⚡ CFB Dashboard

Arizona Football wide receiver Caleb Smith has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. This marks the first conference weekly honor of Smith's career, and the second this season for the Wildcats. Smith, nicknamed "Jet," recorded 122 all-purpose yards and hauled in his first career touchdown catch in Arizona's 34-24 road victory over Washington State. In addition to finishing second on the team with 86 receiving yards, Smith posted a 36-yard punt return as a follow-up to his 69-yard punt return touchdown from the week prior. The Wildcats go-ahead touchdown drive in the third quarter was built from start to finish with passes from quarterback Noah Fifita to Smith. The dynamic freshman opened the drive with a three-yard reception, continued with a 41-yard acrobatic catch to move the ball into WSU territory, and capped the drive with a 38-yard touchdown reception. Smith's efforts earned him an 83.0 PFF offensive grade, the second best on the team. "When it comes to slot receivers, they have to be tough and have some fearlessness about them going across the middle and digging out linebackers that are bigger than them and knowing you are going to get hit at times on crossing routes and things of that nature," Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege said. "The Jet never shies away. He never hit a freshman wall and just kind of pushed through all that stuff, so that told me he is a bit tougher than most at his age."