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WSU returner Kaleb Fossum named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week

Washington State wide receiver Kaleb Fossum (83) returns a punt for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) ORG XMIT: WAYK110 (Young Kwak / AP)
By Jacob Thorpe

PULLMAN – During last Saturday’s 56-21 win over California Washington State’s Kaleb Fossum became the first Cougar to return a punt for a touchdown in 11 years, and on Monday he won Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his trouble.

He was the first Cougar to touch the ball against Cal, and his 75-yard return gave WSU a lead before its offense ever took the field. The Cougars had not seen a similar special teams score since Michael Bumpus returned a punt 87 yards agaisnt Nevada in 2005.

Fossum is now fourth in the Pac-12 with a 10.8 punt return average. He is the second Cougar to earn the honor this season, joining teammate Robert Lewis who won it after returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Arizona State on Oct. 24.

The Cougars had not had two players win Special Teams Player of the Week in the same season since 2006.