Clark Phillips III Named Pac-12 Defender Of The Week
Oct 3, 2022, 2:27 PM
Clark Phillips III #8 of the Utah Utes breaks up a pass intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter in the Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- The Utes got their first Pac-12 honors of the 2022 season after cornerback Clark Phillips III was named Defender of the Week for his three-interception game against Oregon State last weekend. Phillips III was already named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday.
Saw that coming 🤷
Let’s go @ClarkPhillips21 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Mox3sJOoR6
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 3, 2022
Phillips III’s performance was the most interceptions in a game since safety Robert Johnson had three interceptions against Colorado State in 2009. Phillips III and Johnson are tied for second all-time in school history for most interceptions in a game while Phillips III’s three pick sixes are also tied for second in school history.
Phillips III is currently second in all of FBS and first in the Pac-12 with career interceptions returned for a touchdown at three in 2022. He is also tied for first nationally in interceptions on the year at four total.
Breaking Down Clark Phillips’ Performance Against Oregon State
Phillips III wasted very little time getting the first interception which helped set up Utah’s first score of the game against Oregon State- a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cam Rising to receiver Jaylen Dixon.
A little later in the starting quarter Phillips III got his second interception- a pick six returned for 38 yards that put Utah up 14-7 about halfway through the first quarter. The final interception of the day for Phillips III came in the fourth quarter, a snag that prevented an Oregon State score in the end zone.
Up next, Phillips III will be taking his talents to Los Angeles with the #11 Utes in hopes of slowing down #18 UCLA at the Rose Bowl. You can check out the game at 1:30 p.m. MT/12:30 p.m. PT on FOX.
