BREAKING: UCLA LB Jalen Woods Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week After Historic Win at Oregon

WESTWOOD — UCLA fifth-year linebacker Jalen Woods has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his standout performance in the Bruins’ 17-15 upset of No. 13 Oregon on Saturday at Autzen Stadium, the conference announced Monday.

The Compton native and St. John Bosco product led UCLA with nine tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss, and recovered a fumble in the victory. His effort helped anchor a defense that forced seven turnovers and limited the Ducks to just 272 total yards — well below their 505.5-yard average entering the game — while holding Oregon to 73 rushing yards (2.7 yards per carry) and a completion percentage under 50 percent.

The win was a program milestone for the No. 21 Bruins (5-0, 3-0 Big Ten). It marked UCLA’s first victory at Autzen Stadium since 2004 and the program’s first-ever win over a ranked Oregon team in Eugene. Head coach Bob Chesney became the first coach in UCLA history to start his tenure 5-0.

Woods has been a consistent force in the middle of the UCLA defense this season. He ranks fifth in the Big Ten in tackles (8.2 per game) and has recorded at least eight tackles in all but one contest. The honor is the third Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award for a Bruin this season, following earlier honors for Ta’Shawn James and Sammy Omosigho.

“We just played physical, we played tough,” Chesney said after the game. “I thought our front did a good job, and I thought our coverage did a good job.”

The Bruins return home this weekend to face Wisconsin in a Big 10 showdown at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on NBC and Peacock.