The Pac-12 Conference on Monday announced its 2022 football season’s first weekly performance awards.
OFFENSE: Jayden de Laura, So., QB, Arizona (Honolulu, Hawai’i)
De Laura finished with 299 yards and four touchdowns on 29-of-35 passing to help Arizona to a 38-20 win over San Diego State on the road. De Laura’s four touchdown passes were the most by an Arizona QB in their Wildcats debut since Anu Solomon threw four against UNLV in 2014.
De Laura improved to 6-0 in his collegiate career when throwing three-plus touchdowns. He helped the Wildcats score 24 points in the first half, marking their most in a game-opening half since scoring 24 in the first half against Stanford in 2019, and more points than they scored in 10 games in 2021. Arizona’s 18-point victory was its largest margin of victory since beating Northern Arizona 65-41 (24 points) in 2019.
De Laura connected with Jacob Cowing three times for touchdowns and freshman Tetairoa McMillan for the other score. It is the first time an Arizona player has won since J.J. Taylor in Week 4 of 2018. De Laura has won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award twice and was the 2021 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
Also nominated: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA; Caleb Williams, QB, USC; Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State; Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington; Tavion Thomas, RB, Utah, Jaydn Ott, RB, California; Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford; Xazavian Valladay, RB, Arizona State; Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
DEFENSE: Jaydon Grant, RS Jr., DB, Oregon State (West Linn, Ore.)
Grant was among the OSU team leaders with four tackles in the win over Boise State, OSU’s first to open a season since 2015, recording a forced fumble, an interception and two pass breakups. The forced fumble stopped a Boise State drive at the OSU 2-yard line. The Beavers not only kept the Broncos from scoring but they recovered the ball and scored on a 98-yard drive to go up 24-0.
Grant’s interception in the first quarter led to the Beavers’ first score of the game. It was his seventh career pick. Grant is the first OSU player to win the Defensive Player of the Week award since Avery Roberts in Week 5 of last season.
Also nominated: Shane Lee, LB, USC; Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State; Merlin Robertson, LB, Arizona State; R.J. Hubert, S, Utah; Craig Woodson, S, Cal; Jerry Roberts, LB, Arizona; Asa Turner, S, Washington; Kendall Williamson, S, Stanford; Darius Muasau, LB, Hawai’i
