Three Cal players – inside linebacker Cade Uluave, running back Jaydn Ott and outside linebacker David Reese -- were named Pac-12 players of the week in different categories as a result of their play in the Golden Bears’ 33-7 victory over UCLA on Saturday.
Uluave, a freshman, raked in the most prestigious of the three awards, being named the conference’s defensive player of the week. He had a game-high 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss (for minus-5 yards), 1.0 sack (minus-2 yards), and one interception.
One of his tackles for loss came on a fourth-and-1 play at the Cal 20-yard line early in the second quarter with the Bears leading 6-0. His diving interception at Cal's 34-yard line ended UCLA's first drive of the second half.
Uluave has been a star since becoming a starter after all-conference inside linebacker Jackson Sirmon was lost for the season with an injury. Over the last six games of the regular season, Uluave had 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Ott was named the Pac-12 special teams player of the week for his pivotal play in Saturday’s game. Cal trailed 7-6 when Ott recorded a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the first kickoff return of his life at any level. That gave the Bears a 13-7 lead, and Cal remained ahead the rest of the game.
Ott also had 80 rushing yards in the game, but it was his kickoff return that earned him the weekly honor.
Somewhat overshadowed by the play Uluave was the performance of Reese, who put up some impressive numbers against UCLA and was named the Pac-12 defensive lineman of the week.
He had 3.0 sacks against UCLA, accounting for 23 yards of losses, and one of his sacks caused a UCLA fumble that was recovered by Uluave. In the past three games Reese has recorded 5.5 sacks and forced three fumbles.
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