Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 8

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.

Co-Offensive Player of the Week:

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

He was 20 of 30 for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Stroud was stymied in the first half but after an early interception in the second half when 10 of 12 for 182 yards and four touchdowns as the Buckeyes wrecked the top-five ranked Iowa defense.

Sean Clifford, Penn State, Quarterback, Senior.

Clifford was 23 of 31 for 295 yards and four touchdowns in Penn State’s blowout win over Minnesota. The Nittany Lions got back to their roots in the passing game of getting one-on-one matchups and letting their receivers make a play over the defender. Clifford and his receivers looked sharp ahead of Penn State hosting the team from Clifford’s home state next week in the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Co-Defensive Players of the Week:

John Torchio, Wisconsin, Safety, Senior.

Torchio had 10 tackles in Wisconsin’s win over Purdue. More importantly, he had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. On the season he has five interceptions, two of them pick-sixes.

Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, Linebacker, Senior.

Eichenberg had seven tackles, a tackle for a loss, a pass breakup, and an interception he returned for a touchdown as the Buckeye defense played lights out against the Hawkeyes, forcing six turnovers and holding Iowa to only 189 total yards.

Honorable Mention:

Roman Hemby, Maryland, Running Back, Freshman.

Hemby had 24 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns in Maryland’s win over Northwestern. With Taulia Tagovailoa out, the Terps leaned on the running game and Hemby carried the rock and the team. His shoulders must be tired after how much he carrying he did against Northwestern.

Tanner McCalister, Ohio State, Safety, Senior.

McCalister had two interceptions in Ohio State’s 54-10 win over Iowa, leading the way for the Buckeyes as they forced six Iowa turnovers. Surprisingly McCalister was the first Buckeye multiple interceptions in a single game since 2009.

Special Teams Player of the Week:

Noah Ruggles, Ohio State, Kicker, Senior.

Ruggles was four of four on field goals and six of six on extra points for the Buckeyes in their 54-10 win over Iowa. He’d only kicked three field goals going into that game and it was great that he was as locked in and perfect in his kicking when they required him to kick four in a single half.

Big Ten Player of the Year Watch: 

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

   

   On the season he is 133 of 190 for 2,023 yards and 28 touchdowns. This is Stroud’s to lose and so far it seems only he can stop himself and the Buckeye offense. A road trip to Penn State looms large as well does that team up north to close the season. Records aside, Stroud’s legacy at Ohio State will be in large part in what he does in these two games.

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

   

   Corum has 146 carries for 901 yards and 13 touchdowns. He and the wolverines are looking to repeat their success last year of passing only when you have to and running over everyone else. After how well it worked last year and seems to be working this year they look better than they did in 2021, but so do their rival the Buckeyes. How Corum and their running game does on November 26th will decide The Game

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

   

   Chase Brown has 207 touches for 1,166 total yards and six total touchdowns. Brown is the tank for the Illini. He gets them to where they need to go even if he doesn’t do the scoring. If Brown can add some touchdowns to his already impressive resume he can close the gap with Stroud and Corum.

4. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, Linebacker, Senior.

   

   Eichenberg is having a fantastic year and is a big reason for the turnaround of the Ohio State defense. He has 57 tackles, 33 of them solo, seven tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and an interception returned for a touchdown. The Buckeyes will need Eichenberg to maintain his all-Big Ten level of play as they travel to Penn State and Maryland and host that team up north to finish this season.

5. Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Quarterback, Junior.

   

   Even with missing their victory over Northwestern, Taulia Tagovailoa is still having a great season. He is 171 of 236 for 2,001 yards and 16 total touchdowns. If he doesn’t miss any more time he’ll stay in the conversation for Big Ten Player of the Year. Ohio State and Penn State better watch out because if Tagovailoa returns I think the Terps will upset one of those two titans still left on their schedule.

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
8. Big Ten Players of the Week – Week 7