Following Big Ten football games on Sept. 8-9, 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:
Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Nate Stanley, Iowa
So., QB, Menomonie, Wis./Menomonie
Completed 27-of-41 passes for 333 yards and five touchdowns to guide Iowa to a come-from-behind overtime victory at Iowa State
Became the second Big Ten quarterback with at least 300 passing yards and five passing touchdowns without an interception in a road game since 1997 and the first Hawkeye with 300 yards and five touchdowns passing in any game since 1987
Completed passes to nine different receivers
Receives his first career weekly honor
Last Iowa Offensive Player of the Week: LeShun Daniels Jr. (Nov. 21, 2016)
Co-Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Fr., RB, Salem, N.J./Salem
Rushed for 223 yards and three touchdowns to lead Wisconsin to a victory over Florida Atlantic in his first career start
Became the fourth true freshman in program history to rush for 200 yards, joining Alan Ameche, Ron Dayne and Zach Brown
Recorded the most rushing touchdowns in a game by a Wisconsin true freshman since James White tallied four against Austin Peay in 2010
Claims his first career weekly awards
Last Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Week: Melvin Gordon (Nov. 24, 2014)
Last Wisconsin Freshman of the Week: Alex Hornibrook (Sept. 26, 2016)
Defensive Player of the Week
Tyree Kinnel, Michigan
Jr., DB, Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne
Returned his first career interception 28 yards for a touchdown in Michigan’s victory over Cincinnati
Tallied a team-high nine tackles, including eight solo stops
Registered his first career tackle for loss on his first career sack
Collects his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor
Last Michigan Defensive Player of the Week: Jabrill Peppers (Sept. 19, 2016)
Special Teams Player of the Week
J-Shun Harris II, Indiana
Jr., WR, Fishers, Ind./Fishers
Registered his first career punt return touchdown and the first by a Hoosier since 2015 with a 44-yard return in Indiana’s win at Virginia
Finished the game with 109 punt return yards, the most for an Indiana player since 1991
Added a 43-yard return in the second quarter which set up the Hoosiers’ second touchdown of the contest
Earns his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
Last Indiana Special Teams Player of the Week: Griffin Oakes (Nov. 23, 2015)