TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State junior wide receiver N'Keal Harry (offense) and freshman linebacker Merlin Robertson (defense) were recognized for their performances in ASU's upset of No. 16 Utah on Saturday as both players earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors.
Harry, who earned Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors one week earlier, caught nine passes for 161 yards and a career-high three touchdowns against Utah, the most against the Utes in both categories this season. Harry's first touchdown reception of the game, a three-yard catch, put ASU up 14-0 in the second quarter. After the Utes scored 17 straight points, Harry hauled in his second six-pointer on a 23-yard reception with 1:01 left in the first half to put ASU back in front, 21-17. Harry's 61-yard scoring reception on the first play of the fourth quarter put the Sun Devils up 28-20. After being held while running his route, Harry broke free from his defender, caught QB Manny Wilkins' pass at the Utah 43, then outraced the rest of the Utah defense to the end zone. Harry's 35-yard reception later in the fourth quarter – caught the ball on one side of the field, reversed his field six yards behind the original line of scrimmage and raced to the Utah eight – set up Brandon Ruiz's 21-yard field goal to put ASU up 31-20.
Robertson, who earned national defensive player of the week honors earlier this season for his outing in ASU's win over Michigan State, led the Sun Devil defense with nine tackles, including one tackle for loss, and recorded his first career interception against Utah. Robertson's play helped ASU's defense hold the Utes, who came in averaging 41 points in their past four games, to 325 yards for the game and only three points in the second half. Robertson set the tone for the unit's second-half effort as he intercepted Ute QB Tyler Huntley on Utah's first possession of the second half.
This is Harry's second Pac-12 weekly award and the first for Robertson, bringing ASU's total of Pac-12 Player of the Week awards to five for 2018. On Sept. 10 ASU placekicker Brandon Ruiz was named Special Teams Player of the Week and on Oct. 1 running back Eno Benjamin was named Offensive Player of the Week. Harry earned the nod on special teams last week.
Robertson became the first true freshman to earn offensive or defensive Player of the Week honor for ASU since Junior Onyeali did so Nov. 1, 2010.
It marks the first time an offensive and defensive player have been named Pac-12 Players of the Week for the same week since Oct. 30, 1993 (Mario Bates and Dan Lucas). ASU has had numerous occasions of a offensive or defensive player joining a special teams player in the same week more recently, but 25 years since and offense AND defensive player did it in the same week. ASU last had two players named Pac-12 Player of the Week on Oct. 5, 2015 (Mike Bercovici on offense and Matt Haack on special teams).
The Sun Devils (5-4, 3-3 Pac-12) return to action on Saturday (noon MST) when they host UCLA at Sun Devil Stadium. The contest will be ASU's annual Salute to Service Game. To purchase tickets, call the Sun Devil Ticket office at 480-727-0000 or go online to TicketMaster.com.
@ASUFOOTBALL ALL-TIME PAC-12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK BY SEASON
2018 (5)
Brandon Ruiz (ST), Sept. 10
Eno Benjamin (O), Oct. 1
N'Keal Harry (ST), Oct. 29
N'Keal Harry (O), Nov. 5
Merlin Robertson (D), Nov. 5
2017 (2)
Brandon Ruiz (ST), Sept. 25
Brandon Ruiz (ST), Oct. 23
2016 (6)
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Oct. 17
Marcus Ball (D), Oct. 8
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Oct. 8
Kalen Ballage (O), Sept. 12
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Sept. 19
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Sept. 26
2015 (5)
Antonio Longino (D), Nov. 23
Antonio Longino (D), Nov. 16
Tim White (ST), Oct 19
Mike Bercovici (O), Oct. 5
Matt Haack (ST), Oct. 5
2014 (3)
Damarious Randall (D), Oct. 20
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Nov. 3
Lloyd Carrington (D), Nov. 10
2013 (7)
Alden Darby (D), Sept. 30
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Oct. 21
Taylor Kelly (O), Nov. 4
Robert Nelson (D), Nov. 18
Chris Young (D), Nov. 25
Damarious Randall (D), Dec. 2
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Dec. 2
2012 (3)
Will Sutton (D), Oct. 1
Rashad Ross (ST), Oct. 16
Brandon Magee (D), Nov. 26
2011 (2)
Shelly Lyons (D), Sept. 26
Jamal Miles (ST), Oct. 3
2010 (2)
Junior Onyeali (D), Nov. 1
Brock Osweiler (O), Nov. 28
2009 (5)
Mike Nixon (D), Sept, 5
Mike Nixon (D), Nov. 1
Jamal Miles (ST), Nov. 28
James Brooks (D), Dec. 6
Thomas Weber (ST), Dec. 6
2008 (3)
Gerald Munns (D), Sep. 6
Thomas Weber (ST), Nov. 8
Troy Nolan (D) Nov. 29
2007 (4)
Robert James (D), Sep. 1
Thomas Weber (ST), Sep. 29
Thomas Weber (ST), Oct. 6
Thomas Weber (ST), Dec. 1
2006 (1)
Jesse Ainsworth (ST), Nov. 11
2005 (4)
Dale Robnson (D), Sep. 10
Jamar Williams (D), Sep. 24
Terry Richardson (ST) Oct. 1
Rudy Carpenter (O), Oct. 29
2004 (4)
Dale Robinson (D), Sept. 11
Jamar Williams (D), Sept. 18
Jesse Ainsworth (ST), Sept. 18
Emmanuel Franklin (D), Sept. 25
2003 (1)
Andrew Walter (O), Oct. 11
2002 (5)
Hakim Hill (ST), Sept. 7
Josh Amobi (D), Oct, 12
Andrew Walter (O), Oct. 19
Mike Barth (ST), Oct. 19
Terrell Suggs (D), Oct. 26
2001 (1)
Alfred Williams (D), Oct. 2
2000 (1)
Nick Murphy (ST), Sept. 2
1999 (3)
Adam Archuleta (D), Oct. 23
J.R. Redmond (O), Nov. 6
Todd Heap (O), Nov. 27
1998 (1)
Adam Archuleta (D), Sept. 26
1997 (5)
Robert Nycz (ST), Sept. 14
Ryan Kealy (O), Oct. 11
Pat Tillman (D), Oct. 18
Ryan Kealy (O), Nov. 1
Marcus Williams (ST), Nov. 1
1996 (8)
Michael Martin (O), Sept. 7
Robert Nycz (ST), Sept. 7
Mitchell Freedman (D), Sept. 21
Pat Tillman (D), Sept. 28
Jake Plummer (O), Oct. 12
Lance Anderson (ST), Oct. 19
Terry Battle (ST), Nov. 2
Derrick Rodgers (D), Nov. 9
1995 (2)
Jake Plummer (O), Nov. 4
Brian Singleton (ST), Nov. 11
1994 (3)
Jon Baker (ST), Oct. 8
Jake Plummer (O), Oct. 29
Jon Baker (ST), Oct. 29
1993 (3)
Mario Bates (O), Oct. 30
Jon Baker (ST), Oct. 30
Dan Lucas (D), Oct. 30
1992 (3)
Arizona State Defense (D), Oct. 24
Brett Wallerstedt (D), Nov. 14
Israel Stanley (D), Nov. 21
1991 (2)
Brett Wallerstedt (D), Sept. 21
Eric Guliford (ST), Nov. 23
1990 (2)
Nathan LaDuke (D), Sept. 15
Paul Justin (O), Nov. 10
1989 (2)
Paul Justin (O), Oct. 28
Ron Fair (O), Oct. 28
1988 (2)
Pail Justin (O), Oct. 22
Eric Crawford (D), Oct. 29
1987 (3)
Mike Schuh (ST), Sept. 12
Eric Allen (D), Oct. 17
Mike Schuh (ST), Oct. 31
1986 (5)
Jeff Van Raaphorst (O), Oct. 4
Scott Stephen (D), Oct. 4
Greg Clark (D), Oct. 18
Channing Williams (O), Nov. 1
Stacy Harvey (D), Nov. 1
1985 (3)
David Fulcher (D), Sept. 28
Greg Battle (D), Oct. 26
Scott Stephen (D), Nov. 9
1984 (4)
Darryl Clark (O), Sept. 29
David Fulcher (D), Sept. 29
Anthony Parker (D), Oct. 20
Jeff Van Raaphorst (O), Nov. 3
1983 (4)
Darryl Clark (O), Sept. 24
David Fulcher (D), Oct. 1
Darryl Clark (O), Oct. 15
Todd Hons (O), Oct. 15
Harry, who earned Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors one week earlier, caught nine passes for 161 yards and a career-high three touchdowns against Utah, the most against the Utes in both categories this season. Harry's first touchdown reception of the game, a three-yard catch, put ASU up 14-0 in the second quarter. After the Utes scored 17 straight points, Harry hauled in his second six-pointer on a 23-yard reception with 1:01 left in the first half to put ASU back in front, 21-17. Harry's 61-yard scoring reception on the first play of the fourth quarter put the Sun Devils up 28-20. After being held while running his route, Harry broke free from his defender, caught QB Manny Wilkins' pass at the Utah 43, then outraced the rest of the Utah defense to the end zone. Harry's 35-yard reception later in the fourth quarter – caught the ball on one side of the field, reversed his field six yards behind the original line of scrimmage and raced to the Utah eight – set up Brandon Ruiz's 21-yard field goal to put ASU up 31-20.
Robertson, who earned national defensive player of the week honors earlier this season for his outing in ASU's win over Michigan State, led the Sun Devil defense with nine tackles, including one tackle for loss, and recorded his first career interception against Utah. Robertson's play helped ASU's defense hold the Utes, who came in averaging 41 points in their past four games, to 325 yards for the game and only three points in the second half. Robertson set the tone for the unit's second-half effort as he intercepted Ute QB Tyler Huntley on Utah's first possession of the second half.
This is Harry's second Pac-12 weekly award and the first for Robertson, bringing ASU's total of Pac-12 Player of the Week awards to five for 2018. On Sept. 10 ASU placekicker Brandon Ruiz was named Special Teams Player of the Week and on Oct. 1 running back Eno Benjamin was named Offensive Player of the Week. Harry earned the nod on special teams last week.
Robertson became the first true freshman to earn offensive or defensive Player of the Week honor for ASU since Junior Onyeali did so Nov. 1, 2010.
It marks the first time an offensive and defensive player have been named Pac-12 Players of the Week for the same week since Oct. 30, 1993 (Mario Bates and Dan Lucas). ASU has had numerous occasions of a offensive or defensive player joining a special teams player in the same week more recently, but 25 years since and offense AND defensive player did it in the same week. ASU last had two players named Pac-12 Player of the Week on Oct. 5, 2015 (Mike Bercovici on offense and Matt Haack on special teams).
The Sun Devils (5-4, 3-3 Pac-12) return to action on Saturday (noon MST) when they host UCLA at Sun Devil Stadium. The contest will be ASU's annual Salute to Service Game. To purchase tickets, call the Sun Devil Ticket office at 480-727-0000 or go online to TicketMaster.com.
@ASUFOOTBALL ALL-TIME PAC-12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK BY SEASON
2018 (5)
Brandon Ruiz (ST), Sept. 10
Eno Benjamin (O), Oct. 1
N'Keal Harry (ST), Oct. 29
N'Keal Harry (O), Nov. 5
Merlin Robertson (D), Nov. 5
2017 (2)
Brandon Ruiz (ST), Sept. 25
Brandon Ruiz (ST), Oct. 23
2016 (6)
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Oct. 17
Marcus Ball (D), Oct. 8
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Oct. 8
Kalen Ballage (O), Sept. 12
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Sept. 19
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Sept. 26
2015 (5)
Antonio Longino (D), Nov. 23
Antonio Longino (D), Nov. 16
Tim White (ST), Oct 19
Mike Bercovici (O), Oct. 5
Matt Haack (ST), Oct. 5
2014 (3)
Damarious Randall (D), Oct. 20
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Nov. 3
Lloyd Carrington (D), Nov. 10
2013 (7)
Alden Darby (D), Sept. 30
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Oct. 21
Taylor Kelly (O), Nov. 4
Robert Nelson (D), Nov. 18
Chris Young (D), Nov. 25
Damarious Randall (D), Dec. 2
Zane Gonzalez (ST), Dec. 2
2012 (3)
Will Sutton (D), Oct. 1
Rashad Ross (ST), Oct. 16
Brandon Magee (D), Nov. 26
2011 (2)
Shelly Lyons (D), Sept. 26
Jamal Miles (ST), Oct. 3
2010 (2)
Junior Onyeali (D), Nov. 1
Brock Osweiler (O), Nov. 28
2009 (5)
Mike Nixon (D), Sept, 5
Mike Nixon (D), Nov. 1
Jamal Miles (ST), Nov. 28
James Brooks (D), Dec. 6
Thomas Weber (ST), Dec. 6
2008 (3)
Gerald Munns (D), Sep. 6
Thomas Weber (ST), Nov. 8
Troy Nolan (D) Nov. 29
2007 (4)
Robert James (D), Sep. 1
Thomas Weber (ST), Sep. 29
Thomas Weber (ST), Oct. 6
Thomas Weber (ST), Dec. 1
2006 (1)
Jesse Ainsworth (ST), Nov. 11
2005 (4)
Dale Robnson (D), Sep. 10
Jamar Williams (D), Sep. 24
Terry Richardson (ST) Oct. 1
Rudy Carpenter (O), Oct. 29
2004 (4)
Dale Robinson (D), Sept. 11
Jamar Williams (D), Sept. 18
Jesse Ainsworth (ST), Sept. 18
Emmanuel Franklin (D), Sept. 25
2003 (1)
Andrew Walter (O), Oct. 11
2002 (5)
Hakim Hill (ST), Sept. 7
Josh Amobi (D), Oct, 12
Andrew Walter (O), Oct. 19
Mike Barth (ST), Oct. 19
Terrell Suggs (D), Oct. 26
2001 (1)
Alfred Williams (D), Oct. 2
2000 (1)
Nick Murphy (ST), Sept. 2
1999 (3)
Adam Archuleta (D), Oct. 23
J.R. Redmond (O), Nov. 6
Todd Heap (O), Nov. 27
1998 (1)
Adam Archuleta (D), Sept. 26
1997 (5)
Robert Nycz (ST), Sept. 14
Ryan Kealy (O), Oct. 11
Pat Tillman (D), Oct. 18
Ryan Kealy (O), Nov. 1
Marcus Williams (ST), Nov. 1
1996 (8)
Michael Martin (O), Sept. 7
Robert Nycz (ST), Sept. 7
Mitchell Freedman (D), Sept. 21
Pat Tillman (D), Sept. 28
Jake Plummer (O), Oct. 12
Lance Anderson (ST), Oct. 19
Terry Battle (ST), Nov. 2
Derrick Rodgers (D), Nov. 9
1995 (2)
Jake Plummer (O), Nov. 4
Brian Singleton (ST), Nov. 11
1994 (3)
Jon Baker (ST), Oct. 8
Jake Plummer (O), Oct. 29
Jon Baker (ST), Oct. 29
1993 (3)
Mario Bates (O), Oct. 30
Jon Baker (ST), Oct. 30
Dan Lucas (D), Oct. 30
1992 (3)
Arizona State Defense (D), Oct. 24
Brett Wallerstedt (D), Nov. 14
Israel Stanley (D), Nov. 21
1991 (2)
Brett Wallerstedt (D), Sept. 21
Eric Guliford (ST), Nov. 23
1990 (2)
Nathan LaDuke (D), Sept. 15
Paul Justin (O), Nov. 10
1989 (2)
Paul Justin (O), Oct. 28
Ron Fair (O), Oct. 28
1988 (2)
Pail Justin (O), Oct. 22
Eric Crawford (D), Oct. 29
1987 (3)
Mike Schuh (ST), Sept. 12
Eric Allen (D), Oct. 17
Mike Schuh (ST), Oct. 31
1986 (5)
Jeff Van Raaphorst (O), Oct. 4
Scott Stephen (D), Oct. 4
Greg Clark (D), Oct. 18
Channing Williams (O), Nov. 1
Stacy Harvey (D), Nov. 1
1985 (3)
David Fulcher (D), Sept. 28
Greg Battle (D), Oct. 26
Scott Stephen (D), Nov. 9
1984 (4)
Darryl Clark (O), Sept. 29
David Fulcher (D), Sept. 29
Anthony Parker (D), Oct. 20
Jeff Van Raaphorst (O), Nov. 3
1983 (4)
Darryl Clark (O), Sept. 24
David Fulcher (D), Oct. 1
Darryl Clark (O), Oct. 15
Todd Hons (O), Oct. 15