Ameer Abdullah wins the first Offensive Big Ten Player of the Week Award for 2014. You'd think this award might have gone to Melvin Gordon had not Wisconsin's offensive coordinator been the stupidest person in all of college football on Saturday night.
Offensive Player of the Week
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Sr., RB, Homewood, Ala./Homewood
• Rushed for a career-high 232 yards on 21 carries, an 11.0 average, and one touchdown to help Nebraska defeat Florida Atlantic
• His 232 yards are the 15th-most in Nebraska history and marked his 18th career game over 100 rushing yards, including his 12th in 14 games since the start of last season
• Became the eighth player in school history to surpass 3,000 career rushing yards and moved into the No. 6 spot on the career rushing list
• Records the second Offensive Player of the Week award of his career and first since Oct. 7, 2013
• Last Nebraska Offensive Player of the Week: Ameer Abdullah (Oct. 7, 2013)
Defensive Player of the Week
Johnathan Aiken, Rutgers
Sr., S, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Chaminade
• Recorded seven tackles and a pass breakup, and forced one fumble to help lead Rutgers to a victory over Washington State in Seattle
• Registered a forced fumble off a punt to give Rutgers the ball back midway through the fourth quarter, leading to the winning touchdown
• Broke up a fourth down pass play late in the fourth quarter to seal the win
• Claims his first career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor
• First Rutgers Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
Special Teams Player of the Week
Sam Ficken, Penn State
Sr., K, Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso
• Converted a career-high four field goals, including the game-winning 36-yarder on the final play of the game for a 26-24 victory over Central Florida in Dublin, Ireland
• Converted field goal attempts from 22, 33, 24 and 36 yards, with the final three field goals coming in the second half
• Recorded his second career game-winning field goal, joining the overtime game-winner against Wisconsin in 2012
• Claims his third career Special Teams Player of the Week honor and first since Sept. 2, 2013
• Last Penn State Special Teams Player of the Week: Sam Ficken (Sept. 2, 2013)
Co-Freshmen of the Week
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
QB, Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider
• Led Ohio State to a victory over Navy in his collegiate debut
• Finished the game with 276 yards of total offense, completing 12 of 15 passes for 226 yards and adding 50 yards on the ground
• Completed his last four passing attempts for 130 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard pass to Devin Smith in the third quarter to give the Buckeyes the lead for good
• Wins his first career weekly award
• Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Dontre Wilson (Oct. 28, 2013)
DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State
WR, Fredericksburg, Va./Mountain View
• Broke school freshman records for receptions and receiving yards in Penn State's 26-24 victory over Central Florida in Dublin, Ireland
• Finished the game with 11 catches for 165 yards, an average of 15.0 yards per reception
• Became the first Penn State freshman since 2005 to eclipse 100 receiving yards in a game
• Wins his first career weekly award
• Last Penn State Freshman of the Week: Christian Hackenberg (Dec. 2, 2013)