Tez Johnson, Nick Marsh headline Big Ten's Week 2 awards
Another week of football is in the books, and it’s time to hand out more weekly awards!
In the Big Ten, there were some electric performances, especially in a close game. In fact, 3 of the 4 B1G honors for the week came from games decided by one score.
Here are the full Week 2 Big Ten honors:
Offensive Player of the Week
- RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Monangai set a new career-high with 208 yards against Akron, also tying the 10th-best single-game total in Rutgers’ history. He is the first Rutgers player with 200+ rushing yards since 2014 and continued his streak of 4 consecutive 100-yard games, the longest for a Scarlet Knight since Jawan Jamison in 2011-12 (6 straight).
Defensive Player of the Week
- DB Xavier Scott, Illinois
Scott forced 3 of Kansas’ 4 turnovers in Illinois’ 23-17 upset of the 19th-ranked Jayhawks. The defensive back compiled 2 interceptions, including a pick-6 that swung the momentum ahead of halftime. Scott also forced a fumble, had 1 sack and delivered 8 solo tackles.
Special Teams Player of the Week
- WR Tez Johnson, Oregon
Johnson delivered an 85-yard punt return touchdown for Oregon in the 3rd quarter of the 37-34 win over Boise State. It was the first punt return TD for the Ducks since 2018 (Ugo Amadi). Johnson finished the game with 109 punt-return yards as the first Oregon player with 100+ yards in a game since 2019.
Freshman of the Week
- WR Nick Marsh, Michigan State
Marsh delivered an electric afternoon with 8 catches for 194 yards in his 2nd career game. He scored his first career touchdown via a 77-yard bomb that tied Michigan State’s game with Maryland. It is the 2nd-best single-game receiving effort for a true freshman in Spartan history.