Rhys Byrns’ performance last week did not go unnoticed.
The University of Louisiana punter was named the Sun Belt Conference’s Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Byrns was stellar in UL’s 17-7 defeat to Appalachian State on Wednesday night at Cajun Field.
Byrns punted the ball six times in the contest for 296 yards, averaging 49.3 yards per punt, and had a career-high four inside the 20-yard line, and three of those inside the 5-yard line.
Appalchian State’s Akeem Davis-Gaither meanwhile was named the SBC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a team-high 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss against UL. Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas was named the SBC Offensive Player of the Week after passing for 147 yards, rushing for 63 and two touchdowns.
The 6-foot, 182-pound Australian has 17 punts for 796 yards, 46.82 average, with eight inside the 20-yard line, and five of 50-plus yards or more. During the 2018 season, Byrns averaged 40.1 yards per punt, including 21 punts inside the 20-yard line, for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Byrns is the third Ragin’ Cajun player to earn Sun Belt weekly honors this season. Running back Elijah Mitchell was named SBC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 23 and linebacker Jacques Boudreaux was tabbed as SBC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 30.
Byrns is also becomes the first Ragin’ Cajun specialist to be selected as SBC Special Teams Player of the Week since Kyle Pfau accomplished the feat on Oct. 29, 2018.
UL (4-2, 1-1 SBC) travels to Jonesboro, Arkansas on Thursday to take on rival Arkansas State (3-3, 1-1 SBC). Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.