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Week 4 B1G Game Balls
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It’s not easy to hand out game balls when the B1G goes 12-2. I’m not complaining. That’s a good problem to have.
Another guy hit a game-winning field goal. A true freshman was the star in his first game involved in the offense. A veteran defensive end played one of the best games of his four-year career.
The candidates were worthy, and on Saturday, they were aplenty. Without further ado, let’s hand out some make-belief footballs.
Taylor Zalewski, Illinois K: Make it two weeks in a row that I’m showing a kicker love before anybody else. Zalewski stepped up and drilled a 51-yard kick to give Illinois a comeback victory against Middle Tennessee State. Credit Zalewski for shaking off a miss earlier and two last week to earn redemption in game-winning fashion.
Jordan Canzeri, Iowa RB: When you tie a school record, you earn a game ball. That’s a general rule I like to go by. Canzeri scored FOUR touchdowns for Iowa with starter LeShun Daniels still working his way back to full strength. Couple that with C.J. Beathard’s 15-for-15 first half, and it’s no wonder Iowa put up 62 points.
Penn State defensive line: Anthony Zettel had 2.5 tackles for loss and had a fumble recovery despite the fact that he was playing a day after his dad died. Carl Nassib recorded his nation-leading seventh sack. And Austin Johnson had a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. What more do you want?
Clayton Thorson, Northwestern QB: A career-high three touchdown passes were needed after the Wildcats were trailing to Ball State. He hit some wide-open targets, but he stepped up and made the key throws when he needed to. Just like that, the redshirt freshman is leading a soon-to-be top-15 team in the country.
Jordan Howard, Indiana RB: The nation’s leading rusher looked the part yet again. He ripped off 168 yards and fueled the Hoosiers to a nice little road victory at Wake Forest. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do against No. 1 Ohio State next week.
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State LB: So that was why McMillan was so highly touted coming out of high school. The sophomore linebacker was all over the field Saturday and finished with a career-high 16 tackles and a sack. The least experienced member of the Buckeye linebacking core played like a veteran in another stout defensive effort.
Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State DE: A field goal and 2.5 sacks made it one of the more memorable days of Calhoun’s storied career. On a day when the Spartans lacked sparks, Calhoun plenty of life on the defensive side.
Taiwain Deal, Wisconsin RB: The freshman back made Wisconsin fans forget that the starter was sidelined on Saturday night. Deal had a career-high 147 yards and two scores to pace the Badgers to another dominant home win.
Shane Brooks, Minnesota RB: Speaking of freshmen running backs, one had a big day in the Twin Cities, too. On the same day Brooks got his first career carry, he also scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the final 30 seconds. Welcome to the B1G, rookie.
Freedom Akinmoladun, Nebraska DE: Everybody in Lincoln had to be thinking, ‘Here we go again,’ when Southern Mississippi had a chance for a last-second Hail-Mary heave. Then the redshirt freshman demolished Nick Mullens for his second sack of the day, and more importantly, sealed the Nebraska win.
Jake Rudock, Michigan QB: No B1G team played better against a quality opponent than Michigan did on Saturday. It finally all came together for Rudock. He had a touchdown pass to Amara Darboh and even ran in a pair of scores to lift Michigan to its first win over ranked team in two years. For a guy who’s been taking some serious heat, Rudock stepped up and quieted his doubters, at least for one dominant afternoon.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.