Linebacker Keisean Lucier-South, who produced a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss in the Bruins' 37-7 win at Cal and played in role in causing three fourth-quarter turnovers by the Golden Bears, was named Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
After UCLA had taken a 20-7 lead entering the fourth quarter, the Bruin defense forced Cal turnovers on four straight possessions and Lucier-South was involved in three. He recorded his first career interception to stop Cal's initial possession of the last quarter. Lucier-South then picked up a fumble by the Cal quarterback, caused by fellow linebacker Odua Isibor, and returned it 38 yards for his first career touchdown. The redshirt junior terminated Cal's next possession with a quarterback sack which caused a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Lokeni Toailoa.
Lucier-South finished the game with six tackles and keyed a defense which limited the Golden Bears to seven points which is the fewest the Bruins have allowed since posting a shutout of Oregon State in the 2015 season. In this week's Pac-12 Conference rankings, he rated tied for eighth in the league in sacks (0.5/g) and was listed sixth in the league in tackles for loss/g (1.42).
After UCLA had taken a 20-7 lead entering the fourth quarter, the Bruin defense forced Cal turnovers on four straight possessions and Lucier-South was involved in three. He recorded his first career interception to stop Cal's initial possession of the last quarter. Lucier-South then picked up a fumble by the Cal quarterback, caused by fellow linebacker Odua Isibor, and returned it 38 yards for his first career touchdown. The redshirt junior terminated Cal's next possession with a quarterback sack which caused a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Lokeni Toailoa.
Lucier-South finished the game with six tackles and keyed a defense which limited the Golden Bears to seven points which is the fewest the Bruins have allowed since posting a shutout of Oregon State in the 2015 season. In this week's Pac-12 Conference rankings, he rated tied for eighth in the league in sacks (0.5/g) and was listed sixth in the league in tackles for loss/g (1.42).