TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State freshman placekicker Brandon Ruiz was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week, according to an announcement by the conference office on Monday.
Ruiz was recognized for his performance in the Sun Devils' 30-10 win at Utah on Saturday in which he had a perfect day making all three of his field goals (47, 40, 30 yards) and all three of his PATs.
Ruiz, who is tied for first in the nation among freshmen in field goals made with 11, was responsible for ASU's first nine points of the game in helping the Sun Devils come away with points on their first three possessions to take a 9-0 lead after one quarter.
In addition to his brilliant accuracy on FGs/PATs, Ruiz also contributed to ASU's defensive effort with his kickoffs as he sent four of them for touchbacks while the other three were returned no further than Utah's own 19-yard line. The Utes' average starting field position on the seven kickoffs was their own 21-yard line.
This is the second time Ruiz has won the award, also earning the honor following ASU's 37-35 win over then-No. 25 Oregon on Sept. 23. Ruiz punctuated his perfect night (3-3 FGs, 4-4 PATs) against the Ducks by connecting on a game-winning 41-yard field goal with 2:33 remaining. Ruiz was also successful on field goals from 29 and 24 yards against the Ducks.
Ruiz is the first Sun Devil to win Pac-12 Player of the Week honors twice as a freshman since former placekicker Zane Gonzalez accomplished the feat in 2013. Fellow placekicker Thomas Weber holds the schools record for most conference player of the week awards as a freshman with three in 2007.
Ruiz was recognized for his performance in the Sun Devils' 30-10 win at Utah on Saturday in which he had a perfect day making all three of his field goals (47, 40, 30 yards) and all three of his PATs.
Ruiz, who is tied for first in the nation among freshmen in field goals made with 11, was responsible for ASU's first nine points of the game in helping the Sun Devils come away with points on their first three possessions to take a 9-0 lead after one quarter.
In addition to his brilliant accuracy on FGs/PATs, Ruiz also contributed to ASU's defensive effort with his kickoffs as he sent four of them for touchbacks while the other three were returned no further than Utah's own 19-yard line. The Utes' average starting field position on the seven kickoffs was their own 21-yard line.
This is the second time Ruiz has won the award, also earning the honor following ASU's 37-35 win over then-No. 25 Oregon on Sept. 23. Ruiz punctuated his perfect night (3-3 FGs, 4-4 PATs) against the Ducks by connecting on a game-winning 41-yard field goal with 2:33 remaining. Ruiz was also successful on field goals from 29 and 24 yards against the Ducks.
Ruiz is the first Sun Devil to win Pac-12 Player of the Week honors twice as a freshman since former placekicker Zane Gonzalez accomplished the feat in 2013. Fellow placekicker Thomas Weber holds the schools record for most conference player of the week awards as a freshman with three in 2007.
