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B1G announces Players of the Week following Week 1 action

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

While not a big surprise, the B1G announced their Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday with Michigan State junior running back Kenneth Walker III bringing home the honor. Iowa’s Riley Moss was tabbed, Defensive Player of the Week, while Penn State kicker/punter Jordan Stout was the Special Teams Player of the Week and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was named Freshman of the Week.

Offensive Player of the Week

Kenneth Walker III, RB — Michigan State

During MSU’s season opener against Northwestern, Walker III touched the ball for the first time as a Spartan and exploded past the Wildcat defense for a 75-yard touchdown on the Spartans first play from scrimmage. During the first two possessions of the game, Walker III would score two touchdowns and run for 103 yards.

Walker III came to Michigan State in January from Wake Forest by way of the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Over the course of the game, he would add three more touchdowns, including a game-clinching score with under 2-minutes left to put the game out of reach, and would finish with 264 yards on 23 carries.

Defensive Player of the Week

Riley Moss, CB  — Iowa

Also not any surprise, Iowa defensive back Riley Moss has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. The senior cornerback was key to the Hawkeyes getting off to a hot-start during Saturday’s win over Indiana when he returned an interception back 30 yards for a touchdown to give Iowa a 14-0 lead in the first 2:15 of the contest.

Then, with just 1:41 remaining in the first half, Moss perfectly read an Indiana quarterback Michael Penix pass for another pick, and returned it 55 yards for another touchdown to give Iowa a 28-3 lead.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Jordan Stout, P/K — Penn State

Penn State kicker/punter Jordan Stout was named the Special Teams Player of the Week after his dominant punting performance in Penn State’s 16-10 win over Wisconsin.

Stout’s performance averaged just over 53 yards per punt against the Badgers, which included a 76-yard bomb in the second half against — marking the third-longest punt in Nittany Lion history.

Freshman of the Week

C.J. Stroud, QB — Ohio State

C.J. Stroud, a redshirt freshman, was named Freshman of the Week for his performance in Ohio State’s season-opening 45-31 win over Minnesota.

After getting off to a slow start in his first game as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, Stroud finished with 294 yards on 13 completions and 22 attempts after passes that went for touchdowns of 70, 61, 56 and 38 yards in the second half.

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.