Following Big Ten football games on Oct. 14, the offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week and freshman of the week in the Big Ten were announced this morning. Below are this week’s honorees:
Offensive Player of the Week
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
Sr., QB, Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider
Accounted for seven touchdowns, matching a career high, and 373 yards of total offense in a victory at Nebraska
Completed 27-of-33 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns
Added 48 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns
Receives the eighth Offensive Player of the Week award of his career, tying him with Drew Brees for the third-most in conference history
Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: J.T. Barrett (Sept. 4, 2017)
Defensive Player of the Week
Leon Jacobs, Wisconsin
Sr., LB, San Pedro, Calif./Golden Valley
Paced the Badgers with a personal season-high nine tackles, including four solo stops, in Wisconsin’s victory over Purdue
Recorded the second interception of his career, snagging a Purdue pass at the Wisconsin 11-yard line midway through the fourth quarter
The Badgers went on to run out the clock following Jacobs’ interception
Collects his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor
Last Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week: Natrell Jamerson (Oct. 2, 2017)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Charlie Kuhbander, Northwestern
Fr., K, Springboro, Ohio/Springboro
Became the first freshman kicker in Northwestern history with three field goals in a game as the Wildcats defeated Maryland
Converted all three of his field goal attempts, recording successful attempts from 40, 34 and 32 yards
Went 4-for-4 on extra point attempt to finish the game with 13 points
Earns his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
Last Northwestern Special Teams Player of the Week: Solomon Vault (Oct. 17, 2016)
Freshman of the Week
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Fr., RB, Salem, N.J./Salem
Carried the ball a career-high 30 times for 219 yards with one touchdown against Purdue
Recorded his third 200-yard rushing game of the season, pushing his season rushing total to 986 yards in six contests (164.3 yards per game)
Broke loose for a 67-yard touchdown run on his third carry of the game, notching his third run of 60-plus yards this season
Claims his third career Big Ten Freshman of the Week award
Last Wisconsin Freshman of the Week: Jonathan Taylor (Oct. 9, 2017)
