Sam Foltz was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Foltz averaged 51.2 yards on six punts against McNeese State, downing four of six punts inside the 20 and three inside the 10-yard line. Three of his punts covered more than 50 yards.
This is the first time Foltz was honored as Player of the Week. The last Nebraska Special Teams Player of the Week was Pat Smith in November 2013. Foltz, a sophomore, is a native of Grand Island, NE.
Other Players of the Week were:
Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Wes Lunt, Illinois
So., QB, Rochester, Ill./Rochester
• Completed 35 of 50 passes for a career-high 456 yards and three touchdowns in Illinois’ victory over Western Kentucky
• In the fourth quarter alone, Lunt was 10-of-11 for 154 yards and a touchdown while leading the team to its second-straight fourth-quarter comeback win
• His 456 passing yards rank second in Memorial Stadium history, trailing the record by just six yards
• Records the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career
• Last Illinois Offensive Player of the Week: Steve Hull (Nov. 25, 2013)
David Cobb, Minnesota
Sr., RB, Killeen, Texas/Ellison
• Set a new TCF Bank Stadium record for a Gopher with 220 rushing yards on 29 carries, including two touchdowns, as Minnesota defeated Middle Tennessee State
• Recorded the first 200-yard rushing performance by a Gopher since Nov. 12, 2005
• Scored on runs of seven and 48 yards while averaging 7.6 yards per carry
• Earns the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career
• Last Minnesota Offensive Player of the Week: Philip Nelson (Nov. 4, 2013)
Defensive Player of the Week
Drew Ott, Iowa
Jr., DE, Turnbull, Neb./Giltner
• Recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack, as the Hawkeyes defeated Ball State
• Forced a fumble on Ball State’s final play of the game to secure the victory
• Five of Ott’s 13 tackles came in the fourth quarter
• Claims his first career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor
• Last Iowa Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week: Christian Kirksey (Dec. 2, 2013)
Freshman of the Week
Mike Dudek, Illinois
WR, Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley
• Recorded four receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown in Illinois’ win over Western Kentucky
• Become the first Illini newcomer since 2003 to tally a touchdown reception in each of his first two games
• Wins his first career weekly award
• Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: Aaron Bailey (Sept. 30, 2013)