Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, November 1, 2014
Week 10 of the Big Ten season featured six conference games, highlighted by Maryland's 20-19 come-from-behind victory over Penn State. In addition to several outstanding games, there were also plenty of exceptional individual performers.
Here are my top Week 10 Big Ten individual performances.
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1. Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin. How often is it that you see a backup running back lead the conference in rushing yardage? That was the case this week as Clement racked up 131 yards and two touchdowns in Wisconsin's 37-0 blowout win over Rutgers. The Badgers' sophomore back averaged 9.4 yards per carry in the game and topped the 100-yard rushing mark for the third time this season.
2. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin. Gordon was also outstanding in Wisconsin's win over Rutgers, rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns on the day. His Heisman stock continues to rise as the Badgers' do-it-all back has now totaled 1,296 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, both of which rank among the best in college football. This guy is a stud.
3. John Lowdermilk, S, Iowa. This guy was all over the field in the Hawkeyes' 48-7 victory over Northwestern. Iowa's senior safety recorded 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in the win. Lowdermilk and the Hawkeye defense held Northwestern to just 180 yards of total offense.
4. Drake Johnson, RB, Michigan. Johnson is another backup RB who had a breakout game this week. The Wolverines' redshirt sophomore rushed for a career-high 122 yards and two touchdowns in Michigan's 34-10 win over Indiana. Johnson totaled just 50 rushing yards in his career before his breakout game on Saturday night. Could this be Michigan's answer in the running game? We will see. He sure looked good in this game.
5. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State. Bosa continues to build his case for being the top defensive player in the Big Ten. The sophomore defensive end had four tackles, three of which were for a loss, two sacks and a quarterback hurry in the Buckeyes' 55-14 win over Illinois on Saturday night. What a talent.
6. Devin Gardner, QB, Michigan. Gardner had his best game of the Big Ten season on Saturday. The dual-threat signal caller completed 22-of-29 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns while leading Michigan to a 34-10 victory over Indiana. He also added 18 yards on the ground in the win. This was the first time this season Gardner topped the 200-yard passing mark.
7. Jake Rudock, QB, Iowa. This guy was phenomenal in Iowa's commanding 48-7 win over Northwestern on Saturday. Rudock was efficient in running the Hawkeyes' offense as he completed 12-of-19 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown in the victory. The Hawkeyes' junior QB has now thrown for 200-plus yards and at least one touchdown in five of the seven games he has played in this season.
8. Mark Weisman, RB, Iowa. This was the most complete game Iowa has played all season and RB Mark Weisman was a big reason why. The Hawkeyes' senior back carried the ball 20 times for 94 yards and three touchdowns in Iowa's 48-7 blowout win over Northwestern. Weisman has now totaled 13 rushing touchdown this season, which ranks among the best in the nation.
9. Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan. Ryan was impressive in Michigan's blowout win over Rutgers on Saturday. The Wolverines' senior captain had a team-high 11 tackles, 2.5 of which were for a loss, and forced two fumbles in the victory. Ryan has now recorded double-digit tackles in five of Michigan's nine games this season.
10. Zaire Anderson, LB, Nebraska. Anderson helped carry the Huskers to an impressive 35-14 victory over Purdue on Saturday. Nebraska's senior linebacker totaled a team-high 11 tackles, one of which was for a loss, and provided plenty of pressure on Purdue quarterback Austin Appleby.