Following Week 4 contests, the Big Ten Conference Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week, and the Freshman of the Week were announced this morning. Below are this week’s honorees:
Offensive Player of the Week
Bryce Kirtz, Northwestern
WR – Sr. – Brownsburg, Ind. – Brownsburg
- Picked up 10 receptions for 215 yards, the fourth highest single-game receiving yard total in school history, and two touchdowns, as Northwestern overcame a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Minnesota 37-34 in overtime
- Registered his touchdown grabs on receptions of 80 and 17 yards, with his 80-yard reception ranking tied for sixth for the longest pass play in school history
- On his second touchdown catch, Kirtz recorded a catch on all three plays of a drive that went three plays for 69 yards
- The three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree earns his first career Offensive Player of the Week award
- Last Northwestern Offensive Player of the Week: Ryan Hilinski (Aug. 28, 2022)
Defensive Player of the Week
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
S – Sr. – Tuscon, Ariz. – Salpointe Catholic
- Recorded career highs in total tackles (13) and solo tackles (7) to lead the Ohio State defense in its 17-14 victory on the road over No. 9 Notre Dame Saturday
- Included in his total was combining on a fourth-and-one stop early in the third quarter with Ohio State leading 10-0
- Also recorded a quarterback hurry
- Earns the first Defensive Player of the Week accolade of his career
- Last Ohio State Defensive Player of the Week: J.T. Tuimoloau (Oct. 31, 2022)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Nathanial Vakos, Wisconsin
K – So. – Avon, Ohio – Avon
- Was perfect in Wisconsin’s win over Purdue, converting 3-of-3 extra points and 3-of-3 field goals
- Hit from 38, 22 and 48 to help the Badgers pull away from the Boilermakers
- Becomes the only Big Ten kicker to have a perfect clip while attempting 5+ field goals this season and has made five field goals of 30+ yards on the season
- Garners the first Special Teams Player of the Week honor of his career
- Last Wisconsin Special Teams Player of the Week: Collin Larsh (Oct. 25, 2021)
Freshman of the Week
Darius Taylor, Minnesota
RB – Detroit, Mich. – Walled Lake Western
- Had 216 all-purpose yards at Northwestern as he rushed for 198 yards and had 18 receiving yards
- Carried the ball 31 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns at Northwestern for his third straight game with more than 135 rushing yards
- Leads the Big Ten is rushing yards (532) and attempts (87), while tying for sixth in rushing yards per carry (6.1 yards per carry) and touchdowns (4)
- Earns the third Freshman of the Week honor of his career and his third in as many weeks
- Last Minnesota Freshman of the Week: Darius Taylor (Sept. 18, 2023)
2023 Big Ten Football Players of the Week
Sept. 5
O: Drew Allar, So., QG, PSU
D: Miles Scott, So., DB, ILL
D: Tyler Nubin, Sr., S, MINN
S: Dragan Kesich, Sr., K, MINN
F: Dillon Thieneman, DB, PUR
Sept. 11
O: Noah Kim, Jr., QB, MSU
D: Sebastian Castro, Sr., DB, IOWA
S: Jai Patel, So., K, RU
F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN
Sept. 18
O: Kyle Monangai, Jr., RB, RU
D: Hunter Wohler, Jr., S, WIS
S: Braedan Wisloski, Fr., WR, MD
F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN
Sept. 25
O: Bryce Kirtz, Sr., WR, NU
D: Lathan Ransom, Sr., S, OSU
S: Nathanial Vakos, So., K, WIS
F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN