On Monday afternoon, the Big 12 Conference released the first weekly awards of the season. With the performance turned in against the Florida Atlantic Owls, Curtis Bolton claimed the title of Defensive Player of the Week. It’s likely the first of many for the Oklahoma Sooners as a program this year.
✔️ First career start
✔️ OU's first blocked punt recovered for a TD since 2002
✔️ @CB_Savage18 the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week🔗 https://t.co/TNRbGlmvL0 pic.twitter.com/YkibKR3aTn
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) September 3, 2018
Earning the first start of his career over the favorite — Caleb Kelly, at the weakside linebacker position — Bolton made the most of the opportunity. Throughout the duration of the game, the linebacker recorded six tackles toppling the numbers from the entirety of the previous campaign. Clearly ready after missing a year, Bolton tacked on the first touchdown of his career as well.
Lining up with the return team, a blocked punt found its way into the endzone. Crossing the goal line Bolton made the wise decision to fall on the ball. Securing the loose ball, the recovery put the Oklahoma Sooners up 14-0 early in the contest. The occasion marked the first touchdown off a blocked punt since 2002.