TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell has been named the Pac-12 Conference Freshman Player of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon.
 
Gunnell led Arizona to victory Saturday night against UCLA in his first career start for the Wildcats. The freshman from The Woodlands, Texas, completed 29 of 44 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown. Gunnell hooked up with running back Bam Smith for a 75-yard touchdown pass in the win.
 
Gunnell is the first Wildcat to win Freshman of the Week honors. The award is in its debut season.
 
Gunnell became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Arizona since Khalil Tate started versus USC in 2016. He's the first true freshman to win his first start since Willie Tuitama in 2005. The Texas native also became the first freshman quarterback to throw for 350 yards and no interceptions in a game since Keith Smith in 1997.
 
The freshman was especially impressive in the second half against the Bruins. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown in the game's final 30 minutes. He also helped the Wildcats engineer a fourth-quarter comeback. Arizona was trailing 17-13 entering the final quarter.
 
Gunnell is the first Arizona freshman to win a Pac-12 weekly award since running back Nick Wilson was named Offensive Player of the Week in 2014 following his performance against Utah.
 
The Wildcats (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12) and Gunnell will now hit the road and face Colorado this Saturday at 1:30 p.m., MST.