For the second time this season, UCF linebacker Terrance Plummer has been named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

The junior from Orange Park, Fla. racked up five tackles, two interceptions, his first career sack and two pass break-ups in UCF’s 24-17 victory at Memphis.

The two interceptions tied a school record, a feat that has now been accomplished 22 times since the program’s inception in 1979. That last Knight to do it was Sha’reff Rashad in 2008. Both of Plummer’s interceptions thwarted potential Memphis scores, with his second preserving UCF’s victory.

After UCF shocked Memphis late and took a 24-17 lead, the Tigers drove deep into UCF territory with less than one minute remaining. Reaching the UCF 6-yard line, Memphis pulled out a trick play as running back Brandon Hayes tossed a pass into the end zone. But UCF safety Clayton Geathers tipped it and Plummer secured the interception, sealing the victory.

With less than one minute left in the first half and UCF trailing 7-3, Memphis was in scoring position at the UCF 8-yard line. Plummer again snagged a tipped ball with a diving grab for his first interception of the day, resulting in a touchback and failed opportunity for Memphis to take a two-possession lead at the break.

In the second quarter with Memphis facing 2nd-and-10, Plummer brought down Memphis QB Paxton Lynch for a 7-yard sack, the first of his career. It forced a 3rd-and-long where Memphis threw an incomplete pass and was forced to punt.

Plummer has led UCF in tackles in four games this year, and has a team-high 47 tackles overall with 5.0 for loss. He was also named American Athletic Conference Player of the Week after UCF’s week one victory over Akron. For his efforts against Memphis last week, Plummer was also named Honorable Mention Linebacker of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards.

In addition to Plummer’s honor, freshman punter Caleb Houston was named to the conference’s weekly honor roll for other top performances. With plenty of family and friends in the stadium at Memphis, the Cleveland, Tenn. native had the best game of his young career.

Houston booted six punts for 313 yards and a 52.2-yard average, including a long of 71 yards. His 52.2 average was the fourth-highest in a single game at UCF, while his 71-yard effort tied for the third-longest punt in school history. The last 70-yard punt by a Knight came in 2009 by Blake Clingan (70 yards).

Houston’s performance helped limit Memphis to a starting field position of its own 23 for the game. Off his six punts, Memphis started drives on its own 33, 15, 20, 10, 38 and 24. For the season, Houston has a 45.2-yard average. If he can maintain that, it would be the second-highest ever by a UCF punter in a single season. Houston was also named Honorable Mention Punter of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards.


Information provided by UCFAthletics.com.