Jonathan Babineaux, DT, Atlanta Falcons (Iowa) - Recorded three tackles and a sack in the Falcons' 30-28 win over the Seahawks.

Alan Ball, DB, Houston Texans (Illinois) - Recorded two solo tackles in the Texans' 41-28 loss to the Patriots.

NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers (Penn State) - Recorded six tackles, including five solo, and two pass deflections in San Francisco's 45-31 win against Green Bay.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (Michigan) - Threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns on 25-of-40 passing in New England's 41-28 win over Houston.

Marquice Cole, CB, New England Patriots (Northwestern) - Tallied three tackles, including one solo, in New England's 41-28 win over Houston.

Mike Daniels, DE, Green Bay Packers (Iowa) - Recorded two tackles in the Packers' 45-31 loss to the 49ers.

Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans (Wisconsin) - Caught a team-high nine passes for 81 yards in the Texans' 41-28 loss to the Patriots.

Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos (Minnesota) - Had a team-high 84 yards on six receptions in Denver's 38-35 double-overtime loss to Baltimore.

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, New England Patriots (Nebraska) - Tallied three tackles, including two solo, in the Patriots' 41-28 win over the Texans.

A.J. Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers (Ohio State) - Recorded eight tackles, including six solo, in the Packers' 45-31 loss to the 49ers.

Sam Koch, P, Baltimore Ravens (Nebraska) - Averaged 48.3 yards on eight punts, pinning six inside the 20-yard line, in the Ravens' 38-35 double-overtime win against the Broncos.

Jim Leonhard, S, Denver Broncos (Wisconsin) - Registered two solo tackles in Denver's 38-35 double-overtime loss to Baltimore.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, New England Patriots (Illinois) - Caught five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 41-28 win over the Texans.

Whitney Mercilus, LB, Houston Texans (Illinois) - Registered two tackles in Houston's 41-28 loss to New England.

Zoltan Mesko, P, New England Patriots (Michigan) - Averaged 52.8 yards on five punts, including a long of 64 yards, and pinned two inside the 20-yard line in New England's 41-28 win against Houston.

Rob Ninkovich, DL, New England Patriots (Purdue) - Recorded four tackles, including two solo and one for loss, and two pass deflections in the Patriots' 41-28 win over the Texans.

Ryan Pickett, DT, Green Bay Packers (Ohio State) - Recorded four tackles, including three solo, in the Packers' 45-31 loss to the 49ers.

Bernard Pollard, S, Baltimore Ravens (Purdue) - Recorded two tackles and a pass deflection in the Ravens' 38-35 double-overtime win over the Broncos.

Barrett Ruud, LB, Houston Texans (Nebraska) - Notched five tackles, including two solo, in Houston's 41-28 loss to New England.

Kevin Vickerson, DT, Denver Broncos (Michigan State) - Registered four tackles, including two solo, in the Broncos' 38-35 double-overtime loss to the Ravens.

J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (Wisconsin) - Tallied four tackles and half a sack in the Texans' 41-28 loss to the Patriots.

Donte Whitner, S, San Francisco 49ers (Ohio State) - Recorded four tackles in the 49ers' 45-31 win over the Packers.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Wisconsin) - Threw for 385 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-36 passing and rushed for 60 yards and a score in the Seahawks' 30-28 loss to the Falcons.

Tavon Wilson, DB, New England Patriots (Illinois) - Tallied three tackles, including two solo, in the Patriots' 41-28 win over the Texans.

Charles Woodson, S, Green Bay Packers (Michigan) - Registered six tackles, including five solo, and two pass deflections in Green Bay's 45-31 loss to San Francisco.

Pat Angerer, LB, Indianapolis Colts (Iowa) - Recorded six tackles, including four solo, in the Colts' 24-9 loss to the Ravens.

Alan Branch, DT, Seattle Seahawks (Michigan) - Registered five tackles, including three solo, and a sack in the Seahawks' 24-14 win over the Redskins.

Josh Brown, K, Cincinnati Bengals (Nebraska) - Nailed both field goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards, and an extra point in the Bengals' 19-13 loss to the Texans.

Nate Clements, CB, Cincinnati Bengals (Ohio State) - Recorded nine tackles, including eight solo, in the Bengals' 19-13 loss to the Texans.

Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans (Wisconsin) - Had a team-high nine receptions for 96 yards in the Texans' 19-13 win over the Bengals.

Chad Greenway, LB, Minnesota Vikings (Iowa) - Notched 11 tackles, including 10 solo, in the Vikings' 24-10 loss to the Packers.

Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals (Ohio State) - Recorded four tackles and a pass deflection in Cincinnati's 19-13 loss to Houston.

Michael Jenkins, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Ohio State) - Caught three passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 24-10 loss to the Packers.

Domata Peko, DT, Cincinnati Bengals (Michigan State) - Recorded four tackles, including three solo, in Cincinnati's 19-13 loss to Houston.

Bernard Pollard, S, Baltimore Ravens (Purdue) - Recorded four solo tackles and two pass deflections in Baltimore's 24-9 defeat of Indianapolis.

J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (Wisconsin) - Registered five solo tackles, including two for loss, one sack and two pass deflections in the Texans' 19-13 win over the Bengals.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Wisconsin) - Threw for 187 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-26 passing and rushed for 67 yards in the Seahawks' 24-14 victory over the Redskins.

Antoine Winfield, CB, Minnesota Vikings (Ohio State) - Recorded four tackles in Minnesota's 24-10 loss to Green Bay.

Charles Woodson, S, Green Bay Packers (Michigan) - Recorded six tackles, including four solo, and one for loss in the Packers' 24-10 win over the Vikings.

With bowl season complete, six Big Ten schools received votes in the final Associated Press (AP) or USA Today coaches polls, while four teams appeared among the top 25. The Big Ten and SEC were the only conferences to feature four or more top-25 teams in the final polls. Ohio State led the way for the Big Ten and ended the season ranked No. 3 in the AP poll, the highest finish for a conference school since the Buckeyes concluded the 2006 campaign rated second in the country. It was the 10th straight season with at least one Big Ten team among the final top 10. After a victory in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, Northwestern was voted No. 16 by the coaches and No. 17 by the media. The last time the Wildcats ended the season among the top 25 was following the 1996 campaign, when they were rated No. 15 in the AP poll and No. 16 in the coaches' rankings. Michigan and Nebraska also ended the season among the top 25, with the Wolverines rated No. 24 by the media and just outside the top 25 by the coaches and the Cornhuskers ranked No. 25 in the AP poll and No. 23 in the USA Today vote. Penn State and Wisconsin also received votes in the final polls.

With the NFL playoffs beginning on Saturday, 80 former student-athletes from current Big Ten schools appear on the active rosters of playoff teams. The Big Ten is one of two conferences to have every school with at least two players on playoff rosters and eight Big Ten schools feature six or more standouts taking the field during the postseason.

 

Only 13 college football programs will feature 10 or more former players in the playoffs, including Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin. The Buckeyes lead all Big Ten teams and are third among all schools with 14 former student-athletes taking the field. The Hawkeyes and Badgers are tied for ninth nationally with 10 standouts each. Michigan State will be represented by nine student-athletes, Illinois and Nebraska each have seven players on playoff rosters, while Michigan and Penn State check in with six each. Purdue will have five players in the postseason, while Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern each have two.

 

New England leads all playoff squads with 11 former Big Ten standouts on the active roster, including Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady (Michigan). San Francisco features 10 Big Ten players, including two Pro Bowlers in linebacker NaVorro Bowman (Penn State) and safety Donte Whitner (Ohio State).  Cincinnati and Houston each have nine Big Ten standouts on their rosters, including Texans' Pro Bowl defensive end J.J. Watt (Wisconsin).

NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers (Penn State) - Tallied five tackles, including four solo, and a pass deflection in the 49ers' 27-13 win over the Cardinals.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (Michigan) - Threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-36 passing in New England's 28-0 win over Miami.

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints (Purdue) - Threw for 396 yards and four scores on 29-of-43 passing in the Saints' 44-38 loss to the Panthers.

Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Nebraska) - Recorded six tackles, including one for loss, one sack and a pass deflection in the Bucs' 22-17 win over the Falcons.

Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (Illinois) - Recorded five tackles, three pass deflections and two interceptions in the Colts' 28-16 win over the Texans.

Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos (Minnesota) - Reeled in seven receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos' 38-3 victory over the Chiefs.

Larry Foote, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Michigan) - Tallied nine tackles, including one for loss, in the Steelers' 24-10 win over the Browns.

Charles Godfrey, S, Carolina Panthers (Iowa) - Recorded four tackles, one interception and a pass deflection in the Panthers' 44-38 win over the Saints.

Domata Peko, DT, Cincinnati Bengals (Michigan State) - Recorded six tackles, including one for loss, and a pass deflection in Cincinnati's 23-16 win over Baltimore.

Paul Posluszny, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars (Penn State) - Recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including two for loss, and two sacks in the Jaguars' 38-20 loss to the Titans.

Nick Roach, LB, Chicago Bears (Northwestern) - Tallied eight tackles and a pass deflection in the Bears' 26-24 win over the Lions.

J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (Wisconsin) - Registered four tackles for loss and a pass deflection in the Texans' 28-16 loss to the Colts.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Wisconsin) - Threw for 250 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-19 passing and ran for 58 yards and a score in the Seahawks' 20-13 victory over the Rams.

NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers (Penn State) - Tallied a team-high 16 tackles in the 49ers' 42-13 loss to the Seahawks.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (Michigan) - Threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-41 passing in New England's 23-16 win over Jacksonville.

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints (Purdue) - Threw for 446 yards and three scores on 37-of-53 passing in the Saints' 34-31 overtime win over the Cowboys.

Josh Brown, K, Cincinnati Bengals (Nebraska) - Nailed two of three field goals, including a game-winning 43 yarder, in the Bengals' 13-10 win over the Steelers.

Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos (Minnesota) - Reeled in six receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos' 34-12 victory over the Browns.

Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets (Iowa) - Ran for 38 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 42 yards in the Jets' 27-17 loss to the Chargers.

A.J. Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers (Ohio State) - Recorded seven tackles, including three for loss, and two sacks in the Packers' 55-7 win over the Titans.

Lance Kendricks, TE, St. Louis Rams (Wisconsin) - Reeled in four receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 28-13 win over the Bucs.

Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Washington Redskins (Purdue) - Recorded five tackles, including two for loss, and two sacks in Washington's 27-20 win over Philadelphia.

James Laurinaitis, LB, St. Louis Rams (Ohio State) - Registered a team-high 12 tackles, including 11 solo, and two pass deflections in the Rams' 28-13 win over the Bucs.

Corey Liuget, DE, San Diego Chargers (Illinois) - Recorded five tackles and two sacks in San Diego's 27-17 win over the New York Jets.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, New England Patriots (Illinois) - Pulled in six catches for 62 yards in the Patriots' 23-16 win over the Jaguars.

Shaun Phillips, LB, San Diego Chargers (Purdue) - Recorded four tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the Chargers' 27-17 win over the Jets.

J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (Wisconsin) - Registered three tackles, including two for loss, one sack and a forced fumble in the Texans' 23-6 loss to the Vikings.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Wisconsin) - Threw for 171 yards and four touchdowns on 15-of-21 passing and ran for 29 yards in the Seahawks' 42-13 victory over the 49ers.

Antoine Winfield, CB, Minnesota Vikings (Ohio State) - Recorded five tackles, including two for loss, one sacks and a pass deflection in the Vikings' 23-6 win over the Texans.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced the names of 15 faculty athletics representatives who will be honored as part of the 2012 NFF Faculty Salute Initiative, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, honoring the significant contributions of faculty athletics representatives across the nation. Included among the group of honorees are Nebraska's Josephine Potuto and Northwestern's Robert Gundlach. Both schools produced a 2012 NFF National Scholar-Athlete - the Cornhuskers' Rex Burkhead and the Wildcats' Patrick Ward.

"For more than 150 years, faculty athletics representatives have played a critical role in the overall educational experience of our country's student-athletes," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "We are proud to join with Fidelity to highlight their contributions and pivotal support in ensuring that our nation's student-athletes succeed on and off the field."

Launched in 2011 by Fidelity and the NFF, the initiative is an extension of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Program that provides postgraduate scholarships for college football's elite student-athletes. Fidelity, which is also the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, has taken on a leadership role with the initiative as a natural extension of its ongoing support of the scholar-athlete ideal and commitment to higher education nationwide. As part of the initiative, each school with an NFF National Scholar-Athlete receives recognition for their faculty athletics representative, and a $5,000 donation per school ($75,000 total) from Fidelity will be made to support the academic support services for student-athletes at each school.

"Honoring the faculty athletics representatives from the schools with NFF National Scholar-Athletes makes perfect sense," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "There is no group more committed to the well-being of our student-athletes, and the NFF National Scholar-Athlete success stories provide a natural vehicle for emphasizing the important contributions of the faculty athletics representatives in ensuring a strong connection between the academic and athletic experiences of our nation's student-athletes."

Penn State's Bill O'Brien was named the Maxwell Football Club (MFC) Collegiate Coach of the Year, the second straight year a Big Ten coach has been honored. Michigan's Brady Hoke was named national coach of the year by the MFC last season. The MFC has honored a national coach of the year since 1989 and Big Ten mentors have now been selected on eight occasions.

O'Brien led the Nittany Lions to victories in eight of their final 10 games, earning an 8-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the conference, with the only losses coming to division winners Nebraska and Ohio State. Penn State reeled off five consecutive victories after an 0-2 start and won its first three Big Ten road games. O'Brien was named the Big Ten's Dave McClain (media) and Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year (coaches).

NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers (Penn State) - Tallied a team-high 12 tackles, including nine solo and one for loss, in the 49ers' 41-34 win over the Patriots.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (Michigan) - Threw for 443 yards and one touchdown on 36-of-65 passing in New England's 41-34 loss to San Francisco.

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints (Purdue) - Threw for 307 yards and four scores on 26-of-39 passing in the Saints' 41-0 win over the Bucs.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins (Michigan State) - Threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns on 26-of-37 passing in Washington's 38-21 win over Cleveland.

Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos (Minnesota) - Reeled in eight receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' 34-17 victory over the Ravens.

Larry Foote, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Michigan) - Totaled six tackles in the Steelers' 27-24 overtime loss to the Cowboys.

Brandon Graham, DE, Philadelphia Eagles (Michigan) - Recorded six tackles, including one for loss, and 2.5 sacks in the Eagles' 34-13 loss to the Bengals.

Chad Greenway, LB, Minnesota Vikings (Iowa) - Recorded a team-high 14 tackles, including 13 solo and two for loss, and one sack in the Vikings' 36-22 win over the Rams.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, New England Patriots (Illinois) - Pulled in 10 catches for 190 yards in the Patriots' 41-34 loss to the 49ers.

Paul Posluszny, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars (Penn State) - Registered a team-high 10 tackles, including nine solo, in the Jaguars' 24-3 loss to the Dolphins.

J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (Wisconsin) - Totaled a team-high 10 tackles, including six for loss, and three sacks in the Texans' 29-17 win over the Colts.

Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals (Ohio State) - Rushed for 67 yards and three touchdowns in the Cardinals' 38-10 win over the Lions.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Wisconsin) - Threw for 205 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-23 passing and ran for 92 yards and three scores in the Seahawks' 50-17 victory over the Bills.

Jason Avant, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (Michigan) - Hauled in seven catches for 133 yards in the Eagles' 23-21 win over the Bucs.

NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers (Penn State) - Tallied a team-high eight tackles, including six solo, in the 49ers' 27-13 win over the Dolphins.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (Michigan) - Threw for 296 yards and four touchdowns on 21-of-35 passing in New England's 42-14 win over Houston.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins (Michigan State) - Threw the game-tying touchdown and scored on a two-point conversion run with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, helping Washington to a 31-28 overtime victory over Baltimore.

Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Nebraska) - Tied for a team-high with nine tackles and recorded a sack in the Bucs' 23-21 loss to the Eagles.

Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (Illinois) - Recorded eight tackles, including three for loss, one sack and a pass deflection in the Colts' 27-23 win over the Titans.

Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos (Minnesota) - Reeled in eight receptions for 88 yards in the Broncos' 26-13 victory over the Raiders.

Larry Foote, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Michigan) - Totaled seven tackles in the Steelers' 34-24 loss to the Chargers.

Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets (Iowa) - Ran for 77 yards and a touchdown in the Jets' 17-10 win over the Jaguars.

A.J. Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers (Ohio State) Recorded eight tackles in the Packers' 27-20 win over the Lions.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, New England Patriots (Illinois) - Pulled in seven catches for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 42-14 win over the Texans.

Bernard Pollard, S, Baltimore Ravens (Purdue) - Notched eight tackles in the Ravens' 31-28 overtime loss to the Redskins.

Paul Posluszny, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars (Penn State) - Registered a team-high 11 tackles, including 10 solo, in the Jaguars' 17-10 loss to the Jets.

Anthony Spencer, LB, Dallas Cowboys (Purdue) - Recorded a team-high 11 tackles and two sacks in the Cowboy's 20-19 victory over the Bengals.

Cameron Wake, LB, Miami Dolphins (Penn State) - Racked up six tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in Miami's 27-13 loss to San Francisco.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Wisconsin) - Threw for 148 yards and a touchdown on 7-of-13 passing in the Seahawks' 58-0 victory over the Cardinals.