CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week after leading Illinois to a 24-23 upset over No. 6 Wisconsin. Hansen had two forced fumbles, 11 tackles, and one sack to lead the Illini to one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history.
Hansen's first forced fumble came on a strip sack of Wisconsin QB Jack Coan, resulting in only the second turnover of the season for Coan. Later, Hansen punched out the ball from Wisconsin All-American and Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor at the Illinois 25-yard line with 7:12 remaining to set up an Illini touchdown drive to cut Wisconsin's lead to 23-21.
Hansen leads the nation with seven forced fumbles, the second-most in a single season in Illinois history. He is the first Big Ten player to force seven fumbles in one season since Whitney Mercilus set the Illinois record of nine in 2011.
Hansen is the second Illinois player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since running back Mikel LeShoure (Nov. 21, 2010).
Hansen's first forced fumble came on a strip sack of Wisconsin QB Jack Coan, resulting in only the second turnover of the season for Coan. Later, Hansen punched out the ball from Wisconsin All-American and Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor at the Illinois 25-yard line with 7:12 remaining to set up an Illini touchdown drive to cut Wisconsin's lead to 23-21.
Hansen leads the nation with seven forced fumbles, the second-most in a single season in Illinois history. He is the first Big Ten player to force seven fumbles in one season since Whitney Mercilus set the Illinois record of nine in 2011.
Hansen is the second Illinois player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since running back Mikel LeShoure (Nov. 21, 2010).
