Here’s this afternoon’s official Pac-10 press release announcing USC’s Stafon Johnson as the league’s offensive player of the week.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.–Tailback Stafon Johnson of USC and safety Bo McNally and kicker Derek Belch, both of Stanford, have been named U.S. Bank Pac-10 Football Players of the Week.

Johnson, a sophomore from Bellflower, Calif., spearheaded USC’s rushing game in the Trojans’ 49-31 road win at No. 14-ranked Nebraska. Behind a dominating offensive line, Johnson rushed for 144 yards on just 11 carries, a 13.1-yard average. Included was a 7-yard touchdown run. USC piled up 457 yards total offense against the Cornhuskers, including 313 yards and five touchdowns rushing.

McNally, a sophomore from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Belch, a senior from San Diego, Calif., played key roles in Stanford’s 37-0 shutout win against San Jose State. McNally posted a team-high 11 tackles, eight solo, returned an interception 18 yards and broke up three passes. In addition to the shutout, the Cardinal defense allowed just 163 yards total offense–32 rushing, 131 passing.

Belch connected on all three of his field goal attempts, including two 50-yarders, as he hit from 52, 50 and 37 yards. He also was good on all four of his PAT attempts.
Others nominated for offensive player of the week honors were running backs Jonathan Stewart of Oregon, Justin Forsett of California, Keegan Herring of Arizona State and Toby Gerhart of Stanford, wide receiver Michael Bumpus of Washington State and quarterback Sean Canfield of Oregon State.

Also nominated on defense were linebackers Keith Rivers of USC, Greg Trent of Washington State, Anthony Felder of California, Robert James of Arizona State and cornerback Walter Thurmond III of Oregon. Kick returner Lavelle Hawkins of California, kickers Kai Forbath of UCLA and Thomas Weber of Arizona State and punter Josh Syria of Oregon were nominated for special teams play.

2007 U.S. BANK PAC-10 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week Offense Defense Special Teams

Sep. 1 Ben Olson, QB, UCLA Robert James, LB, ASU DeSean Jackson, PR, CAL

Sep. 8 Dennis Dixon, QB, ORE Roy Lewis, CB, WASH Aaron Perez, P, UCLA

Sep. 15 Stafon Johnson, TB, USC Bo McNally, FS, STAN Derek Belch, PK, STAN