BERKELEY – California punter Lachlan Wilson was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday for his performance in the Golden Bears' 24-21 home victory over Arizona State on Saturday.

Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox said in his post-game press conference that "you could argue" then quickly clarified before finishing his thought that "I don't even know if it's an argument" that Wilson "was the most valuable player for us today."

Wilson won the honor for the first time in his career and is the second Golden Bear to be named a Pac-12 Player of the Week in 2023 following the selection of Brian Driscoll as the Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week in Cal's season-opening 58-21 win at North Texas. Wilson is the first Cal player to be selected as the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week since Greg Thomas in Week 3 of the 2019 campaign and the 43rd all-time.

Cal (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) will next host No. 15 Oregon State (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) on Homecoming in Berkley this Saturday (7 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Network).

Visit CalBears.com for tickets and more information about Cal's entire slate of 2023 games and check out the Cal Athletic Fund online to support the Cal football program via the Championship CALiber initiative.

Below are notes on Wilson with his extended bio available by clicking on his name.
 
Lachlan Wilson, P, 6-3, 195, R-Jr., 5th Collegiate Season/1st Season At Cal (Eaglemont, Australia/Tulsa/Xavier College)
– Booted four of his seven punts 53 yards or longer including a Cal career-long 59-yarder and averaged a Cal career-best 49.7 yards per punt against Arizona State
– Four of his seven punts against Arizona State made the Sun Devils start drives at their own 20-yard line or worse, including twice at their own 10 or worse and once inside the five
– Cal capitalized on Wilson pinning the Sun Devils deep in their own territory by scoring 17 points on its first drive after Wilson had pinned the Sun Devils at or inside their own 20
– Arizona State's average starting field position was its own 20-yard line, while Cal's was its own 40
– Held on all four successful attempts (1-1 FG, 3-3 PAT) by Mateen Bhaghani in Bhaghani's first game as the Golden Bears' starting placekicker
– A nominee for the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week
– Second in the Pac-12 and 19th in the NCAA with his 44.9 yards per punt average in 2023
– His 44.9 punting average in 2023 would be fifth on Cal's all-time single season list and first on Cal's career list