BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Following the Aggies’ thrilling 38-24 victory over Ole Miss, Texas A&M juniors Braden Mann and Travyeon Williams were named Southeastern Conference Players of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Mann garnered special teams player of the week honors after booting four punts that averaged 47.75 yards with two being downed inside the 20. Mann etched his name into the NCAA record book for the second time this season, unleashing his 13th punt of 60+ yards in 2018, tying Wake Forest’s Ryan Plackemeier, who originally set the record in 2005.
The Houston native continues to lead the FBS in gross punt average and is on pace to break the NCAA single season record at 50.95. Texas A&M ranks second nationally in net punting average at 43.76 as only 15 of Mann’s punts have been returned for a total of 109 yards.
Williams torched the Ole Miss defense to the tune of 228 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 31 carries to earn his first SEC weekly honor of the season. Williams ran for 172 yards in the second half on his way to eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming just the fifth Aggie in school history to reach the milestone twice in his career.
The 228-yard game was Williams’ fourth 200-yard rushing game of his career, tying Darren Lewis (1987-90) for the school record, and also ties Lewis as the only Aggies with two 200-yard rushing games in a season.
The Aggies return to action Saturday as they host 2018 Conference USA West champions UAB in a 6 p.m. contest at Kyle Field. The game is Military Appreciation/Senior Night as Texas A&M honors its 17 seniors in a pregame ceremony.
Tickets for the game can be purchased for as low as $50 at www.12thMan.com/tickets.
