Big Ten Releases Week 11 Honors

The Big Ten released its weekly football honors for Week 11 action on Monday. A half-dozen players received recognition, headlined by Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson and Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short. See all the winners in this post.

Offensive Player of the Week: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin, Sr., QB, Richmond, Va./Collegiate

• Was nearly perfect in Wisconsin?s win over Minnesota, completing 16 of 17 passes for 178 yards and four touchdowns, including connecting on all 13 of his passes for 162 yards and three scores in the first half
• His 94.1 completion percentage ranks as the fourth highest in a game in Big Ten history
• Became just the 13th quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision to pass for 100 or more touchdowns in his career
• Claims his third weekly honor of the season and of his career
• Last Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Week: Montee Ball (Nov. 7, 2011)

Co-Defensive Players of the Week: Kawann Short, Purdue, Jr., DT, East Chicago, Ind./East Chicago Central

• Posted a career-high three sacks in Purdue?s win over Ohio State
• Recorded six total tackles, including four solo stops, in the overtime win
• Claims his second weekly honor of the season and of his career
• Last Purdue Defensive Player of the Week: Kawann Short (Oct. 24, 2011)

Ryan Van Bergen, Michigan, Sr., DE, Whitehall, Mich./Whitehall

• Recorded seven tackles, including a career-high 2.5 sacks, as Michigan defeated Illinois on the road
• His three tackles for loss and seven tackles tie a personal best
• Was part of a Michigan defense that held the Illini to 37 yards rushing, more than 160 yards below their season average
• Claims the first weekly honor of his career
• Last Michigan Defensive Player of the Week:  Brandon Herron (Sept. 5, 2011)

Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: Brett Maher, Nebraska, Jr., K, Kearney, Neb./Kearney

• Averaged 45.0 yards per punt on eight punts, placing five inside the 20-yard line
• Had two punts of 50 yards or more with a long of 61 that came in the game?s final five minutes
• Converted on a 41-yard field goal and is now 16-of-19 on field goal attempts this season
• Claims his third career weekly Big Ten honor
• Last Nebraska Special Teams Player of the Week: Brett Maher (Oct. 10, 2011)

Bruce Gaston, Purdue, So., DT, Chicago, Ill./St. Rita

• Blocked a potential game-winning extra point by Ohio State with 55 seconds remaining to force overtime
• Allowed Purdue to secure its second straight home victory over the Buckeyes
• Claims the first weekly honor of his career
• Last Purdue Special Teams Player of the Week: Kawann Short (Oct. 11, 2010)

Freshman of the Week: Mike Sadler, Michigan State, P, Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern

• Averaged a season-best 46.2 yards per punt on six kicks for 277 yards in Michigan State?s win over Iowa
• Placed three punts inside the Hawkeye 20-yard line, increasing his total to 17 such efforts this season
• Claims his second Freshman of the Week honor
• Last Michigan State Freshman of the Week: Mike Sadler (Oct. 17, 2011)