Lee named Pac-12 Player of the Week


Sophomore wide receiver Marqise Lee was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Monday following his record-breaking performance in the Trojans’ loss to Arizona.

Lee had 16 catches for a Pac-12 conference record 345 yards, and was one reception away from tying junior wide receiver Robert Woods’ school record of 17 catches. Lee, who had touchdown grabs of 44 and 49 yards in the second and third quarters along with a 57-yard reception, also blew by Woods’ single-game receiving yards record of 260.

In addition, Lee also returned three kickoffs for 123 yards and ran once for a yard, recording 469 all-purpose yards. That represents the second most all-purpose yards in NCAA history, in addition to the fifth most receiving yards in NCAA history.

However, Lee’s superlative day was not enough to get the Trojans a victory as Arizona scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to turn a 28-13 deficit into a 39-28 lead that they would not relinquish. Arizona sophomore wide receiver Austin Hill also had a banner day, hauling down 10 passes for 259 yards.

Lee’s 255 receiving yards in the first half helped the Trojans jump out to a commanding lead, but mental mishaps doomed the formerly No. 9 Trojans at the hands of unranked Arizona. This is Lee’s second Pac-12 award of the season—he was named Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned a punt 100 yards for a touchdown against Hawaii.