Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State and Wisconsin Earn Weekly Football Honors
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Following Week 4 contests, the Big Ten Conference Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week, and the Freshman of the Week were announced this morning. Below are this week's honorees:
Offensive Player of the Week
Bryce Kirtz, Northwestern
WR – Sr. – Brownsburg, Ind. – Brownsburg
Picked up 10 receptions for 215 yards, the fourth highest single-game receiving yard total in school history, and two touchdowns, as Northwestern overcame a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Minnesota 37-34 in overtime
Registered his touchdown grabs on receptions of 80 and 17 yards, with his 80-yard reception ranking tied for sixth for the longest pass play in school history
On his second touchdown catch, Kirtz recorded a catch on all three plays of a drive that went three plays for 69 yards
The three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree earns his first career Offensive Player of the Week award
Last Northwestern Offensive Player of the Week: Ryan Hilinski (Aug. 28, 2022)
Defensive Player of the Week
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
S – Sr. – Tuscon, Ariz. – Salpointe Catholic
Recorded career highs in total tackles (13) and solo tackles (7) to lead the Ohio State defense in its 17-14 victory on the road over No. 9 Notre Dame Saturday
Included in his total was combining on a fourth-and-one stop early in the third quarter with Ohio State leading 10-0
Also recorded a quarterback hurry
Earns the first Defensive Player of the Week accolade of his career
Last Ohio State Defensive Player of the Week: J.T. Tuimoloau (Oct. 31, 2022)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Nathanial Vakos, Wisconsin
K – So. – Avon, Ohio – Avon
Was perfect in Wisconsin's win over Purdue, converting 3-of-3 extra points and 3-of-3 field goals
Hit from 38, 22 and 48 to help the Badgers pull away from the Boilermakers
Becomes the only Big Ten kicker to have a perfect clip while attempting 5+ field goals this season and has made five field goals of 30+ yards on the season
Garners the first Special Teams Player of the Week honor of his career
Last Wisconsin Special Teams Player of the Week: Collin Larsh (Oct. 25, 2021)
Freshman of the Week
Darius Taylor, Minnesota
RB – Detroit, Mich. – Walled Lake Western
Had 216 all-purpose yards at Northwestern as he rushed for 198 yards and had 18 receiving yards
Carried the ball 31 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns at Northwestern for his third straight game with more than 135 rushing yards
Leads the Big Ten is rushing yards (532) and attempts (87), while tying for sixth in rushing yards per carry (6.1 yards per carry) and touchdowns (4)
Earns the third Freshman of the Week honor of his career and his third in as many weeks
Last Minnesota Freshman of the Week: Darius Taylor (Sept. 18, 2023)
2023 Big Ten Football Players of the Week
Sept. 5
O: Drew Allar, So., QG, PSU
D: Miles Scott, So., DB, ILL
D: Tyler Nubin, Sr., S, MINN
S: Dragan Kesich, Sr., K, MINN
F: Dillon Thieneman, DB, PUR
Sept. 11
O: Noah Kim, Jr., QB, MSU
D: Sebastian Castro, Sr., DB, IOWA
S: Jai Patel, So., K, RU
F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN
Sept. 18
O: Kyle Monangai, Jr., RB, RU
D: Hunter Wohler, Jr., S, WIS
S: Braedan Wisloski, Fr., WR, MD
F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN
Sept. 25
O: Bryce Kirtz, Sr., WR, NU
D: Lathan Ransom, Sr., S, OSU
S: Nathanial Vakos, So., K, WIS
F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN