Junior cornerback Tavon Young was awarded American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of Week for his breakout performance Thursday night against Vanderbilt.

Young had two interceptions and two tackles in his first game of the 2014 campaign, more interceptions than he had all of last year.

Young’s practice performance heading into the opener earned him the number one jersey, a jersey weekly given out to the toughest guy of the week.

Defensive captain and starting linebacker Tyler Matakeich believes Young’s performance is just an example of he’s capable of.

“[Tavon] has got a nose for the ball, he makes plays,” Matakevich said. “He showed it,  it was a big stage and he just went out there and played his game.”

In addition to Young, starting quarterback P.J. Walker earned honorable mention for his 2 touchdown, 207 yard performance.