Temple University Athletics
Matakevich Named AutoNation Defensive Player of the Week
12.1.15 | Football, T. Matakevich - All-American Candidate
PHILADELPHIA – Linebacker Tyler Matakevich led Temple's defense to a second consecutive game without giving up a touchdown in a 27-3 win over UConn. The senior linebacker recorded a team-high 11 tackles and helped the Owls earn the American Athletic Conference East Division title, and his fine play also earned the AutoNation National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Nov. 28, as selected by the Football Writers Association on America.
The 6-1, 232-pound senior from Stratford, Conn., has led Temple in tackles in all 12 of its games this season – he's the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to do so in 2015. Six of Matakevich's tackles against UConn were unassisted, and he added a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss on a defense that didn't allow a UConn first down on eight of its 11 drives. UConn also finished with only nine yards rushing and 138 total yards. Temple also held Memphis without a touchdown in a 31-12 win on Nov. 21.
"This is an amazing feeling," Matakevich said following the UConn win. "Once you see that trophy finally in your hands, there's no greater feeling than that but you can't be satisfied yet. We didn't work hard all year just to get there - we want to win. We'll enjoy this tonight but we have the conference championship next week."
Matakevich, a finalist for the FWAA's Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the national defensive player of the year, has 118 tackles on the season, 14 tackles for losses and five sacks. Temple, with its first 10-win regular season and division title in tow, will play at Houston in the AAC Championship on Saturday.
As part of AutoNation's history of charitable involvement, AutoNation will donate $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in Matakevich's name.
"In our 75th season of existence, this a marvelous platform to get our players and the team of the week series excellent exposure as well as helping AutoNation in its effort to fight cancer and contribute to the educational funds of deserving student-athletes," said FWAA 2015 President Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald. "It is very exciting to be able to help our organization as well as others in this splendid effort."
The FWAA National Defensive Player of the Week and National Team of the Week, both sponsored by AutoNation for the first time this year, have been determined collectively by a group of FWAA officers and the FWAA All-America Committee for several years. The AutoNation FWAA Offensive Player of the Week has been added this season. Nominations are taken from game performance all over the country each week and then those nominations are reviewed by the FWAA, which determines the actual recipients.
About AutoNation, Inc.:
AutoNation is transforming the automotive retail industry through bold leadership. We deliver a peerless automotive retail experience through our customer-focused sales and service processes. Owning and operating 293 new vehicle franchises, which sell 35 new vehicle brands across 15 states, AutoNation is America's largest automotive retailer, with state-of-the-art operations and the ability to leverage economies of scale that benefit the customer. As an indication of our leadership position in our industry, AutoNation is a component of the S&P 500 Index.
About the Football Writers Association of America:
Founded in 1941, the FWAA consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
The 6-1, 232-pound senior from Stratford, Conn., has led Temple in tackles in all 12 of its games this season – he's the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to do so in 2015. Six of Matakevich's tackles against UConn were unassisted, and he added a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss on a defense that didn't allow a UConn first down on eight of its 11 drives. UConn also finished with only nine yards rushing and 138 total yards. Temple also held Memphis without a touchdown in a 31-12 win on Nov. 21.
"This is an amazing feeling," Matakevich said following the UConn win. "Once you see that trophy finally in your hands, there's no greater feeling than that but you can't be satisfied yet. We didn't work hard all year just to get there - we want to win. We'll enjoy this tonight but we have the conference championship next week."
Matakevich, a finalist for the FWAA's Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the national defensive player of the year, has 118 tackles on the season, 14 tackles for losses and five sacks. Temple, with its first 10-win regular season and division title in tow, will play at Houston in the AAC Championship on Saturday.
As part of AutoNation's history of charitable involvement, AutoNation will donate $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in Matakevich's name.
"In our 75th season of existence, this a marvelous platform to get our players and the team of the week series excellent exposure as well as helping AutoNation in its effort to fight cancer and contribute to the educational funds of deserving student-athletes," said FWAA 2015 President Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald. "It is very exciting to be able to help our organization as well as others in this splendid effort."
The FWAA National Defensive Player of the Week and National Team of the Week, both sponsored by AutoNation for the first time this year, have been determined collectively by a group of FWAA officers and the FWAA All-America Committee for several years. The AutoNation FWAA Offensive Player of the Week has been added this season. Nominations are taken from game performance all over the country each week and then those nominations are reviewed by the FWAA, which determines the actual recipients.
About AutoNation, Inc.:
AutoNation is transforming the automotive retail industry through bold leadership. We deliver a peerless automotive retail experience through our customer-focused sales and service processes. Owning and operating 293 new vehicle franchises, which sell 35 new vehicle brands across 15 states, AutoNation is America's largest automotive retailer, with state-of-the-art operations and the ability to leverage economies of scale that benefit the customer. As an indication of our leadership position in our industry, AutoNation is a component of the S&P 500 Index.
About the Football Writers Association of America:
Founded in 1941, the FWAA consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
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