Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 7

Author’s Note: These are not the official Big Ten Players of the Week, but my Big Ten Players of the Week as a writer for Gridiron Heroics.

Offensive Player of the Week:

Aidan O’Connell, Purdue, Quarterback, Senior.

O’Connell was 35 of 54 for 391 yards and four touchdowns in Purdue’s win over Nebraska Saturday night. After an early loss to Penn State and an ugly loss to still undefeated Syracuse I had written O’Connell and Purdue off but the Boilermakers are now tied for first in the Wild Big Ten West with Illinois.

Honorable Mention:

Chase Brown, Illinois, Running Back, Junior.

Chase Brown just keeps churning out yardage. He had 44 touches for 223 yards and a touchdown in Illinois’ victory over Minnesota and has Illinois tied for first place in the Wild Big Ten West.

Trey Palmer, Nebraska, Wide Receiver, Junior.

Despite their loss to Purdue, Trey Palmer had a heck of a game for the Cornhuskers. Palmer had seven catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns and a carry running the ball that he took 60 yards. He’s been the biggest threat in Nebraska’s passing game all year with 47 catches for 781 yards and five touchdowns.

Donovan Edwards, TTUN, Running Back, Sophomore.

Edwards had more yards (173 to 134 ) and as many touchdowns (two) against Penn State as he had had all year up to this game. Blake Corum’s backup took over the show in the wolverines’ big win over Penn State.

Blake Corum, TTUN, Running Back, Junior.

Corum had another game so another day with over 20 (28) carries, over 120 (166) yards, and more than one touchdown (two) for him and another win for the maize and blue.

Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Quarterback, Junior.

Tagovailoa had a good game, going 25 of 39 for 270 yards and three total touchdowns as Maryland moved to 5-2 with their win over Indiana. Tagovailoa had a tough-looking injury that he had to be carted off the field with. Here’s hoping we see him on the field again in 2022.

Defensive Player of the Week:

Jacoby Windmon, Michigan State, Linebacker, Senior.

Jacoby Windmon (4). (Photo by Lauren Snyder | The State News)

Windmon had a day against Wisconsin! He had 11 tackles, two of them for a loss, a forced fumble, and an interception as the Spartans and Mel Tucker got a much-needed win after starting the season 2-4.

Honorable Mention:

Sydney Brown, Illinois, Defensive Back, Junior.

The “Other” Brown brother had five tackles, one pass defended, and a big interception in Illinois’ win!

Special Teams Player of the Week:

Fabrizio Pinton, Illinois, Kicker, Freshman.

Pinton was four of four on field goals and two of two on extra points for a total of 14 points for the Illini as they beat Minnesota, improve to 6-1, and seize control of the Wild Big Ten West.

Big Ten Player of the Year Watch: 

1. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, Quarterback, Junior.

   

   Stroud has over 1,700 yards passing and 24 touchdown passes. He’s improved against the pressure and is finding his tight end more. It’s looking like only Stroud can stop Stroud until The Game on November 26th in a clash of Big Ten titans.

2. Blake Corum, TTUN, Running Back, Junior.

   

   Corum is the best running back in football this year. For the season he has 146 carries for 901 yards and 13 touchdowns. This kid could get close to 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns if things keep going the way they have for him.

3. Chase Brown, Illinois, Running Back, Junior.

   

   Brown has 192 carries for 1,059 yards and six total touchdowns on the season. Even with his low numbers in touchdowns, his yardage has him in the top five best players in the Big Ten so far in 2022.

4. Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Quarterback, Junior.

   

   For the season Taulia Tagovailoa is 171 of 236 for 2,001 yards and 16 total touchdowns. He has Maryland playing their best football since they joined the Big Ten in 2014. Again, we hope the injury he suffered isn’t serious.

5. Aidan O’Connell, Purdue, Quarterback, Senior.

   

   For the year, O’Connell is 178 of 269 for 1,950 yards and 14 touchdowns. If Purdue gets to Indy in December it will be in big part because of O’Connell. As he goes, so go the Boilermakers.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out which Big Ten players are making noise in the race for the Heisman. Also, check out here to see the official Big Ten Players of the Week and compare them! Give me a follow on Twitter and Facebook!

Check out my Big Ten Players of the Week so far this season!

1. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 0
2. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 1
3. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 2
4. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 3
5. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 4
6. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 5 
7. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 6