While Arizona’s 27-3 win over Houston last Friday was a group effort, there were several individual standouts that made it possible for the Wildcats to end a 5-game losing streak and stay alive for a bowl bid. Unfortunately, only one of them was considered worthy of a weekly conference award, and they had to share that honor.
Sophomore defensive back Genesis Smith was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week after his two-takeaway effort against Houston. He shares the award with Colorado’s Amari McNeill and West Virginia’s Reid Carrico.
Making a statement ⚔️
Genesis Smith has been named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week pic.twitter.com/F0GEuZ4TuI
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 18, 2024
Smith had seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss, along with an interception and fumble recovery against the Cougars. He is Arizona’s second Big 12 defensive award winner this season, joining cornerback Tacario Davis in late September, and fourth Wildcat to be honored this season.
“I think it’s so cool how that young man just continued to accelerate his growth and development,” UA coach Brent Brennan said of Smith, who began the season as a reserve but has started six straight games and eight of nine as injuries mounted on the defensive side. “That was something that we started to see in spring when he started to get more reps. Nothing accelerates that development like playing in games.”
For the season, Smith—who leads Arizona in defensive snaps at 625—has 46 tackles (3.5 for loss) and is tops on the Wildcats with three interceptions, most by a UA player since 2019.
Arizona figured to have a shot at multiple Big 12 awards but kicker Tyler Loop, who beat the previous school record by five yards with his 62-yard field goal, was beaten out by Colorado’s LaJohntay Wester for Special Teams Player of the Week. Wester had a 76-yard punt return touchdown on Saturday against Utah.
Had Loop won it would have been his second weekly award of 2024, following the Special Teams nod he got after kicking a school-record five field goals against Texas Tech in early October, and third of his career.