Sept. 24, 2007

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WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--Quarterback Dennis Dixon of Oregon, safety Thomas DeCoud of California and kick returner Matthew Slater of UCLA, have been named U.S. Bank Pac-10 Football Players of the Week.

Dixon, a senior from San Leandro, Calif., led the Oregon offense in a 55-31 win at Stanford. Dixon completed 27 of 36 (.750) passes for a career-high 367 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. His touchdown passes covered 71, 33, 15 and 50 yards. Dixon added 15 yards and a touchdown rushing to five him a hand in five TDs for the game. It marks the second time in three weeks Dixon has earned offensive player of the week honors having previously been named for his performance in Oregon's win at Michigan.

DeCoud, a senior from Pinole, Calif., made the big plays on defense in California's 45-27 win against Arizona. DeCoud posted 10 tackles, including a quarterback sack for -12 yards. He also intercepted a pass, forced a fumble that a teammate returned for a touchdown and recovered a fumble that set up another California touchdown. The Golden Bear defense forced four Arizona turnovers.

Slater, a senior from Orange, Calif., came up with a big play in UCLA's 44-31 win against Washington. Slater returned three kickoffs for 127 yards (42.3-yard average), including an 85-yard return for a touchdown that proved to be the winning score for the Bruins.

Others nominated for offensive player of the week honors were tight end Fred Davis of USC, quarterback Rudy Carpenter of Arizona State and running backs Chris Markey of UCLA, Justin Forsett of California and Anthony Kimble of Stanford. Also nominated on defense were linebackers Keith Rivers of USC and Robert James of Arizona State and safety Dennis Keyes of UCLA. Kickers David Beuhler of USC and Thomas Weber of Arizona State and return man Jonathan Stewart of Oregon were nominated for special teams play.