From Charlotte 49ers Media Relations | Charlotte49ers.com
Charlotte senior punter Grant Gonya has been named the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance at No. 25 Florida on Saturday. In addition, 49ers defensive end Eyabi Okie-Anoma was named to the AAC’s weekly honor roll.
Gonya, who ranks second in the league with a 45.7 punting average, averaged 48.5 yards on six punts. Gonya hit two punts of at least 50 yards, with a long of 60, and pinned the Gators inside their own 20-yard line twice. His 60-yard punt in the first quarter matched the longest of his 49ers’ career. He also had a 58-yard punt.
A transfer from Division III John Carroll, Gonya is in his first year with the 49ers. He becomes the first player to win an AAC Player of the Week Award for the 49ers.
Okie-Anoma keyed a standout defensive effort against the Gators. The grad transfer from Michigan had a season-high eight tackles with 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack and a QB hurry as Charlotte held #25 Florida to just one touchdown. He had a key strip sack on the first possession of the second half was one of two turnovers forced by the 49ers.