Owen Long Named National Defensive Player of the Week
The Arizona State linebacker earned top honors after a stellar defensive showing against Kansas in London.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
The Football Writers Association of America selected Arizona State linebacker Owen Long as the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week. Long also earned Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week recognition following his performance in a 24-17 win over Kansas at Wembley Stadium.
Why it matters
Long's recognition underscores his massive defensive impact in the team's narrow victory against Kansas. His contributions were essential to securing the win, especially as the Arizona State offense managed fewer than 250 total yards.
Long recorded 12 total tackles, nine solo stops, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery against Kansas. Arizona State currently holds a 2-1 overall record and a 1-0 conference record.
The players
Owen Long
He is an Arizona State linebacker who transferred from Colorado State after leading the FBS in tackles during the 2025 season.
Football Writers Association of America
This professional organization representing college football writers is responsible for selecting the weekly Bronko Nagurski defensive award recipient.
Big 12 Conference
This collegiate athletic conference oversees competition for Arizona State and Kansas and issues its own weekly player recognition awards.
The details
Long made critical plays late in the game, forcing a fumble at the 22-yard line and intercepting a pass inside the 25-yard line during the fourth quarter. This victory marked the first time Arizona State won a game with under 250 total offensive yards since 2019.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: Arizona State defeated Kansas in London.
October 3, 2026: Arizona State is scheduled to play Baylor.
Season Trajectory
This performance marks a statistical outlier for the program, echoing the 2019 Arizona State offensive production benchmark where the team last secured a win despite low yardage totals. By securing a critical conference win abroad, Arizona State establishes momentum heading into the matchup against Baylor.
Long's transition to a primary defensive playmaker provides a major boost to Arizona State's 1-0 conference record as they prepare for Baylor. His 12-tackle performance significantly alters the team's defensive projections for the rest of the season.
The takeaway
Long's ability to force turnovers in the final quarter proved to be the deciding factor in a game where the offense struggled to gain ground. Fans should monitor his defensive output as a key indicator of Arizona State's potential to remain competitive in Big 12 play.
What happens next
Arizona State plays Baylor on October 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, visit Football.
