From an Ohio State release.
Dobbins Earns Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Honors
Rushed for a career-high 211 yards and four TDs in win over Michigan
COLUMBUS, Ohio – On the strength of his career-high 211 yards and four touchdowns at Michigan, running back J.K. Dobbins is the Big Ten’s offensive player of the week, the conference office announced today. It is the second such honor for Dobbins in as many weeks and his fourth of the season.
A junior from La Grange, Texas, Dobbins carried the ball 31 times on Saturday against a Michigan rush defense that entered the game ranked No. 13 nationally. His 211 yards were the most by a Buckeye versus the Wolverines since Carlos Hyde had 226 in 2013. His four rushing touchdowns tied him with Bob Ferguson (1961) and Jim Otis (1968) for the most in series history.
Dobbins also surpassed a significant career milestone in the Buckeyes’ 56-27 victory: he moved into second place on Ohio State’s career rushing list, passing Ezekiel Elliott. Dobbins is now one of just two players all-time (Archie Griffin is the other) with over 4,000 career rushing yards. He enters Saturday’s Big Ten championship game vs. Wisconsin with 4,113 yards and 41 total touchdowns (36 rushing, five receiving) in 40 career games.
Following Saturday’s performance, Dobbins has 1,657 yards on the season and is averaging 138.1 yards per game. He’s fourth in the country in rushing yards and rushing average, and fifth in touchdowns (19).
From a Big Ten release.
Following Big Ten football games on Nov. 29-30, the Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week and Freshman of the Week in the Big Ten were announced this morning. Below are this week’s honorees:
Offensive Player of the Week
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Jr., RB, La Grange, Texas/La Grange
- Rushed for a career-high 211 yards on 31 carries and a career-best four touchdowns in Ohio State’s win at Michigan
- Became just the third Buckeye to score four rushing touchdowns against the Wolverines, while his 260 total yards were the most ever for an OSU student against Michigan
- Moved into second place on the Ohio State career rushing list with 4,113 yards, passing Ezekiel Elliott (3,961 yards) and trailing only two-time Heisman Trophy recipient Archie Griffin (5,589 yards)
- Claims his fourth career Offensive Player of the Week award and fourth of the season
- Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: J.K. Dobbins (Nov. 25, 2019)
Defensive Player of the Week
A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
Jr., DE, Glen Carbon, Ill./Edwardsville
- Registered a career-high 14 tackles, including two sacks and a career-best 4.5 tackles for loss, in Iowa’s win at Nebraska
- Led a Hawkeye defense that held the Huskers below 30 points for only the second time all season
- Helped Iowa secure its fifth consecutive win in the Nebraska series
- Claims his fourth career Defensive Player of the Week honor and second of the season
- Last Iowa Defensive Player of the Week: A.J. Epenesa (Nov. 18, 2019)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Keith Duncan, Iowa
Jr., K, Weddington, N.C./Weddington
- Converted all five of his kicks (3 PAT, 2 FG) in Iowa’s win at Nebraska, including the game-winning 48-yard field goal with one second remaining to break a 24-24 tie
- Has made 29 field goals this season, setting school and Big Ten records while tying for the sixth-most in NCAA history
- Kicked his second game-winning field goal this season, having also made a 39-yard field goal with 4:51 left in Iowa’s 18-17 win over Iowa State
- Earns his fourth career Special Teams Player of the Week honor and third of the season
- Last Iowa Special Teams Player of the Week: Keith Duncan (Nov. 25, 2019)
Freshman of the Week
Coco Azema, Northwestern
RB, Cypress, Texas/Langham Creek
- Rushed seven times for 123 yards and a 24-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of Northwestern’s win over Illinois
- Was making his debut on the offensive side of the ball after injuries forced his move from defensive back
- Helped the Wildcats earn their fifth consecutive win in the Illinois series
- Collects his first career Freshman of the Week award
- Last Northwestern Freshman of the Week: Evan Hull (Nov. 18, 2019)