HOUSTON – Following Houston’s win over Navy that saw defensive tackle Ed Oliver rack up a career-high 14 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, the Houston native has been named The American’s Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
A Nagurski and Outland Trophy finalist, Oliver led a Houston defense that held Navy to its lowest point total (14), total yards (291) and rushing output (217) of the season in the 24-14 win.
For Oliver, it was his second double-digit tackle game of the year and his seventh game of 2017 with at least five tackles. It was his fourth game of the season with multiple tackles for loss and his 12th career game with the distinction.
Playing the nose spot in a three-man front, Oliver has totaled 69 tackles in 11 games this season, despite missing three quarters of one game and being limited in the next four with a knee injury.
Oliver leads the nation with a career average of 1.54 tackles for loss per game, totaling 37.5 tackles for loss in only 24 games played.
His average of 6.3 tackles per game this season ranks fourth nationally among all defensive linemen. Oliver’s 69 total tackles rank second nationally among defensive tackles.
Oliver’s 14.5 tackles are fourth among defensive tackles while his average of 1.32 tackles for loss per game this season leads all defensive linemen in The American.
The Houston native leads UH in tackles for loss (14.5), sacks (5.5), quarterback hurries (7), forced fumbles (2) and blocked kicks (1). He also has three pass breakups and one fumble recovery on the year.
-- UHCougars.com --