TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State freshman linebacker Merlin Robertson was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday morning.
Robertson's performance was one of the major factors in Arizona State's 16-13 win over then-No. 15 Michigan State on Saturday night. Playing in just his second game at the collegiate level, Robertson (Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serro) registered nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. In the second half alone, Robertson recorded 7 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 TFL and a forced fumble.
Robertson's play helped the Sun Devil defense limit the Spartans to only 63 yards on the ground and a combined six points on Michigan State drives that went as far as the ASU 14-yard line (field goal), the ASU three-yard line (interception) and the ASU seven-yard line (field goal).