Oct. 9, 2000

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Tailback Paul Arnold of Washington, cornerback Michael Jolivette of Arizona and placekicker Anousith Wilkaikul of Washington State have been named Pac-10 Players of the Week in football.

Arnold, a sophomore from Seattle, Wash., was a key contributor in Washington's 33-30 win against No. 23-ranked Oregon State. Arnold rushed 16 times for 102 yards (6.4-yard averge) and added seven receptions for 65 yards to compile 167 total yards. The Washington offense piled up 31 first downs, 281 yards rushing and 504 yards total offense with no turnovers against an Oregon State defense that led the Pac-10 and was ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing and total defense.

Jolivette, a freshman from Houston, Tex., was among the defensive standouts in Arizona's 31-15 win at No. 18-ranked USC. Jolivette intercepted two USC passes in the second half to thwart Trojan drives. He returned his second interception 34 yards to set up a Wildcat score. Jolivette added six tackles, all solo, and a pass breakup. The Arizona defense limited USC to 10 yards rushing, forced five turnovers and recorded five quarterback sacks. Three different Arizona players have earned Pac-10 defensive player of the week honors in the first six weeks of the season.

Wilkaikul, a senior from Vista, Calif., was perfect in his kicking in Washington State's hard-fought 42-35 win against Boise State. Walkaikul connected on all three of his field goal attempts from 38, 22 and 34 yards and was good on three PATs.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week honors were quarterbacks Griffin Goodman of Arizona State, Jason Gesser of Washington State and Jonathan Smith of Oregon State and running backs Clarence Farmer of Arizona and Joe Igber of California. Others nominated on defense were linebackers Adam Archuleta of Arizona State and James Price of Washington State and safety Hakim Akbar of Washington. Punters Nick Harris of California and Nick Murphy of Arizona State and kick block specialist Peter Hansen of Arizona were nominated for special teams play.

2000 PAC-10 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Week Offense Defense Special TeamsSep. 2 DeShaun Foster, TB, UCLA Joe Tafoya, DE, ARIZ Nick Murphy, P, ASUSep. 9 Marques Tuiasosopo, QB, UW Andre Carter, DE, CAL David Newbury, PK, USCSep. 16 Jason Gesser, QB, WSU Larry Tripplett, NT, WASH Nick Harris, P, CALSep. 23 Maurice Morris, TB, ORE DeLawrence Grant, DE, OSU Keith Lewis, S, ORESep. 30 Ken Simonton, TB, OSU Idris Haroon, DE, ARIZ Kurtis Doerr, P, OREOct. 7 Paul Arnold, TB, WASH Michael Jolivette, CB, ARIZ Anousith Wilkaikul, PK, WSU