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2017 California Golden Bears football team

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2017 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bears were led by first-year head coach Justin Wilcox and played their home games at California Memorial Stadium. The Bears went 5–7, including non-conference wins over North Carolina and Ole Miss, and three losses by three points or fewer.[1] The season highlight was the Bears' 37–3 defeat of then-No. 8 Washington State, which marked the first time Cal had beaten a top ten opponent since its defeat of No. 3 USC in 2003.[2]

ConferencePac-12 Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Record5–7 (2–7 Pac-12)
Headcoach
Quick facts California Golden Bears football, Conference ...
2017 California Golden Bears football
ConferencePac-12 Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Record5–7 (2–7 Pac-12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBeau Baldwin (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorTim DeRuyter (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Captain
(14)
  • *Devante Downs (9)
  • *James Looney (8)
  • *Kanawai Noa (7)
  • *Patrick Laird (7)
  • *Matt Anderson (1)
  • *Ross Bowers (1)
  • *Ashtyn Davis (1)
  • *Jordan Veasy (1)
  • *Raymond Davison (1)
  • *Jaylinn Hawkins (1)
  • *Patrick Mekari (1)
  • *Tony Mekari (1)
  • *Vic Wharton III (1)
  • *Addison Ooms (1)
Home stadiumCalifornia Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 2016
2018 →
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More information Conf., Overall ...
2017 Pac-12 Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
North Division
No. 20 Stanford xy 7–2  9–5 
No. 16 Washington x 7–2  10–3 
Washington State 6–3  9–4 
Oregon 4–5  7–6 
California 2–7  5–7 
Oregon State 0–9  1–11 
South Division
No. 12 USC xy$ 8–1  11–3 
Arizona State 6–3  7–6 
Arizona 5–4  7–6 
UCLA 4–5  6–7 
Utah 3–6  7–6 
Colorado 2–7  5–7 
Championship: USC 31, Stanford 28
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll
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Recruiting

Position key

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits

The Golden Bears signed a total of 14 recruits.

More information College recruiting, Name ...
College recruiting (2017)
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Gabriel Cherry
DE		 Bakersfield, California Centennial HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Feb 13, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Taariq Johnson
WR		 Buena Park, California Buena Park HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 213 lb (97 kg) Apr 3, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Jeremiah Hawkins
WR		 Buena Park, California Buena Park HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) May 6, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Chase Garbers
QB		 Newport Beach, California Corona del Mar HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Jun 26, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Alex Funches
DE		 Denton, Texas Trinity Valley Community College 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jul 6, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Biaggo Ali Walsh
RB		 Las Vegas, Nevada Bishop Gorman HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 186 lb (84 kg) Aug 14, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Michael Saffell
C		 Huntington Beach, California Edison HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 293 lb (133 kg) Oct 5, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 2/5 stars   
Elijah Hicks
CB		 La Mirada, California La Mirada HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jan 10, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Poutasi Poutasi
OG		 Las Vegas, Nevada Desert Pines HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Jan 28, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Daniel Scott
S		 La Cañada Flintridge, California St. Francis HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jan 29, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals:    247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN:    
Kyle Harmon
LB		 Oakley, California Freedom HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 218 lb (99 kg) Jan 29, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN:    
Gavin Reinwald
WR		 Elk Grove, California Elk Grove HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jan 29, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 2/5 stars   ESPN:    
Branden Smith
CB		 Lancaster, California Paraclete HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Feb 1, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Ben Moos
TE		 Pullman, Washington Pullman HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Feb 1, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Overall recruit ranking:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "California Football Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  • "2017 California Football Commits". Scout. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  • "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
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Personnel

Coaching staff

More information Name, Position ...
NamePositionSeasons at CalBefore Cal
Justin WilcoxHead coach1st as head coach
(LB coach, 2003–2005)		Wisconsin – Defensive coordinator (2016)
Beau BaldwinAssistant head coach / offensive coordinator / running backs coach1st yearEastern Washington – Head coach (2008–16)
Tim DeRuyterDefensive coordinator / inside linebackers coach1st yearFresno State – Head coach (2012–16)
Gerald AlexanderDefensive backs coach1st yearMontana State – Defensive backs coach (2016)
Jerry AzzinaroDefensive line coach1st yearSan Francisco 49ers – Defensive line coach (2016)
Steve GreatwoodOffensive line coach1st yearOregon – Offensive line / defensive line coach (2000–16)
Marques TuiasosopoQuarterbacks coach / Passing Game Coordinator / recruiting coordinator1st yearUCLA – Quarterbacks coach / passing game coordinator (2016)
Nicholas EdwardsWide receivers coach1st yearEastern Washington – Wide receivers coach (2014–16)
Charlie RagleSpecial teams coordinator / tight ends coach1st yearArizona – Special teams coordinator (2013–17)
Tony TuiotiOutside linebackers coach1st yearCleveland Browns – Quality Control, Defense (2014–15)
Desmond BishopQuality Control, Defense1st as asst. coach
(LB, 2005–2006)		Washington Redskins – Linebacker (2016)
Erik MeyerQuality Control, Offensive1st yearLa Mirada HS (CA) – Quarterbacks coach (2008–16)
Reference: [3]
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Roster

2017 California Golden Bears Football

Quarterback

Running back

  •  4 Zion Echols – Redshirt freshman (5'8, 180)
  •  5 Tre Watson – senior (5'11, 205)
  • 22 Derrick Clark – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 210)
  • 23 Vic Enwere – senior (6'0, 245)
  • 26 Biaggo Ali Walsh – freshman (5'10, 190)
  • 28 Patrick Laird – Redshirt junior (6'0, 200)
  • 30 Billy McCrary III – junior (5'11, 210)
  • 34 Fabiano Hale – Redshirt senior (6'0, 225)

Wide receiver

  •  1 Melquise Stovall – sophomore (5'9, 185)
  •  2 Jordan Duncan – sophomore (6'1, 210)
  •  6 Jeremiah Hawkins – freshman (5'8, 170)
  •  8 Demetris Robertson – sophomore (6'0, 185)
  •  9 Kanawai Noa – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 180)
  • 13 Grayson Bankhead – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 170)
  • 15 Jordan Veasy – Redshirt senior (6'3, 225)
  • 17 Vic Wharton III – Redshirt junior (5'11, 210)
  • 19 Brandon Singleton – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 170)
  • 24 Matt Rockett – Redshirt sophomore (5'9, 195)
  • 31 Chas Peterson – Redshirt senior (5'11, 185)
  • 38 Alex Netherda – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 205)
  • 88 Taariq Johnson – freshman (6'2, 220)

Tight end

  • 11 Raymond Hudson – Redshirt senior (6'3, 245)
  • 16 Collin Moore – freshman (6'4, 225)
  • 80 Jake Ashton – Redshirt junior (6'3, 235)
  • 83 Ben Moos – freshman (6'4, 235)
  • 84 Gavin Reinwald – freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 87 Kyle Wells – Redshirt junior (6'3, 245)
  • 89 Matt Laris – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 235)
  • 99 Malik McMorris – junior (5'11, 300) (+FB)

Punter

  • 37 Steven Coutts – junior (6'4, 210)
  • 42 Dylan Klumph – Redshirt junior (6'2, 235)
  

Offensive lineman

  • 53 Michael Saffell – freshman (6'2, 295)
  • 54 Gentle Williams – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 295)
  • 57 Addison Ooms – Redshirt junior (6'4, 300)
  • 58 Semisi Uluave – junior (6'5, 345)
  • 60 Daniel Juarez – freshman (6'5, 290)
  • 61 Valentino Daltoso – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 310)
  • 65 Tanner Prenovost – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 265)
  • 70 Poutasi Poutasi – freshman (6'4, 305)
  • 71 Jake Curhan – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 325)
  • 72 Kamryn Bennett – Redshirt junior (6'3, 310)
  • 74 Ryan Gibson – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 285)
  • 76 Henry Bazakas – Redshirt sophomore (6'6, 300)
  • 77 J.D. Hinnant – Redshirt senior (6'4, 300)
  • 79 Patrick Mekari – junior (6'4, 300)

Defensive end

  •  9 James Looney – Redshirt senior (6'3, 280)
  • 44 Zeandae Johnson – Redshirt sophomore (6'4, 280)
  • 90 Rusty Becker – Redshirt senior (6'4, 280)
  • 91 Chinedu Udeogu – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 250)
  • 92 Gabe Cherry – freshman (6'5, 260)
  • 96 Tevin Paul – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 270)

Nose guard

  • 50 Hunter Abel – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 275)
  • 93 Luc Bequette – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 290)
  • 97 Tony Mekari – Redshirt senior (6'1, 295)
  • 98 Chris Palmer – Redshirt junior (6'2, 320)

Outside Linebacker

  • 13 Russell Ude – Redshirt sophomore (6'3, 245)
  • 19 Cameron Goode – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 225)
  • 33 Noah Westerfield – senior (6'3, 250)
  • 36 Alex Funches – junior (6'2, 230)
  • 46 Drew Bryant – Redshirt junior (6'2, 220)
  • 51 Cameron Saffle – junior (6'3, 250)
  • 89 Evan Weaver – sophomore (6'3, 250)
  • 94 Trevor Howard – Redshirt sophomore (6'3, 250)

Placekicker

  •  9 Matt Anderson – Redshirt senior (6'0, 195)
  • 41 Gabe Siemieniec – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 220)
  • 49 Matt Abramo – Redshirt sophomore (6'3, 190)
  

Inside Linebacker

  •  1 Devante Downs – senior (6'3, 245)
  • 11 Hamilton Anoa'i – senior (6'2, 255)
  • 31 Raymond Davison – Redshirt senior (6'2, 235)
  • 40 David Ortega Jr. – Redshirt junior (5'9, 210)
  • 41 Gerran Brown – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 43 Kyle Harmon – freshman (6'1, 240) (+OLB)
  • 55 Aisea Tongilava – Redshirt junior (6'1, 220)
  • 59 Jordan Kunaszyk – Redshirt junior (6'3, 235)

Cornerback

  •  2 Darius Allensworth – Redshirt senior (5'11, 195)
  •  3 Elijah Hicks – freshman (5'11, 180)
  •  8 Nygel Edmonds – Redshirt freshman (5'11, 190)
  • 16 Chibuzo Nwokocha – Redshirt junior (6'1, 185)
  • 18 Marloshawn Franklin Jr. – senior (5'11, 190)
  • 20 Joshua Drayden – sophomore (5'9, 185)
  • 22 Traveon Beck – sophomore (5'9, 160)
  • 24 Camryn Bynum – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 180)
  • 27 Ashtyn Davis – Redshirt sophomore (6'1, 195)

Defensive back

  • 10 Daniel Scott – freshman (6'2, 200)
  • 45 Branden Smith – freshman (5'10, 170)

Safety

  •  4 Derron Brown – Redshirt junior (6'1, 210)
  •  5 Trey Turner – junior (6'1, 190)
  •  6 Jaylinn Hawkins – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 200)
  • 17 Luke Rubenzer – senior (5'11, 200)
  • 21 Evan Rambo – Redshirt sophomore (6'4, 210)
  • 23 Malik Psalms – Redshirt sophomore (6'1, 185)
  • 28 Quentin Tartabull – Redshirt junior (5'11, 205)
  • 29 Bryce Turner – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 175)
  • 32 Jacob Anderson – Redshirt senior (5'11, 195)
  • 34 De'Zhon Grace – Redshirt senior (5'9, 180)
  • 39 Ricky Walker III – Redshirt freshman (5'11, 200)

Long snapper

  • 45 Grant Gluhaich – Redshirt sophomore (5'11, 200)
  • 46 Garrett Frum – senior (6'1, 230)
  • 47 Alonso Vera – junior (5'11, 225)

Fullback

  • 40 Justin Norbeck – Redshirt junior (6'0, 235)
Source and player details:

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 29:20 a.m.at North Carolina*
ACCNW 35–3049,500
September 92:00 p.m.No. 25 (FCS) Weber State*
P12NW 33–2036,209
September 167:30 p.m.Ole Miss*
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
ESPNW 27–1637,125
September 2312:30 p.m.No. 5 USC
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA (Joe Roth Memorial Game)
ABCL 20–3046,747
September 307:30 p.m.at Oregon
FS1L 24–4555,707
October 77:45 p.m.at No. 6 Washington
ESPNL 7–3867,429
October 137:30 p.m.No. 8 Washington State
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
ESPNW 37–326,244
October 214:00 p.m.Arizonadagger
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
P12NL 44–45 2OT37,525
October 2811:00 a.m.at Colorado
P12NL 28–4447,216
November 42:00 p.m.Oregon State
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
P12NW 37–2335,440
November 185:00 p.m.at No. 20 Stanford
FOXL 14–1751,424
November 247:30 p.m.at UCLA
FS1L 27–3050,287
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Pacific time
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[4]

Game summaries

at North Carolina

See also: 2017 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 7 7 14 35
Tar Heels 7 10 7 6 30
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Weber State

See also: 2017 Weber State Wildcats football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
No. 25 (FCS) Wildcats 10 10 0 0 20
Golden Bears 7 10 0 16 33
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Ole Miss

See also: 2017 Ole Miss Rebels football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Rebels 10 6 0 0 16
Golden Bears 7 0 10 10 27
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USC

See also: 2017 USC Trojans football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
No. 5 Trojans 3 10 0 17 30
Golden Bears 3 10 0 7 20
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at Oregon

See also: 2017 Oregon Ducks football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 0 7 7 10 24
Ducks 17 0 7 21 45
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at Washington

See also: 2017 Washington Huskies football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 0 0 7 0 7
No. 6 Huskies 7 17 7 7 38
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Washington State

See also: 2017 Washington State Cougars football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
No. 8 Cougars 0 3 0 0 3
Golden Bears 10 7 3 17 37
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  • The game marked Cal's first win against a top ten opponent since 2003.[5]
  • The three points allowed by the Bears defense are the fewest since holding UC Davis to three points in 2010.
  • In the fourth quarter, quarterback Ross Bowers executed a flip into the end zone to put the Bears up 27-3.[6]

Arizona

See also: 2017 Arizona Wildcats football team
More information OT, 2OT ...
1 2 3 4OT2OT Total
Wildcats 14 7 7 377 45
Golden Bears 7 0 14 1076 44
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at Colorado

See also: 2017 Colorado Buffaloes football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 7 0 14 28
Buffaloes 14 13 0 17 44
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Oregon State

See also: 2017 Oregon State Beavers football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Beavers 7 6 7 3 23
Golden Bears 14 6 10 7 37
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  • The game was the sixth time in program history that Cal had zero punts in a game. It was the first time that Cal had zero punts in a game since playing USC in 2004.[7]
  • Matt Anderson broke the Cal record for career scoring, reaching 297 points after kicking three field goals and four extra points in the game. He broke the previous record of 288 points held by Doug Brien since 1993. Anderson would finish the season with an all-time record of 316 points.
  • Patrick Laird's 214 yards rushing ranks tenth in program history for rushing yards in a single game.

at Stanford

See also: 2017 Stanford Cardinal football team, Big Game (American football), and Stanford Axe
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 3 3 8 0 14
No. 22 Cardinal 3 7 7 0 17
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at UCLA

See also: 2017 UCLA Bruins football team and California–UCLA football rivalry
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 3 6 8 10 27
Bruins 7 10 7 6 30
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  • Matt Anderson broke the Cal record for career field goals, reaching 60 after kicking four field goals in the game. He broke the previous record of 56 field goals held by Doug Brien since 1993.[8]
  • Ross Bowers reached 3,000 passing yards for the season and became the seventh player in Cal history to reach the milestone.
  • Patrick Laird reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season and became the sixteenth player in Cal history to reach the milestone.

Awards and honors

Coaches

Athlon Sports' National Defensive Coordinator of the Week, vs. Washington State[9]

Offense

Manning Award Stars of the Week, vs. North Carolina[10]
Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist[11]
First-team Pac-12 All-Academic[12]
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[13]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[14]
  • Malik McMorris (FB)
SB Nation Piesman Trophy finalist[15]
  • Kanawai Noa (WR)
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award watchlist[16]
  • Vic Wharton III (WR)
Biletnikoff Award watchlist[17]
Second-team Pac-12 All-Academic[12]
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[13]
  • Tony Mekari (G)
Second-team Pac-12 All-Academic[12]

Defense

All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[13]
Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist[18]
Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist[18]
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[13]
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, at North Carolina[18]
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week(2), vs. Ole Miss[18]
College Sports Madness National Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Ole Miss[19]
College Sports Madness Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Ole Miss[19]
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[20]
Rose Bowl: Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[20]
Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[20]
College Sports Madness Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[20]
  • Luke Rubenzer (S)
First-team Pac-12 All-Academic[12]

Special teams

  • Matt Anderson (PK)
Pac-12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year[21]
Campbell Trophy semifinalist [22]
Lou Groza Award pre-season watchlist[22]
Senior CLASS Award candidate[22]
Second-team Pac-12 All-Academic[12]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[14]

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks