Illini linebacker Tre Watson named B1G defensive player of the week

bucshon · Nov 7, 2016

Following Big Ten football games on Nov. 5, the co-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 Players of the Week
Wilton Speight, Michigan
Jr., QB, Richmond, Va./The Collegiate School

Set a career high with 362 passing yards and recorded his first career rushing touchdown in a victory over Maryland
Broke the school record for most passing yards in the first half of a game, throwing for 292 yards
Completed 19 of 24 passes, including two touchdown tosses
Claims his second career Offensive Player of the Week award and second of the season
Last Michigan Offensive Player of the Week: Wilton Speight (Sept. 12, 2016)

Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
Jr., HB, Brooklyn, N.Y./Erasmus

Recorded 173 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in three quarters of play against Nebraska
Tallied eight catches for 137 yards and added 41 rushing yards on five carries
Registered two touchdown catches, including a 75-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the third quarter
Earns his first career Offensive Player of the Week award
Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: J.T. Barrett (Oct. 17, 2016)

Defensive Player of the Week
Tre Watson, Illinois
So., LB, Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic

Tallied a career-high 16 tackles, including four solo stops, in Illinois’ victory over Michigan State
Recorded 1.5 tackles for loss
Added one pass break-up
Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor
Last Illinois Defensive Player of the Week: Tavon Wilson (Oct. 10, 2011)

Special Teams Player of the Week
Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota
So., PK, Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon

Went 3-for-3 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points in Minnesota’s victory over Purdue, including a pair of field goals from more than 50 yards
Converted field goals from 28, 52 and 53 yards, with the 53-yarder setting a new career high
Improved to 16-for-18 on field goal attempts this season for a conversion rate of 88.9 percent
Earns his second career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
Last Minnesota Special Teams Player of the Week: Emmit Carpenter (Oct. 3, 2016)

Freshman of the Week
Connor McGovern, Penn State
OG, Larksville, Pa./Lake-Lehman

Anchored an offensive line that paved the way for 599 yards of total offense against Iowa
Helped the Penn State offense record 359 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, as well as 240 yards and two touchdowns through the air
Leads an offensive line that has helped Penn State score on 14 of its last 18 drives
Wins his first career weekly award
Last Penn State Freshman of the Week: Saquon Barkley (Sept. 21, 2015)

ILLINIMAN38 · Nov 7, 2016