Grasu named Pac-10 Player of the Week

COUGAR KICKER NICO GRASU has been named the Pac-10 special teams Player of the Week. Grasu's 3-of-3 performance in the 101st Apple Cup sent the game into overtime and provided the winning margin against Washington to give the Cougars their fourth victory over their cross-state rival in the last five years.

Nico Grasu a sophomore from Encino, Calif., becomes the second Cougar player to win the weekly Pac-10 award this season. Marshall Lobbestael took home Pac-10 player of the week honors for the Sep. 20 win over Portland State.

Grasu went 3-for-3 in Washington State's 16-13 double-overtime win over Washington.

His first boot, a 28-yarder, came as time expired to tie it up and send the 101st Apple Cup into overtime. Grasu kicked a 19-yarder in the first overtime period and then nailed the game-winner from 37 yards out in the second overtime.

Linebacker Louis Bland, who racked up three tackles for loss, five solo and seven stops total was also nominated for the Defensive Player of the Week award.

Joining Grasu were Cal running back Jahvid Best and safety Greg Laybourn of Oregon State, named the offensive and defensive Pac-10 players of the week.