Penn State backfield duo among top Big Ten performers in Week 8
This past weekend 10 of the 14 conference teams were in action across five games. Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska were idle but all will return to action in Week 9.
In Week 8 we saw a pair of blowout wins by Ohio State and Penn State as they took care of Big Ten West foes. The two winners will meet in Happy Valley this week. The Buckeyes blew past Iowa 54-10, while the Nittany Lions handled Minnesota 45-17.
Rutgers earned their first Big Ten win at home since 2017 when they defeated Indiana 24-17. Maryland raced past Northwestern 31-24 behind the performance of running back Roman Hemby. Wisconsin was able to slow down the Purdue offense with the 35-24 victory in Madison.
With a new week of games comes the final look back at Week 8 with the top conference performers 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
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Schiano, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Total Votes (6)
Schiano helped lead Rutgers to their first home win in Big Ten play since 2017 when the Scarlet Knights last defeated Purdue and Maryland in back-to-back games before the four-season skid began.
*Also receiving votes: James Franklin, Penn State (2)
Quarterback of the Week
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
CJ Stroud, Ohio State Buckeyes
Total Votes (5)
Stats vs Iowa:
66.7% Comp | 286 Yards | 9.5 YPA | 4 TDs | 1 INT
*Also receiving votes: Sean Clifford, Penn State (4)
Running Back of the Week
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Roman Hemby, Maryland Terrapins
Total Votes (7)
Stats vs Northwestern:
24 Carries | 179 Yards | 7.5 YPC | 3 TDs
*Also receiving votes: Samuel Brown V, Rutgers (2)
Wide Receiver of the Week
Brooke LaValley / USA TODAY NETWORK
Julian Fleming, Ohio State Buckeyes
Total Votes (6)
Stats vs Iowa:
2 Receptions | 105 Yards | 52.5 YPR | 1 TD
Offensive MVP of the Week
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Clifford, Penn State Nittany Lions
Total Votes (5)
Stats vs Minnesota:
74.2% Comp | 295 Yards | 9.5 YPA | 4 TDs | 1 INT
*Also receiving votes: Roman Hemby, Maryland (3)
Defensive MVP of the Week
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
John Torchio, Wisconsin Badgers
Total Votes (5)
Stats vs Purdue:
10 Tackles | 1 PBU | 2 INTs | 1 TD
Honorable mention goes to Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who could really win this award every week. No one stops the Hawkeyes’ offense like Kirk’s son. Tune in next week to see how nepotism goes wrong for Iowa against lowly Northwestern.
Newcomer of the Week
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State Nittany Lions
Total Votes (4)
Stats vs Minnesota:
13 Carries | 79 Yards | 6.1 YPC | 2 TDs | 2 Rec | 28 Yards | 14 YPR
