Football | 11/4/2024 5:01:00 PM

Coming on the heels of its first victory of the 2024 season, and arguably the signature win in the program's newly minted NCAA Division I FCS era, Utah Tech football garnered three United Athletic Conference player of the week awards, and one national player of the week award on Monday.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Reggie Graff was named Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week and UAC co-Offensive Player of the Week. 

Meanwhile sophomore placekicker Ilya Uvaydov was chosen as the UAC Special Teams Player of the Week, and redshirt freshman safety Quincy Lejay was tabbed as UAC's Freshman of the Week.
 
Graff (6-1, 200; St. George, Utah/Dixie HS) became the first Trailblazer in program history, and the first FCS player this season, to throw for, catch, and run for a touchdown in the same game in Utah Tech's 34-21 upset victory over No. 9/11-ranked Central Arkansas this past Saturday afternoon at Greater Zion Stadium.

In all, Graff accounted for all four Trailblazer touchdowns on the day. He threw for 211 yards on 26-of-35 passing and two scores, and ran for a team and career-high 90 yards on 24 carries to go with his rushing touchdown. He also caught a 3-yard TD pass on the back end of Utah Tech's version of "The Philly Special" just before halftime.
 
Lejay (6-0, 195; Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt HS) racked up a team and career-high 12 tackles to go with a fumble recovery and a pass breakup to highlight a strong Trailblazer defensive effort. 

Lejay's first quarter PBU led directly to the first of Utah Tech's two second quarter interceptions. In fact, that interception was the second of the Trailblazers' four picks overall, and one of a school-record tying six total turnovers the Utah Tech defense forced on the afternoon.  

Uvaydov (5-8, 178; Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert HS) was a perfect 6-for-6 on his kicks, including four PATs and a pair of field goals. He connected on field goals of 30 and 24 yards, in supporting the Blazers' first victory of the season.

After playing for 10-straight weeks, Utah Tech will finally get to enjoy a weekend off. Following their bye, the Trailblazers will close out their 2024 home slate by hosting UAC newcomer West Georgia on Senior Day Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff inside Greater Zion Stadium is set for 2 p.m. (MT).