Pac-12 football players of the week announced

SAN FRANCISCO – Quarterback Luke Falk of WASHINGTON STATE, linebacker Gionni Paul of UTAH and tight end Raymond Hudson of CALIFORNIA have been named offensive, defensive and special teams Pac-12 Players of the Week in football.

Falk, a redshirt sophomore quarterback from Logan, Utah, threw for 497 yards, completing 36-of-55 passes and five touchdowns to four different receivers with one interception in Washington State’s come-from-behind, 38-24 win over Arizona State. After a slow first half, Luke completed 20-of-27 passes for 349 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the second half. All four touchdown drives in the second half were more than 70-yard drives. In the fourth quarter alone, Falk completed 11-of-26 passing for 238 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Cougars to their third come-from-behind win of the season as they trailed 21-17 entering the final quarter. Falk’s passing yardage was the third-highest of a Pac-12 quarterback this season, and he owns the top two marks as well. This is Falk’s third Conference weekly honor of the season, also earning the accolade on Sept. 14 and Oct. 26.

Paul, a senior linebacker from Winter Haven, Fla., was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week after accounting for two of Utah’s four takeaways in the Ute’s 34-23 victory over Washington. Paul returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown and returned an interception 27 yards to the Washington 8-yard line, ultimately setting up a touchdown. He had nine total tackles and a game-high two sacks, including a key sack in the third quarter on 3rd-and-6 at the Utah 30-yard line. His sack forced the Huskies who were then trailing by four points to punt. This is Paul’s second Pac-12 weekly honor this season, previously winning the award on Sept. 14.

Hudson, a sophomore tight end from Pleasanton, Calif., blocked one punt and recovered another blocked punt in the 44-28 loss to Oregon. Both punt blocks led to 14 points for the Golden Bears. Hudson’s first blocked point on the first possession of the game gave Cal a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Hamilton Anoa’i blocked the second punt on Oregon’s first drive of the third quarter, with Hudson recovering the blocked punt and advanced it two yards. The recovery led to a Cal touchdown and cut the Oregon margin, 31-21. The pair of blocked punts is tied for the most in the nation and the most in the Conference in 2015. It was the first time the Golden Bears have blocked two punts in a game since 2003.

Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Tyler Johnston, ORE; Christian McCaffrey, STAN; Thomas Duarte, UCLA; Ronald Jones, II, USC; Devontae Booker, UTAH; Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: DeForest Buckner, ORE; Solomon Thomas, STAN; Takkarist McKinley, UCLA; Antwaun Woods, USC; Parker Henry, WSU; Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Ka’imi Fairbairn, UCLA