Cal LB Cade Uluave Wins Two Pac-12 Player of the Week Awards
Cal inside linebacker Cade Uluave had a big game in the Bears' 42-39 victory over Washington State, and it earned him two Pac-12 player of the week honors. He was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week and freshman of the week.
Also, Cal's Brian Driscoll was named Pac-12 offensive player of the week.
Uluave is the first Cal player to win either of the the Pac-12's weekly defensive or freshman award this season and first Golden Bear to win both in the same week since the freshman award was created prior to the 2019 season.
He turned the game in Cal's favor on the seventh play of the game, when he caused a fumble by Washington State quarterback Cam Ward, recovered the fumble and returned it for a Cal touchdown for a 7-0 Bears lead.
Here's a list of Uluave's accomplishments in that game
--Two fumble recoveries, including one that he stripped and returned 51 yards for a touchdown and the game's first score. Had another fumble recovery on the Cougars' 19-yard line that led to a Cal touchdown
-- An interception at Cal's 3-yard line on the game's final play to secure a 42-39 win over Washington State.
-- Nine tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss (-4 yards)
Uluave took over a starting job as an inside linebacker after Jackson Sirmon was lost for the season with a biceps injury. Here are Uluave's season numbers:
-- 45 tackles on the season with at least nine in each of the last four contests, as well as a team-high 4.5 tackles for loss (-37 yards), 1.0 sack (-23 yards), one interception that he returned 4 yards, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries that he has returned 51 yards and two forced fumbles
--Has played in all 10 games and started each of the last three, while all of his stats other than participation have come over the last five contests
Uluave is the first Cal player to win Defensive Player of the Week since linebacker Kuony Deng in December 2020. Uluave is the first Cal player to earn Freshman of the Week since RB Jaydn Ott won it three times last year.
Here is a list of Driscoll's accomplishments:
-- He became the first Cal offensive lineman in recorded history dating back to 1992 (according to Stats, Inc.) to record a touchdown when he recovered a fumble at the goal line and fell into the end zone in the second quarter against Washington State
– He helped pave the way for running back Jaydn Ott, who rushed for 167 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries against Washington State and is the first Cal player to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a single season since Patrick Laird in 2017
– He has blocked for a rushing offense that ranks fourth in the Pac-12 and 25th nationally with an average of 189.0 yards per game that is Cal's best since 2005– Has started each of Cal's 10 games in 2023 as well as a team-high-tying 22 in a row overall.
Cover photo is of Cade Uluave
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