Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, October 12, 2013
Every Saturday night during the Big Ten football season, BTN.com posts its ?U.S. Marine Corps: Leaders of the Week.? The feature is designed to honor some of the top individual Big Ten performances. Check out our Week 7 stars in this post.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska. The Huskers? junior running back was dominant once again this week in Nebraska's 44-7 blowout win over Purdue. Abdullah carried the ball 20 times for a game-high 126 yards and a touchdown. He broke the 2,000-yard mark in his career, and has now rushed for a touchdown in each of his last three games, matching the longest such streak of his career.
Watch Abdullah's 28-yard TD run:
Jeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State. Langford had a breakout game in the Spartans' 42-28 win over Indiana. The Spartans' junior back rushed for career-high 109 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He also added an 11-yard touchdown reception, which was MSU's first score of the contest. Langford is the first MSU player to rush for more than 100 yards this season.
Watch Langford's 32-yard TD run:
Melvin Gordon and James White, RBs, Wisconsin. This duo continues to make their case for the best running back combination not only in the Big Ten, but throughout the entire country. The Badgers' duo combined for 307 total yards and two touchdowns. Gordon led the way with 172 yards on the ground, while White rushed for 101 yards. This marked the fourth game this season that both Gordon and White have gone over the 100-yard mark.
Watch Gordon's 71-yard TD run:
Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State. Hackenberg continues to solidify his spot as the B1G Freshman of the Year. Hackenberg completed 23-of-44 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns in Penn State's memorable 43-40 win over Michigan in four overtimes. The Nittany Lions' freshman quarterback also added a rushing touchdown in the game.
Watch Hackenberg's 24-yard TD pass to Brandon Felder:
Devin Funchess, TE, Michigan. This sophomore continues to make a name for himself. Funchess caught four passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns in Michigan's 43-40 loss to Penn State. The Wolverines' talented tight end has now recorded back-to-back 100-plus yard games.
Watch Funchess' 59-yard TD catch:
Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin. The Badgers' senior captain was all over the field in Wisconsin's commanding 35-6 victory over Northwestern. Borland recorded a team-high 10 tackles and added a sack and a pass-breakup in the game.