BigTen.org, October 24, 2016

The Big Ten office released its Week 8 Big Ten football award winners Monday. The list features a trio of Penn State players, including the duo responsible for the decisive blocked field goal touchdown return, plus Maryland's first freshman of the week.

Offensive Player of the Week: Rodney Smith, Minnesota, So., RB

  • Recorded 257 all-purpose yards against Rutgers, the most by a Gopher since Troy Stoudermire had 290 against Iowa on Nov. 22, 2008
  • Rushed for 111 yards on 22 carries, including a touchdown, and caught one pass for 27 yards
  • Added 119 kick return yards, including a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter
  • Claims his first career Offensive Player of the Week award
  • Last Minnesota Offensive Player of the Week: David Cobb (Sept. 8, 2014)

***

Defensive Player of the Week: Brandon Bell, Penn State, Sr., LB

  • Tallied a career-high 18 tackles, including seven solo stops, in Penn State?s victory over Ohio State
  • Recorded one sack and one pass breakup as the Nittany Lions registered a season-high 11.0 tackles for loss
  • Made three tackles on Ohio State?s final drive of the contest
  • Earns his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor
  • Last Penn State Defensive Player of the Week: Brandon Smith (Oct. 10, 2016)

***

Co-Special Teams Players of the Week: Marcus Allen, Penn State, Jr., S; Grant Haley, Penn State Jr., CB

  • Allen and Haley teamed up for what proved to be the decisive play in Penn State?s win over Ohio State
  • Allen blocked a 45-yard field goal attempt with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, marking his first career bock
  • Haley recovered the ball and returned it 60 yards for his second career touchdown
  • Both claim their first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
  • Penn State Special Teams Player of the Week: Sam Ficken (Nov. 3, 2014)

***

Freshman of the Week: Lorenzo Harrison, Maryland, RB

  • Recorded his first career 100-yard game, rushing for 105 yards on 17 carries against Michigan State
  • Opened the scoring with an eight-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter
  • His 17 carries marked a career high
  • Wins his first career weekly award
  • Last Maryland Freshman of the Week: N/A