The Sports Inquirer

Release from the Big Ten Conference:

Following Big Ten football games on Sept. 17, the offensive, co-defensive and special teams players of the week and freshman of the week in the Big Ten were announced. Below are this week’s honorees:

Offensive Player of the Week
Noah Brown, Ohio State
So., WR, Flanders, N.J./ Pope John XXIII

• Tied a school record with four touchdown receptions to spark the Buckeyes to a road victory over Oklahoma
• Hauled in touchdown receptions from 4, 3, 21 and 8 yards out
• Also set personal bests for receptions (five) and receiving yards (72)
• Claims the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career
• Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: J.T. Barrett (Sept. 5, 2016)

Co-Defensive Players of the Week
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
So., LB/DB, East Orange, N.J./Paramus Catholic

• Recorded 3.5 tackles for loss against Colorado, including one sack, to increase his nation-leading total to 9.5 tackles for loss
• Finished the game with nine tackles, including six solo stops
• The sack was the second of his career
• Earns his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor
• Last Michigan Defensive Player of the Week: Mike McCray (Sept. 5, 2016)

Jerome Baker, Ohio State
So., LB, Cleveland, Ohio/ Benedictine

• Returned a first-quarter interception 68 yards to give the Buckeyes a 14-0 lead at Oklahoma
• Finished the game with seven tackles, including 1.5 sacks
• Recorded the fourth pick-six of the year for the Ohio State defense, matching the school record for interception returns for a touchdown in a single season (1987 and 1996)
• Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week accolade
• Last Ohio State Defensive Player of the Week: Vonn Bell (Nov. 9, 2015)

Special Teams Player of the Week
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
So., LB/DB, East Orange, N.J./Paramus Catholic

• Recorded 204 all-purpose yards, including a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown against Colorado
• Tallied 81 yards on two kickoff returns, including a career-long 55-yard return
• Finished with 99 yards on four punt returns, increasing his nation-leading yardage total to 173 this season
• Earns his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
• Becomes the first conference player to be named both Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week in the same week since the special teams honor was added in 1994
• Last Michigan Special Teams Player of the Week: Jehu Chesson (Oct. 12, 2015)

Freshman of the Week
Caleb Lightbourn, Nebraska
P, Washougal, Wash./Camas

• Averaged 47.2 yards per punt on five attempts as Nebraska defeated Oregon
• Had three punts downed inside the 20-yard line, including one at the Oregon 3-yard line in the fourth quarter
• Recorded a 58-yard punt in the fourth quarter
• Wins his first career weekly award
• Last Nebraska Freshman of the Week: Tommy Armstrong Jr. (Nov. 11, 2013)