Big Ten names top Players of the Week for Week 6

On Monday, the Big Ten Conference selected its top Players of the Week for its Oct. 5 slate of games.

Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde and Nebraska back Ameer Abdullah were named Offensive Co-Players of the Week for their big performances over the weekend.

Hyde rushed for a career-high 168 yards and scored three touchdowns in the second half to help the No. 4 Buckeyes defeat host Northwestern 40-30 in Evanston, Ill. He also reeled in four catches for 38 yards and was responsible for gaining 15 first downs. So far this season, he has rushed 48 times for 294 yards.

This week marks the second time Hyde has been recognized by the conference as a top offensive player.

The Big Ten also recognized cornerback Bradley Roby as the Special Teams Player of the Week after the junior blocked a Northwestern punt and recovered it in the end zone for the Buckeyes’ only touchdown of the first half.

The conference named defensive end Joey Bosa its Freshman of the Week for finishing with five tackles and two sacks. He also recovered a fumble in the end zone at the end of the game.

Ohio State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) hosts Iowa for its homecoming game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

Abdullah rushed 20 times for a career-high 225 yards and two scores in Nebraska’s 39-19 win against visiting Illinois. He had three rushes of 30 yards of more and is the first Nebraska player to be named Offensive Player of the Week since quarterback Taylor Martinez on Nov. 5, 2012.

Nebraska (4-1, 1-0) visits Purdue at noon Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Spartans’ 26-14 win at Iowa. He recorded eight tackles and two interceptions, both career highs, and the MSU defensive held Iowa to only 264 total yards.

Michigan State (4-1, 1-0) hosts Indiana for its homecoming game at noon Saturday.