the United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football Player of the Week awards announced by the league office on Monday. The Austin Peay duo of Mike DiLiello (Offensive) and Kam Thomas (Special Teams) were joined by North Alabama's Philjae Bien-Aime (Defensive) and Utah Tech's Beau Sparks (Freshman) as honorees.
DiLiello, a graduate quarterback, led Austin Peay to a 63-3 win over ETSU in record-setting fashion, recording career-highs in completions (37) and passing yards (441) while matching his career-high in touchdown passes (5). DiLiello's performance set the Austin Peay single-game passing record with his five touchdown passes tied for the second-most in program history. His completions ranked third-best in APSU history and tied for the best game in the FCS this season. DiLiello also eclipsed 5,000 career passing yards in the win.
A redshirt sophomore defensive back, Bien-Aime recorded two interceptions in a 20-7 victory over Tennessee Tech on the road. His first interception led to a 42 yard field goal for the first points of the game, while his second interception was a circus grab on the sideline, becoming UNA's first multi-interception performance since 2021, and setting up the Lions' final points of the contest. He also finished with four tackles — including three solo — in a performance where the defense did not allow any TTU scores, the first defensive shutout since 2017.
Thomas, a redshirt-sophomore wide receiver and return specialist, returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, it was the longest punt return in the FCS this season and was the second-longest punt return touchdown in Govs history behind only his own 92-yard punt return touchdown at Central Arkansas last season. Thomas now has the only two punt returns in program history that have gone for more than 72 yards. His 123 punt return yards is an Austin Peay record and marks the first time in program history that a returner has topped the 100-yard mark on punt returns. The 123 punt return yards are currently the second-best single-game mark in the FCS this season.
A rookie wide receiver from El Paso, Texas, Sparks caught a career-high tying seven passes for 87 yards in Utah Tech's 50-36 road win at Northern Arizona. The freshman wideout picked up 43 of those yards on his first reception of the day which set up a Connor Brooksby field goal less than two minutes into the game. He also hauled in a 21-yard catch to help set up a second quarter touchdown.
| Date |
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special Teams |
Freshman |
| Sept 4 |
Takairee Kenebrew
(North Alabama) |
Patrick Jones
(Tarleton) |
Adrian Guzman
(Tarleton) |
Xavier Wishert
(Abilene Christian) |
| Sept. 11 |
Keylan Johnson
(Tarleton) |
D.J. Harris
(Tarleton) |
Kyle Ramsey
(Abilene Christian) |
Zach Mitchell
(Southern Utah) |
| Sept. 18 |
Mike DiLiello
(Austin Peay) |
Philjae Bien-Aime
(North Alabama) |
Kam Thomas
(Austin Peay) |
Beau Sparks
(Utah Tech) |
Other Nominees:
Offensive -
Jermiah Dobbins (ACU), ShunDerrick Powell (UCA), Parker McKinney (EKU), Demarcus Lacey (UNA), Isaiah Wooden (Southern Utah), Brian Mauer (SFA), Benjamin Omayebu (Tarleton), Kobe Tracy (Utah Tech)
Defensive -
Jevon McIver Jr. (APSU); Tamaurian Wilson (UCA); Logan Blake (EKU); Kohner Cullimore (Southern Utah); Jeremiah Walker (SFA); Josh Griffis (Tarleton); Syrus Webster (Utah Tech)
Special Teams -
Kyle Ramsey (ACU); Chandler Caughron (UCA); Sam Contorno (UNA); Chris Campos (SFA); Adrian Guzman (Tarleton); Connor Brooksby (Utah Tech)
Freshman -
Garrett Hawkins (APSU); Adam Watford (UNA)