Following Big Ten football games on Nov. 2, 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 Co-Players of the Week

Philip Nelson, Minnesota

So., QB, Mankato, Minn./West

•           Combined for 309 total yards, threw four touchdown strikes and completed 70 percent of his passes in Minnesota’s 42-39 victory over Indiana

•           Notched career highs in completions (16), yards (298) and touchdowns, becoming the first Gopher quarterback since 2009 to throw four touchdowns in a single game

•           Connected with Maxx Williams on a 50-yard touchdown with just over three minutes to play for the eventual game-winning score after returning following an in-game injury

•           Records the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career after winning Freshman of the Week accolades on Oct. 29, 2012

•           Last Minnesota Offensive Player of the Week: Adam Weber (Nov. 1, 2009)

Bill Belton, Penn State

Jr., RB, Sicklerville, N.J./Winslow Township

•           Recorded a career-high 201 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in Penn State’s overtime win against Illinois

•           Posted Penn State’s first 200-yard rushing game since former standout Larry Johnson ran for 279 yards in 2002 and is the second Big Ten player to reach the milestone this season

•           Scored the first points of the game on a five-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, marking his fourth rushing score of the season

•           Wins his first career Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week laurel

•           Last Penn State Offensive Player of the Week: Matt McGloin (Nov. 19, 2012)

Defensive Player of the Week

Denicos Allen, Michigan State

Sr., LB, Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton

•           Matched or recorded season highs with nine tackles, three stops for loss and two sacks in Michigan State’s win over Michigan

•           Helped the Spartan defense hold Michigan to minus-48 yards rushing, the third-fewest in Spartan history and the fewest in the Football Bowl Subdivision this season

•           Becomes the fourth different Michigan State defender to earn conference laurels this season, joining Max Bullough, Shilique Calhoun and Darqueze Dennard

•           Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor after winning Special Teams honors as a freshman in 2010

•           Last Michigan State Defensive Player of the Week: Max Bullough (Oct. 21, 2013)

Special Teams Player of the Week

Peter Mortell, Minnesota

So., P, Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy

•           Averaged 43 yards per punt, placing two inside the 20-yard line, to help Minnesota to a three-point win over Indiana

•           Totaled 215 yards on five punts, including a long of 52 yards

•           Pinned Indiana inside its own 20-yard line on both of his third-quarter punts

•           Claims his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor

•           Last Minnesota Special Teams Player of the Week: Chris Hawthorne (Oct. 28, 2013)

Freshman of the Week

Jordan Westerkamp, Nebraska

WR, Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic

•           Was on the receiving end of Nebraska’s game-winning touchdown pass as time expired, giving the Huskers a 27-24 victory over Northwestern

•           Finished the game with four catches for 104 yards, both career highs, including the 49-yarder to clinch the victory

•           Recorded his first career touchdown grab

•           Wins his first career weekly award

•           Last Nebraska Freshman of the Week: David Santos (Oct. 29, 2012)