Big Ten weekly awards led by Penn State and Michigan quarterbacks
(Video courtesy ESPN)
It was a good weekend for quarterbacks in the Big Ten.
Michigan QB Devin Gardner was named Big Ten co-offensive player of the week for his performance in a 42-17 win over Iowa. Gardner, filling in for the injured Denard Robinson, completed 18 of 23 passes for 314 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for 37 yards and another three TDs.
Gardner claimed the award for the second consecutive week after becoming the first Wolverine to score six touchdowns in a game since former QB Steve Smith in 1983.
Penn State QB Matt McGloin split the weekly honor with the Michigan passer as he guided the Nittany Lions to a 45-22 win over Indiana. The former walk-on completed 22 of 32 passes for a career-best 395 yards with four touchdowns.
The senior claimed the award for the second time in his career as he became the program's single-season leader with 251 completions and 3,071 passing yards. He also set a new Penn State standard with 45 career scoring tosses.
Ohio State DT John Simon earned the Big Ten defensive player of the week nod for notching six tackles, including a team-record four sacks, in a 21-14 overtime win against Wisconsin. The senior leads the league with nine sacks and is tied for the team lead with 14.5 tackles for loss. This was the second weekly honor of his career.
Fellow Buckeye WR Corey Brown was awarded the Big Ten special teams player of the week title for the second time this season as he returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown against the Badgers. Brown, who averaged 23 yards on three returns against Wisconsin, also ran a punt back for a score against Nebraska earlier this season.
Meantime, Michigan LB James Ross III and Northwestern WR Dan Vitale split Big Ten freshman of the week honors. Ross had a career-high 12 tackles against the Hawkeyes. Vitale had career-highs in catches (nine) and yards (110 yards) in a 23-20 win at Michigan State. It is the first weekly honor for either player.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.
