Flowers, Scott recognized for play in USC win

Published Oct. 29, 2012 4:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

TUCSON, Ariz. – University of Arizona junior linebacker Marquis Flowers was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Wildcats' 39-36 victory over Southern California. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Matt Scott was named the Walter Camp Natioanl Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

In a game dominated statistically by offensive players, Flowers turned in a sterling performance on the defensive side to help the Wildcats upset the Trojans. He intercepted two Matt Barkley passes, forced a fumble and was credited with seven tackles.

On the game’s opening possession, Flowers halted a 13-play drive for the Trojans when he intercepted Matt Barkley at the UA 26-yardline. Flowers returned it 14 yards, which set up a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown for the Wildcats to claim an early edge.

In the second quarter with UA leading 10-0, Flowers again turned away the Trojans deep in Wildcat territory. On first-and-10 from the 16-yardline, Flowers forced Silas Redd to fumble, and UA’s Jonathan McKnight recovered. Later in the quarter, Flowers preserved a three-point Wildcat lead with his second interception of Barkley near midfield.

His three forced turnovers were a part of a five turnover-day for the defense, which registered its most takeaways in a game since Aug. 31, 2008, against Idaho.

Flowers and the UA defense stiffened up in the second half, stopping the Trojans on five consecutive possessions and six of the final seven drives of the game. USC converted just 1 of 5 third-down attempts in the second half after picking up 4 of 6 in the first half, and the Trojans were 0 for 2 on fourth-down attempts.

Scott completed 27 of 50 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for 100 yards and one score before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with an apparent head injury.

He surpassed 300 passing yards for the fifth time this season and established a career high in rushing yards. His 469 yards of total offense is fourth best in school history, and his season total of 3,089 yards ranks third in Arizona's record book with four games still to play.

Scott shared the offensive player of the week honor selected by Arizona's coaching staff with sophomore receiver Austin Hill. Hill had 10 catches for 259 yards. He now ranks fifth nationally with 117.1 receiving yards per game.

Junior cornerback Derrick Rainey was named special teams player of the week by the coaching staff.

The Wildcats re-entered the national rankings this week, checking at No. 22 in the BCS rankings, No. 24 in The Associated Press poll and No. 25 in FOXSports.com's power rankings.

Their next opponent, UCLA, is ranked 25th in the AP Poll and will be the sixth ranked opponent the Wildcats will face in nine game.