Big Ten Players of the Week - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

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Big Ten Players of the Week

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13abc.com Joe Nugent, Sports Anchor/Reporter - email

The offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week and freshman of the week in the Big Ten for games on Sept. 8 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)