(BCSNN) — The Big 12 Conference unveiled its first set of weekly football awards for the 2026 season on Monday, recognizing standout performances from Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Iowa State and West Virginia. Colorado and BYU each earned multiple honors after impressive opening‑week victories.
Arizona State quarterback Sam Boley delivered one of the most explosive debuts in league history, completing 77.8% of his passes for 387 yards and six touchdowns as the Sun Devils rolled to 10 total touchdowns. Boley became the first ASU quarterback since Andrew Walter in 2004 to throw six touchdown passes in a game and set the program record for passing yards in a debut. His efficiency helped three Sun Devil receivers eclipse 100 yards.
West Virginia running back Jaden Cook made an immediate impact in his Mountaineer debut, rushing for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries in a win over Coastal Carolina. His first career carry went for 72 yards — the longest opening rush by a WVU player — and he forced nine missed tackles, tying for the fourth‑most nationally in Week 1.
Colorado linebacker Lester Jr. spearheaded the Buffaloes’ defensive effort in a gritty 14–13 win at Georgia Tech, recording three sacks in just 12 pass‑rush snaps. All three sacks forced punts, and he added a shared tackle for loss on a key third‑down stop in the fourth quarter.
Iowa State defensive end Terrell matched Lester’s three‑sack performance in the Cyclones’ 38–10 win over Southeast Missouri State, tying for the third‑most sacks in a single game in program history. He also forced a fumble and added a quarterback hurry, becoming the first Cyclone since Rashawn Parker in 2006 to record three sacks in his debut.
Colorado’s special teams also earned recognition as Carter blocked a field goal to preserve the Buffaloes’ one‑point win. Earlier, he recovered a fumble deep in Georgia Tech territory and made two key tackles on the Yellow Jackets’ opening drive.
BYU sophomore DeVries delivered one of the week’s most electric special‑teams plays, returning the second‑half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in No. 14 BYU’s dominant win over Utah Tech. He added 73 punt‑return yards, ranking third nationally in punt‑return average.
Cougars freshman Glasker shined in his collegiate debut, scoring three touchdowns — two receiving and one rushing — while totaling 65 receiving yards and 16 rushing yards. He became the first BYU freshman with three or more touchdowns in a game since Jamaal Williams in 2012, continuing the program’s run of freshman standouts after quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s seven freshman awards last season.
Cincinnati’s offensive line, known collectively as the “Pancake Boys,” powered the Bearcats’ 34–15 win over Boston College, paving the way for 254 rushing yards on 46 carries. The unit helped running back Gi’Bran Payne reach a career‑high 108 yards and quarterback JC French IV score three rushing touchdowns. Five Bearcats rushed for at least 20 yards as Cincinnati secured its 25th straight home opener victory.
Colorado’s defensive front earned additional recognition for holding Georgia Tech to 51 rushing yards on 30 carries, far below the Yellow Jackets’ 197.5‑yard average from last season. The Buffaloes generated 11 quarterback pressures and three sacks, keeping Georgia Tech out of the end zone in the narrow road win.
