CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois running back Aidan Laughery was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career-high marks, to lead Illinois to a 38-28 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. He scored on runs of 64, 31, and 30 yards, while averaging over 14 yards per carry.
Laughery's first touchdown gave Illinois a 7-3 lead, while his second and third touchdowns each turned a one-possession game into two-possession Illini leads during the second half.
Laughery became the third player to run for 170+ yards and 3+ touchdowns in a Big Ten game this season (Kaleb Johnson, Iowa at Minnesota; Tawee Walker, Wisconsin at Rutgers), and he became the third Power-4 player to rush for 14.0+ yards per carry on 10+ carries this season (Bhayshul Tutten, Virginia Tech vs. Boston College; Jalen Milroe, Alabama at LSU).
Illinois finished the regular season at 9-3 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten after the win over Northwestern. The Illini are ranked No. 21 in this week's AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll.
Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career-high marks, to lead Illinois to a 38-28 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. He scored on runs of 64, 31, and 30 yards, while averaging over 14 yards per carry.
Laughery's first touchdown gave Illinois a 7-3 lead, while his second and third touchdowns each turned a one-possession game into two-possession Illini leads during the second half.
Laughery became the third player to run for 170+ yards and 3+ touchdowns in a Big Ten game this season (Kaleb Johnson, Iowa at Minnesota; Tawee Walker, Wisconsin at Rutgers), and he became the third Power-4 player to rush for 14.0+ yards per carry on 10+ carries this season (Bhayshul Tutten, Virginia Tech vs. Boston College; Jalen Milroe, Alabama at LSU).
Illinois finished the regular season at 9-3 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten after the win over Northwestern. The Illini are ranked No. 21 in this week's AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll.
