Big East honors UConn's Smallwood, Williams

Two UConn football players - linebacker Yawin Smallwood and return specialist Nick Williams received weekly Big East Conference awards on Saturday.

Smallwood, a sophomore, was named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks while Williams, a senior was named Special Teams Player of the Week for their efforts in Saturday's 24-21 victory over Maryland in College Park, Md.

Smallwood had 14 tackles against the Terps, including 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble that led to a Chad Christen field goal. Smallwood leads the nation in tackles for loss (3.0 per game) and is eighth in sacks (1.3 per game).

Williams had 112 all-purpose yards against Maryland and returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, the first points of the game. It was his first career punt return for a touchdown.

The Huskies (2-1) are back on the road Saturday when they play Western Michigan in Kalamazoo at 2 p.m.

- Day Staff Reports