Antoine Cason is getting recognized on more than just the list of “”SportsCenter”” top plays.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced yesterday that Cason was named the Defensive Player of the Week for his performance Thursday night against then-No. 2 Oregon.
It is the first time Arizona has won two straight home Pacific 10 Conference games since 1998, the last year the Wildcats went to a bowl game.
Cason had seven tackles, five pass breakups and a 42-yard
interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Ducks that put the Wildcats ahead for the remainder of the game.
On top of his defensive play, Cason had another touchdown on special teams, a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown about nine minutes later, as he garnered ESPN’s top play of the day.
“”I haven’t done that on any level. Maybe Pop Warner, but that’s kind of far back,”” Cason said of getting a touchdown on both special teams and defense. “”That’s the first for me, and it’s exciting.””
Cason is tied for third in the nation in interceptions (five) and second in picks returned for touchdowns (two).
On special teams, Cason has returned 23 punts for an average of 9.2 yards per return and two touchdowns, one more than heralded punt returner DeSean Jackson of California and one fewer than Troy’s Leodis McKelvin.
Juco offensive guard commits
Mike Diaz, a three-star recruit out of Cerritos College in California, has verbally committed to the Arizona football team.
Diaz, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive lineman, visited the school over the weekend and watched Arizona upset Oregon but claimed he wanted to choose the Wildcats, regardless.
“”It was a very good win for Arizona, but in all honesty it did not play much of a role because I already had my mind made up,”” Diaz told Goazcats.com.
Diaz said he will be graduating in December and start practicing with the Wildcats in January. He said he thinks he may have a chance of starting next season.
Diaz is the third three-star offensive lineman recruit for 2008 and the 12th overall member of the UA’s class.
