Meyer, Benton and Whittaker Earn AFL Weekly Honors

Spokane Shock QB ERIK MEYER has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Iowa Barnstormers DB TER'RAN BENTON has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and San Jose SaberCats WR HUEY WHITTAKER has been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 1 of the 2013 NET10 Wireless Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week. New Orleans VooDoo DB EDDIE MOTEN earned the Cutters Catch of the Week, while Arizona Rattlers DL MARCUS PITTMAN was awarded the AFL Highlight of the Week.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Meyer (6-2, 215, Eastern Washington) accounted for nine total touchdowns in Spokane's 67-41 victory over the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 1. Meyer completed 32-of-42 passes for 284 yards and eight touchdowns, finishing the day with a 133.3 quarterback rating. He also rushed twice for 16 yards and a score.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Benton (6-0, 205, Iowa State) recovered a live ball off the net on a Barnstormers' kickoff and took it in for a five-yard touchdown in Iowa's 63-41 win over the Chicago Rush in Week 1. He also snagged an interception in the game.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK

Whittaker (6-5, 225, South Florida) caught eight passes for 89 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver in San Jose's 47-42 victory over the San Antonio Talons in Week 1. He also starred on the defensive side of the ball, recording three tackles, one forced fumble and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Moten (5-10, 185, Texas A&M-Kingsville) recorded a game-winning interception in the end zone to seal New Orleans' 51-45 overtime victory against the Orlando Predators in Week 1. Moten finished the game with 4.5 tackles. Moten will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Pittman (6-5, 290, Troy) recovered two fumbles in Arizona's 66-52 victory over the Philadelphia Soul in Week 1, including one that resulted in a 44-yard return for a touchdown. With 14:14 left in regulation, Pittman scooped up a Derrick Ross fumble and took it nearly the length of the field for a score.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included : Arizona's Nick Davila, Iowa's J.J. Raterink, Orlando's Jason Geathers, Spokane's Adron Tennell, Tampa Bay's Adrian McPherson and Utah's Mario Urrutia.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included : Arizona's Virgil Gray, Jacksonville's Tracy Belton, New Orleans' Demarcus Robinson, San Antonio's Fred Shaw, Spokane's James Ruffin and Utah's Maurice Leggett.

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included : Chicago's Reggie Gray, Cleveland's Thyron Lewis, Orlando's Prechae Rodriguez, Philadelphia's Tiger Jones, Tampa Bay's Greg Ellingson and Utah's Brandon Thompkins.

The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include San Jose SaberCats WR HUEY WHITTAKER, Spokane Shock QB ERIK MEYER and Tampa Bay Storm QB ADRIAN McPHERSON. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 27. The winner will be announced on Thursday, March 28.