Vincenzo D’Amato Named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week

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BERKELEY – Vincenzo D’Amato was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday for his performance Saturday when he was responsible for a career-high 18 points in Cal’s 44-30 loss to Northwestern at Memorial Stadium in the Golden Bears’ season opener.

“I am definitely excited and honored to receive this award,” D’Amato said.

D'Amato tied his career-high with three field goals made by converting on each of his three attempts, threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to holder Jackson Bouza for Cal's first touchdown of the game when the Bears ran a fake field goal play to conclude their first drive, and made all three of his extra-point attempts. The touchdown pass was the first of his career.

“I am thankful for having a great holder, snapper and teammates that support and help me,” D’Amato said. “The only thing I really remember about the touchdown pass is seeing Bouza in between two big Northwestern players. All I could thing about was here we go!”

D’Amato was a first-team preseason All-Pac-12 choice according to Lindy’s and Sporting News in 2013 after earning first-team All-Pac-12 recognition from the league’s coaches last season when he led the conference in field goals made per game (1.33 fgmpg).

D’Amato scored 12 points against Northwestern and remains Cal’s active career leader in scoring with 142 career points.