BigTen.org, September 12, 2016
The Big Ten office released its Week 2 players of the week on Monday morning. See all four of the honorees here.
Offensive Player of the Week: Wilton Speight, Michigan, Jr., QB
- Threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns in Michigan?s victory over UCF
- Completed 25 of 37 passes with no interceptions while notching the first 300-yard passing game of his career
- Became only the second quarterback in school history to record seven touchdown tosses through the first two games of a season
- Claims the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career
- Last Michigan Offensive Players of the Week: Jehu Chesson and Jake Rudock (Nov. 16, 2015)
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Defensive Player of the Week: Nathan Gerry, Nebraska, Sr., S
- Intercepted a pair of passes in the fourth quarter to help seal Nebraska?s win over Wyoming, notching the first two-interception game of his career
- Led the team lead with seven tackles, including a tackle for loss
- Added one pass breakup while becoming the fifth defensive back in school history to surpass 200 career tackles
- Earns his second career Defensive Player of the Week honor
- Last Nebraska Defensive Player of the Week: Nathan Gerry (Dec. 1, 2014)
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Special Teams Player of the Week: Janarion Grant, Rutgers, Sr., WR
- Recorded 119 yards on three kickoff returns, including an 84-yard touchdown in the first quarter
- Notched his fifth career kickoff return touchdown, tying the Big Ten career record
- Now has seven career kickoff returns of at least 70 yards
- Claims his third career Special Teams Player of the Week honor and first of the season
- Last Rutgers Special Teams Player of the Week: Janarion Grant (Nov. 9, 2015)
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Freshman of the Week: Marcelino Ball, Indiana, S
- Tied for the team lead with eight tackles, with all eight being solo stops
- Recorded the first interception of his career in the second quarter
- Helped the Hoosiers record at least three takeaways for the fourth consecutive game, the longest such streak for the team since 1988-89
- Wins his first career weekly award
- Last Indiana Freshman of the Week: Jonathan Crawford (Sept. 21, 2015)