Perich joins Kerry Brown as the only Gophers freshmen since at least 1990 to have multiple interceptions in a game. He also is the first Gophers freshman – and only the second ever – to be named Big Ten defensive player of the week, joining Tyrone Carter, who was honored on Set. 23, 1996.

Minnesota defensive back Koi Perich takes a tumble after intercepting a pass by UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (not pictured) on the final play of the game at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Oct. 12, 2024. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Perich joins Kerry Brown as the only Gophers freshman to have multiple interceptions in a game since at least 1990. He’s also now just the second Minnesota freshman to be named the conference’s defensive player of the week, with the other being Tyrone Carter on Sept. 23, 1996.

Minnesota Gophers freshman safety Koi Perich has been making waves, and this week he earned Big Ten Defensive player of the Week honors.

With a forced fumble, six total tackles and a game-sealing interception, Gophers star freshman safety Koi Perich introduced himself to the nation on Saturday.

Minnesota's starting free safety Kerry Brown was ruled out prior to kickoff, giving Perich another opportunity to see more snaps. He played a career-high 48 snaps in the win again

Koi Perich was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after snagging the game-sealing interception in the Gophers football team's 21-17 win over UCLA at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday night.

Minnesota true freshman defensive back Koi Perich has been named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after recording two tackles and a pair of key interceptions in the Golden Gophers’ 21-17 come-from-behind win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.