Minnesota Gophers safety Koi Perich has been named the national freshman of the week after his key role in the Maroon and Gold's upset of No. 11 USC on Saturday.
The Maxwell Award Committee officially announced Perich as the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week on Tuesday, the same day the Esko native was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll.
Perich, of course, hauled in the game-sealing interception against USC in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of Minnesota's 24-17 win. However, he also forced a fumble and tallied a career-high six tackles.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, he was also Pro Football Focus's top-rated freshman defender in the country last week.
So far this season, Perich has eight tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. He's also returned six punts for 135 yards and seven kickoffs for 124 yards, handling return duties after Quentin Redding suffered a season-ending injury.
"I've really never had a freshman that ... I don't know what the word is, enlightens me? Makes me feel calm and also, like, how'd he just make me feel that calm so quickly," Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said last month. "He's a really special talent. He's gotta keep molding that ... but every time he touches the football, I just sit there and go 'Oh my gosh, something good's gonna happen with it.'"
Don't be surprised to see Perich get even more opportunities the rest of the season.
Related: Defense confident, praise for Perich and Brown; Notes & quotes following Gophers win over Nevada