College Wire’s Big Ten top performers in Week 3
This past week in the Big Ten saw a total of 13 games. The only team on a bye this week was the Illinois Fighting Illini. The conference finished 9-4 in those games and plenty of these nonconference matchups weren’t close.
Seven of the 13 contests were decided by three or more touchdowns, only one came in a losing effort thanks to Nebraska’s performance against Oklahoma.
With a new week of games comes the final look back at Week 3 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
Without further ado, let’s dive into the selections made by our editorial team:
Head Coach of the Week
Jake Crandall/USA TODAY Network
James Franklin, Penn State
Total Votes: 6
The Penn State Nittany Lions head coach gets the nod this week after knocking off the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare, 41-12. It was Auburn’s worst home loss since 2012 against Georgia. The Nittany Lions dominated the SEC opposition to improve to 3-0.
Receiving Votes:
Ryan Day, Ohio State
P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
Quarterback of the Week
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Total Votes: 7
It was easy work for Stroud and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday against an in-state foe, Toledo. The offense racked up 763 yards of offense with 36 first downs on 78 plays.
Week 3 Stats vs Toledo:
22/27 | 367 Yards | 13.6 YPA | 5 TDs
Receiving Votes:
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
Running Back of the Week
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
Total Votes: 7
Ibrahim and the Golden Gophers ran all over the Colorado Buffaloes’ defense to the tune of 334 yards rushing. They averaged 6.4 yards per attempt and Ibrahim led the way. The first three scores of the game came on runs of 5, 2, and 18 yards from Ibrahim.
Week 3 Stats vs Colorado:
23 Carries | 202 Yards | 8.8 YPC | 3 TDs
Receiving Votes:
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Wide Receiver of the Week
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Charlie Jones, Purdue
Total Votes: 5
It was a wild and chaotic finish in the Purdue-Syracuse game but the Boilermakers came up short in this clash. Jones came up with a 55-yard touchdown grab with 6:41 left in the game to get Purdue within three. Syracuse ended up winning with a touchdown pass with just seven seconds remaining. Jones was a big reason why they had an opportunity to win but it just wasn’t meant to be.
Week 3 Stats vs Syracuse:
11 Rec | 188 Yards | 17.09 YPR | 1 TD
Also Receiving Votes:
Marvin Harrison II, Ohio State
Offensive MVP of the Week
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
CJ Stroud, Ohio State
Total Votes: 4
Stroud edged out Mohamed Ibrahim, Nicholas Singleton, and Sean Clifford this week.
Defensive MVPs of the Week
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Herbig, Wisconsin
Week 3 Stats vs New Mexico State:
3 Tackles | 2 Solo | 1.5 TFLs | 1 Sack
Abdul Carter, Penn State
Week 3 Stats vs Auburn:
6 Tackles | 6 Solo | 1.0 TFL | 1 Sack | 1 FF | 1 PBU
These two defenders made their presence felt on Saturday. They each received two votes.
Newcomer of the Week
Jake Crandall/USA TODAY Network
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Total Votes: 6
Singleton just couldn’t be stopped by the Auburn defense. He only carried the ball 10 times but he made each one of them count.
Week 3 Stats vs Auburn:
10 Carries | 124 Yards | 12.4 YPC | 2 TDs
