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Gary Nova has been a key part of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' undefeated season, and he earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors for his four-touchdown performance Saturday against the Temple Owls.
Nova's four touchdowns accounted for all the team's offensive scores, with the other touchdown in the team's 35-10 victory coming off a fumble return. The true sophomore connected on 17 of his 27 passes for 232 yards while throwing only one interception. It's his second such honor of the year, taking the conference trophy after his Week 4 performance against Arkansas as well.
Nova has shown great improvement in his second year after platooning with Chas Dodd as a true freshman last season: his completion percentage has improved from 51.1 percent to 61.2 percent, and he's thrown more touchdowns - 15, as opposed to only nine last year - and one-third as many interceptions - three, as opposed to nine last season.
Louisville defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin won defensive player of the week, while Syracuse kicker Ross Trautman won the special teams honor.