Arizona Wildcats second-year quarterback Noah Fifita was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on Monday after his five-touchdown performance in the UA's triple-overtime loss to No. 9 USC on Saturday.
Fifita completed 25 of 35 passes for 303 yards, five touchdowns and one interception against the Trojans. Four of those touchdown passes were to Jacob Cowing, who set a program record for most touchdown snags in a game.
Fifita's five touchdown passes are the most by an Arizona quarterback against USC.
"I could think of four or five plays that he'd want back out of the 35 pass attempts. ... He should be the (Pac-12) Freshman of the Week," Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch said of Fifita on Monday.
Fisch said added he was "surprised Jacob Cowing wasn't the (Pac-12) Offensive Player of the Week."
"I don't know who it was. But four touchdowns, 10 catches against SC is a pretty big deal, so there's my vote for Jacob Cowing to be Offensive Player of the Week," Fisch said.
Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week following his 275-yard, five-touchdown outing in the Beavers' 52-40 win over Cal. UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu earned both Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week and Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. Colorado kicker Alejandro Mata (special teams) and Oregon State left tackle Joshua Gray (offensive line) rounded out the weekly conference awards.
Fifita is the third member of the Servite High School (Anaheim, California) quartet to earn Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors, joining linebacker Jacob Manu and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (twice), whom both won the award last season.
