Story courtesy of the Big Ten Conference
Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletics
The offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week and freshman of the week in the Big Ten for games on Sept. 22 were announced this morning. Below are this week's honorees:
Offensive Player of the Week
Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State
Jr., RB, Columbus, Ohio/Groveport Madison
· Finished with a career-high 253 yards rushing, the sixth-highest single-game total in school history, and a touchdown to help Michigan State defeat Eastern Michigan on Saturday
· Recorded his second career 200-yard rushing day and second this season, having rushed for 210 yards in a season-opening win against nationally ranked Boise State
· Became the 16th player in Michigan State history to reach 2,000 career rushing yards, while his 26 total touchdowns is 15th on the school’s all-time list
· Records his second Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week selection this season
· Last Michigan State Offensive Player of the Week: Le’Veon Bell (Sept. 3, 2012)
Defensive Player of the Week
Chris Borland, Wisconsin
Jr., LB, Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter
· Finished with 12 tackles, including 3.5 stops for loss and a career-best two sacks, to pace the Badger defense in a victory over UTEP on Saturday
· Notches the 10th double-digit tackling effort of his career and first this season, while also posting two pass breakups
· Part of a Badger defense that held UTEP to 77 rushing yards on 33 attempts and only 5-for-18 on third-downs
· Records his fourth career Defensive Player of the Week honor, tied for second-most in conference history
· Last Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week: Chris Borland (Nov. 21, 2011)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
So., PR, Homewood, Ala./Homewood
· Returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in Nebraska’s victory over Idaho State on Saturday
· Marked Nebraska’s first punt return touchdown since October 2010
· Also added 49 rushing yards and finished the day with 129 all-purpose yards
· Earns his second Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week award
· Last Nebraska Special Teams Player of the Week: Brett Maher (Nov. 14, 2011)
Freshman of the Week
Imani Cross, Nebraska
RB, Gainesville, Ga./North Hall
· Rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in Nebraska’s victory over Idaho State on Saturday
· Scored on a 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter
· Recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game, helping the Huskers to 385 yards on the ground
· Wins his first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor
· Last Nebraska Freshman of the Week: Ameer Abdullah (Sept. 12, 2011)