Week 5 B1G Game Balls: Clutch performances steal show
It was another wild week in the B1G.
Game-winning field goals, walk-off overtime touchdowns and road upsets all made it an entertaining week in the B1G.
Here were the stars who shined brightest and earned Week 5 B1G Game Balls:
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State QB — How about the day the Buckeye quarterback had? He delivered his seventh game with four-plus touchdowns. And oh, by the way, he also broke the all-time Ohio State record for career touchdown passes. This guy is only four games into his junior season. In all likelihood, he’s going to make that mark unreachable by the time he’s done in Columbus.
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan CB — I mean…
Amara Darboh, Michigan WR — Michigan was desperate for a big offensive play late. In a game that had few of those, Darboh came up with the biggest. A perfect throw and catch gave the Wolverines the lead for good against an impressive Wisconsin team. Even when the Wolverines were struggling offensively more than they had all year, Darboh still stepped up in the game’s crucial moments.
T.J. Watt, Wisconsin LB — For the second straight week, Watt was a force. It didn’t come in a winning effort this time, but that was no fault of Watt’s. He and Jack Cichy were all over the place for the Badgers. He finished the day with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. If his team came out with a win, Watt could’ve been looking at back-to-back B1G Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Saquon Barkley, Penn State RB — Fittingly, Barkley delivered the best moment of Penn State’s season. His walk-off touchdown was classic Barkley. One ridiculous juke and pay dirt. Barkley was not at 100 percent. Take away that 35-yard touchdown run and that’s arguably the worst game of Barkley’s career with just 38 rushing yards. Instead, it might’ve been his best moment to date.
Terrell Newby, Nebraska RB — Nebraska took the lead against Illinois with its longest drive (10:42) in 16 years. Sixteen years! A lot of that was Newby, who plowed his way for first down after first down to set up his go-ahead touchdown. Newby finished the day with 140 yards and two scores. Even better? The guy who hadn’t exceeded 11 carries got 27 on Saturday. Get him some ice.
Austin Carr, Northwestern WR — What offensive woes? Northwestern has a star in Austin Carr (forgive the horrible rhyme). The Wildcat wideout came down with three touchdown catches on the road to stun Iowa. If you’re keeping track, that’s now four straight games for Carr with at least 70 receiving yards and a touchdown. Finally, Northwestern has itself a vertical threat.
Ifeadi Odenigbo, Northwestern DL — C.J. Beathard had to be sick of Odenigbo by the end of Saturday. The Iowa quarterback was up close and personal with him more often than he was with his offensive line. Odenigbo racked up FOUR sacks of the Iowa quarterback, which is no small task. Without him, the Wildcats don’t pick up their most impressive win of 2016.
Ty Johnson, Maryland RB — Does anybody else want to see what Johnson can do with 20 carries? Goodness gracious, this guy is good. Johnson hit the 200-yard mark on just seven carries Saturday. He averaged 29 yards (!) per carry. On the season, Johnson now has 333 rushing yards on 28 attempts. He can’t even get more work because of how good Lorenzo Harrison has been. That Maryland ground game is no joke.
Patrick Nelson, Illinois LB — Lost in the shuffle of Illinois’ loss on Saturday was the fact that Nelson finished the game with 16 tackles. The redshirt freshman had the single-game high for an Illini player this season. By the way, that was his first career start. You think he gets the nod next week, too?
Griffin Oakes, Indiana K — Hey, you’re only as good as your last kick, right?