UCLA LB Eric Kendricks Named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week

The Pac-12 Conference has announced its players of the week for Week 1 and UCLA LB Eric Kendricks was selected as the Pac-12 Defensive player of the week.

Kendricks, a senior from Fresno, totaled a game-high 16 tackles, one shy of his career high in UCLA's 28-20 win at Virginia. He added a forced fumble which led to a 75-yard scoring return for a touchdown and, on Virginia's next possession, an interception which he returned 37-yards for a touchdown and resulted in the Bruins taking a 21-3 lead. The turnovers were part of three turnover-returns in the second quarter producing a trio of defensive touchdowns for the first time for UCLA since a 1986 game at Oregon State. Kendricks recorded seven tackles during the second quarter.

u$c QB Cody Kessler and Utah's Kaelin Clay were the Pac-12 Offensive and Special Teams players of the week, respectively.

Two other Bruins were nominated for honors this week. Jordan Payton was nominated for Offensive POTW. He had 8 receptions for 98 yards on Saturday while Ismael Adams was nominated for Special Teams POTW for his 78 return yards on 3 kickoffs and 2 punts.