UCF quarterback Keyone Jenkins and Wisconsin edge rusher Sebastian Cheeks earned national weekly honors from the Maxwell Football Club after leading their teams to victories over BYU and USC, respectively.
Jenkins received the Maxwell Award Player of the Week honor, while Cheeks was named Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week.
Jenkins Leads UCF’s Upset of No. 2 BYU
Jenkins threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns without an interception as unranked UCF defeated No. 2 BYU in double overtime, according to the club’s announcement.
He also scored a rushing touchdown, accounting for four total touchdowns in the Knights’ upset victory.
His combination of passing production and a contribution on the ground helped UCF overcome one of the nation’s highest-ranked teams and earned him the club’s overall weekly performance award.
Cheeks Powers Wisconsin Defense Against USC
Wisconsin’s Sebastian Cheeks recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks, along with six quarterback pressures and 3.5 tackles for loss, in the Badgers’ 24–7 victory over USC, according to the release.
The club also cited a 17 percent pass-rush win rate, referencing Pro Football Focus.
Cheeks helped Wisconsin hold USC to its lowest scoring total of the Lincoln Riley era, according to the announcement. His disruption in the backfield earned him the club’s weekly defensive honor.
Weekly Awards Recognize Standout Performances
The Maxwell Football Club presents two weekly college awards throughout the 2026 season.
The Maxwell Award Player of the Week recognizes overall performance on offense, defense, or special teams. The Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week honors outstanding defensive play.
Players do not need to appear on either award’s watch list to receive weekly recognition. These honors are separate from the season-ending national awards.
Founded in 1935, the Maxwell Football Club recognizes achievement at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels while supporting academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership.
Source: Maxwell Football Club weekly awards announcement supplied to Habari Entertainment. Statistics reflect the performances described in the release.
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