Maynard earns MAC honors

University at Buffalo quarterback Zach Maynard’s record-breaking day against Pittsburgh has earned him Mid- American Conference East Division Offensive Player of Week honors.

The sophomore threw for 400 yards and four touchdowns Saturday for the finest single-game performance in the Bulls’ Football Bowl Subdivison history. UB lost to the Panthers, 54-27.

Maynard’s yardage total broke the record of 350 set by Randall Secky against Ohio in 2002. His four touchdown passes tied the FBS mark held by Drew Willy. Maynard completed 24 of 35 passes against Pitt.

Naaman Roosevelt, who had six catches for a career-high 157 yards, was named Honorable Mention Wide Receiver Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards.

Meanwhile, Pitt sophomore safety Andrew Taglianetti won’t play again this season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Saturday’s win.

Several other local collegiate athletes took home weekly conference awards:

St. Bonaventurefreshmankeeper Kathryn Kerkman was the Atlantic 10 Women’s Soccer Rookie of the Week after registering her first shutout in a 1-0 win at Bowling Green. Kerkman made seven saves.

Canisius women’s soccer senior forward Sylvia Kowalski was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Kowalski has four game-winning goals and four multi-goal games this season.

Medaille senior forward Laura Freeman (Kenmore West) was named the AMCC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week. Freeman had hat tricks against Wells and Geneva.

Niagara men’s soccer senior keeper John Fiutowski was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, while Kari Honomichl of the women’s volleyball team was MAAC Rookie of the Week. Fiutowski made 16 saves and had a .941 save percentage in a pair of games, while Honomichl averaged 4.64 kills per game in three matches at the Crosstown Classic.

Teens sue minor league team

Three teenagers who say they were tossed from a New Jersey ballpark over their refusal to stand during the song “God Bless America” are suing the minor league Newark Bears.

The boys argue that their constitutional rights were violated when they were asked to leave Newark’s Bears& Eagles Riverfront Stadium on June 29 by Bears’ president and co-owner Thomas

Cetnar.

Cetnar acknowledged the boys were asked to leave but declined to say why. He also has denied making some statements attributed to him in the lawsuit.

The boys—Millburn High seniors Bryce Gadye and Nilkumar Patel, both 17, and junior Shaan Mohammad Khan, 16—sued in federal court on Friday seeking unspecified damages.

New Truex crew chief set

Michael Waltrip Racing has hired Pat Tryson as the crew chief for Martin Truex Jr. next season.

Tryson will leave Kurt Busch’s team at the end of this season. He has been with Busch at Penske Racing since 2007 and guided him to four wins and two berths in the Chase for the championship. Busch will start the Chase this weekend seventh in the standings.

Clippers’ Griffin gets OK

No. 1 NBA draft pick Blake Griffin has been cleared to work out with the Los Angeles Clippers after hurting his shoulder during the summer league.

The rookie forward strained his right shoulder July 16 in Las Vegas, causing him to miss a minicamp for USA Basketball.

From News and wire service reports.