Oct. 15, 2012
Offensive Player of the Week
Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Sr., RB, Wentzville, Mo./Timberland
• Became the Big Ten's all-time leader in touchdowns and points after finding the end zone three times against Purdue on Saturday
• Has 72 touchdowns and 434 points in his career, passing the previous marks of 71 and 426 set by Wisconsin's Ron Dayne
• Rushed for a career-high 247 yards, the third 200-yard effort of his career, on 29 carries, including a career-best 67-yard touchdown run in the third quarter
• Wins the fifth Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor of his career and first this season
• Last Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Week: Montee Ball (Nov. 28, 2011)
Defensive Player of the Week
Jake Ryan, Michigan
So., LB, Westlake, Ohio/St. Ignatius
• Matched a career high with a game-best 11 tackles in helping Michigan shut out Illinois on Saturday
• Also posted 3.5 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks, and forced a fumble on his solo sack in the third quarter to set up a Michigan score
• Part of a Michigan defense that allowed just 134 yards, including 29 through the air, and seven first downs
• Wins the first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award of his career
• Last Michigan Defensive Player of the Week: Ryan Van Bergen (Nov. 14, 2011)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Mike Meyer, Iowa
Jr., PK, Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert
• Was a perfect four-for-four in field goal attempts against Michigan State, helping the Hawkeyes to a double-overtime victory on Saturday
• Converted on attempts from 23, 27, 28 and 42 yards, the latter coming in the second overtime to give Iowa the win
• Has made 13 straight field goal attempts and ranks second in the nation in field goals made per game (2.33)
• Wins his third Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week award and second this season
• Last Iowa Special Teams Player of the Week: Mike Meyer (Sept. 3, 2012)
Freshman of the WeekNick VanHoose, NorthwesternCB, Urbana, Ohio/Graham• Broke up three passes in the game, all of which came in the end zone, including one on third-and-goal in the fourth quarter against Minnesota
• Also added three tackles to help Northwestern become bowl eligible with a win over the Gophers
• Was part of the Wildcat defense that held Minnesota to just 169 yards passing on Saturday
• Wins his first Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolade
• Last Northwestern Freshman of the Week: Venric Mark (Nov. 29, 2010)
