Craig Bray earns MCS Nike Game Ball as National Defensive Coordinator of the week


TEMPE, Ariz. - Craig Bray, the defensive coordinator of the Arizona State University football program, has been selected for a Master Coaches Survey (MCS) Nike Game Ball as the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week, the Master Football Coaches announced Wednesday. Bray's defense once again posted a strong second-half showing that enabled the Sun Devils to remain undefeated after scoring a 31-20 defeat of California.

Trailing 13-0 to the Golden Bears, the Sun Devil defense limited the visitors to just seven points in the second quarter and no scoring the remainder of the game to move ASU to 8-0 on the year. Big plays enabled the defense to secure the victory as Justin Tryon and Robert James recorded interceptions late the game, giving the Sun Devil defense at least one interception in each game this year and 14 total in 2007.

Overall this season, Bray's defensive unit is ranked 19th nationally in total defense (311.3 yards per game), ninth in rushing defense (89.4 yards per game) and seventh in scoring defense (15.6 points per game). The 14 interceptions posted by the Sun Devils ranks tied for ninth in the nation this year.

Each week during the 2007 college football season, the 17 Master Football Coaches will award an MCS Nike Game Ball to the respective schools of a National Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week. The Master Coaches will also present a game ball to the offensive and defensive coordinator whose game plans made the biggest impact in their respective teams' victory.

In addition to Bray, the Master Football Coaches will also award MCS Nike Game Balls to Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, Oregon safety Matthew Harper, Tennessee kicker Daniel Lincoln and Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Coach Jim Bollman.