College Wire’s Big Ten top performers in Week 5
In Week 5 all 14 teams in the Big Ten were in action. There were several close contests and several blowouts. The Ohio State Buckeyes blasted Rutgers 49-10, while Bret Bielema took it to his former team Wisconsin. The Fighting Illini’s 34-10 win over the Badgers sent the Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst packing.
The Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions joined the Buckeyes as they kept their perfect season intact. Each team has started the season 5-0 and 2-0 in conference play. It will be quite the race in the Big Ten East, while the West has six teams tied at 1-1 in conference play. Wisconsin is in the cellar with two conference losses.
With a new week of games comes the final look back at Week 5 with the top conference performers of the week voted on by our Big Ten site editors.
The Voters:
Josh Helmer, Hawkeyes Wire
Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire
Andrew Brewster, Spartans Wire
Kevin McGuire, Nittany Lions Wire
Evan Brederson, Cornhuskers Wire
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire
Kristian Dyer, Rutgers Wire
Asher Low, Badgers Wire
Patrick Conn, Regional Editor
Without further ado, let’s dive into the selections made by our editorial team
Head Coach of the Week
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Bret Bielema, Illinois Fighting Illini
Total Votes (6)
Bielema has breathed life into Illinois football. The Fighting Illini are sitting at 4-1 (1-1) through five games after the 34-10 win over Wisconsin.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Brohm, Purdue (2)
Quarterback of the Week
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland Terrapins
Total Votes (9)
Stats vs Michigan State:
32-41 | 314 Yards | 1 TD | 4 Carries | 18 Yards
Running Back of the Week
The Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY Network
Miyan Williams, Ohio State Buckeyes
Total Votes (7)
Stats vs Rutgers:
21 Carries | 189 Yards | 9.0 YPC | 5 TDs
Wide Receiver of the Week
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Trey Palmer, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Total Votes (7)
Stats vs Indiana:
8 Receptions | 157 Yards | 19.6 YPR | 1 TD
Offensive MVP
Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY Network
Miyan Williams, Ohio State Buckeyes
Total Votes (4)
Williams tied a school record for most touchdown runs in a single game with five. He was the entire offense on this day.
Defensive MVP
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Allen, Purdue Boilermakers
Total Votes (4)
Stats vs Minnesota:
4 Tackles | 2 INTs | 1 PD
Honorable Mention: Steele Chambers, Ohio State (3)
Newcomer of the Week
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Casey Thompson, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Total Votes (2)
Stats vs Indiana:
18-27 | 66.7% Comp | 270 Yards | 2 TDs | 1 Rushing TD
