LA Tech sweeps Conference USA Player of the Week awards after win over UAB

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech’s 37-34 double overtime comeback victory over UAB on Saturday was a total team effort.

And the team was recognized for it on Monday as Louisiana Tech swept the Conference USA weekly awards with sophomore quarterback Aaron Allen, sophomore defensive back Bee Jay Williamson and redshirt freshman kicker/punter Jacob Barnes earning offensive, defensive and special teams player of the week honors, respectively. The sweep marks the first time a Conference USA school has swept the weekly awards since North Texas did on Sept. 17, 2008.

Allen came off the bench to lead Louisiana Tech to a 37-34 comeback victory over UAB in double overtime. Allen completed 18-of-26 passes for a career-high 191 yards and had two touchdown passes with zero interceptions.

With the Bulldogs trailing 31-17 heading into the fourth quarter, Allen connected with redshirt junior wide receiver Jawaun Johnson for a 30-yard touchdown on the first play of the period to make it a one possession game. With the score sitting at 31-24 with 2:05 to go in the fourth, Allen came back in at quarterback to lead the Bulldogs on a 13 play, 90 yard drive down the field. Allen ended the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Adrian Hardy which, Barnes kicked the extra point, tied the game at 31-31 with 10 seconds left in regulation.

Allen remained at quarterback through both overtime periods where he helped set up Barnes for a 36-yard and a 35-yard field goal attempt to secure the LA Tech win.

With Allen winning the award this week and graduate transfer Luke Anthony winning the Sept. 28 award, LA Tech is the first school in league history to have two different quarterbacks earn C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors in the same season.

Williamson had a career game in the victory over UAB. Williamson had a career-high two interceptions against the Blazers, returning one for 79 yards. Williamson’s second interception came in the second quarter where he returned it for two yards before he lateraled the ball to senior defensive back Khalil Ladler who then ran it for an 81-yard touchdown. Williamson recorded a crucial pass breakup on a UAB third down play late in the fourth quarter to force a Blazer punt. The Bulldogs tied the game on the next drive to force overtime. In the second overtime period, Williamson forced a fumble at the goal line that was then recovered by senior defensive back Zach Hannibal to give LA Tech possession and the chance to win the game. Barnes made the game-winning field goal on that possession to seal the LA Tech victory. Williamson also led the Bulldogs with a career-high 10 tackles, including five solo, in the win.

Barnes made the game-winning 35-yard field goal against the Blazers. He made three of four goals in the game, including one in each overtime period to secure the Louisiana Tech win. His game-winning kick was the first game-winning field goal with no time remaining on the clock since Barnes’ brother, Jonathan Barnes, made the game-winning kick in the 2016 Armed Forces Bowl where the Bulldogs defeated No. 25 Navy, 48-45. Jacob Barnes was perfect in extra point attempts against the Blazers, making all four point after kicks to remain perfect in PATs this season.

Barnes also punted the ball six times for an average of 42.5 yards against UAB, including a career-long 53 yard punt, and placed three punts inside the UAB 20.

Tech (4-3, 3-2 C-USA) returns to action Saturday when its travels to Denton to face North Texas (2-3, 1-2 C-USA) at 6 p.m. (CT).

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