Arizona safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant earns conference honor

The Arizona Wildcats’ defense, much maligned in 2012, got 2013 off on the right foot in a 35-0 victory over Northern Arizona University last Friday.

The shutout, which was the second of the Rich Rodriguez era, was due in no small part to the play of junior safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant, who tallied seven tackles and two interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Bondurant’s effort was good enough to earn him the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honor for Week 1.

Last season, as a sophomore, Bondurant registered 74 total tackles — including 11.5 for a loss — as well as three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

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