Carey earns Pac-12 player of the week
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Pac-12 Conference offensive player of the week drought over - and it was never in doubt.
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Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey was tabbed by the league Monday for his conference- and school-record breaking performance last week. The sophomore rushed for a Pac-12 all-time best 366 yards and his five touchdowns set a new UA single-game mark.
His 400 all-purpose yards in the 56-31 win over Colorado also was an Arizona record, and the rushing total was the ninth-best single-game mark in FBS history. So, yeah, not a shock Carey put an emphatic stamp on this week's honor.
"He's run that way all year," head coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday at his weekly press conference.
And other player of the week nods have come pouring in, too. The decision-makers over at the College Football Performance Awards named Carey both the national performer and running back of the week.
Prior to Carey's nod, the Wildcats had been honored in the defense and special teams categories this season while members of the nation's sixth-best offense had been blanked. Before his historic game, the 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back, were announced Friday and Carey did not make the cut.
Now, Carey's 1,381 yards is tied for second in the nation in rushing with semifinalist David Fluellen of Toledo - just 55 yards shy of leader Stefphon Jefferson of Nevada. Carey's 18 rushing touchdowns also trails Jefferson and Oregon's Kenjon Barner for the nation's lead.
"It's been a lot of fun playing with him," offensive lineman Trace Biskin said. "He's going to have a great career."
But the fans on Facebook have voted Carey the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Pac-12 player of the week on two occasions this season. Probably a no-brainer that he takes the award for a third time, right?
Click Here to view this Link.Tracy McDannald
GOAZCATS.com Senior Editor