Brandon Ruiz, Sun Devils earn Pac-12 Players of the Week honors
Sep 10, 2018, 12:10 PM | Updated: 12:11 pm
Arizona State place kicker Brandon Ruiz (1) connects for the game-winning field goal against Michigan State as he gets helps from holder Josh Pokraka, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State defeated Michigan State 16-13. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State football place kicker Brandon Ruiz was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 2, and other Sun Devils received nominations for the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards.
Ruiz, a sophomore, hit the game-winning, 28-yard field goal to end the game in the Sun Devils’ 16-13 upset over Michigan State, which entered the week as the No. 15-ranked team in the country. He was also 3-for-3 in field goal attempts in the win, ASU’s second in as many games on the young season.
After the win, the Sun Devils came in at No. 23 in the latest AP Top 25 poll.
The Pac-12 also noted that all four of Ruiz’s kickoffs in the game against Michigan State were touchbacks.
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ASU senior quarterback Manny Wilkins was a nominee for the Offensive Player of the Week award, which was ultimately given to Laviska Shenault Jr., a sophomore wide receiver at Colorado. Wilkins completed 30 of his 48 pass attempts (62.5 percent) for 380 yards, one touchdown and one interception. ASU had 27 first downs (18 on passing), 424 yards of total offense, and converted 6-of-16 third down chances.
On the other side of the ball, Sun Devil freshman linebacker Merlin Robertson was a nominee for Defensive Player of the Week, as Utah’s Chase Hansen took the honors in that category.
Robertson, a true freshman from Gardena, Calif., had nine total tackles and 1.5 sacks that set the Spartans back 12 yards. He also had a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
