Nebraska I-back Ameer Abdullah earned Big Ten weekly honors for the second time this season on Monday.
Abdullah shared Big Ten Offensive honors with Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon following Nebraska’s 41-31 win over Miami Saturday night. Abdullah totaled 313 all-purpose yards – an NCAA single-game high in 2014 – as he rushed for 229 yards on 35 carries and two scores and added a three-yard touchdown reception. He also had four kickoff returns for 81 yards in the win, as his all-purpose yard total was second in Nebraska school history. He moved from fifth to third on Nebraska’s career rushing list while also becoming the Huskers’ career all-purpose yards leader, passing College Football Hall of Famer Johnny Rodgers.
Abdullah also earned the weekly honor against Florida Atlantic in the season opener when he rushed for 232 yards. Abdullah is one of only two players in the country with multiple 200-yard rushing games in 2014. Nebraska has won at least one Big Ten weekly award in each of the first four weeks of the season.
The Big Ten honor was one of several for Abdullah, as he was also named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for the second this season on Monday and was chosen as the Athlon Sports Big Ten Player of the Week.
Below are this week’s honorees:
Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Sr., RB, Homewood, Ala./Homewood
• Recorded 313 all-purpose yards, including 229 rushing yards, in Nebraska’s victory over Miami (Fla.)
• Carried the ball a career-high 35 times, reaching the end zone twice on the ground and adding a third touchdown on a three-yard reception in the second quarter
• Became Nebraska’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards, passing 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers
• Records the third Offensive Player of the Week award of his career and second of the season
• Last Nebraska Offensive Player of the Week: Ameer Abdullah (Sept. 1, 2014)
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Jr., RB, Kenosha, Wis./Bradford
• Needed just 13 carries to register 253 yards and matched a school record with five touchdowns in Wisconsin’s win against Bowling Green
• Averaged 19.5 yards per carry, shattering the previous school record of 14.9 yards per attempt
• Helped Wisconsin set a modern-era Big Ten record with 644 team rushing yards and a school record for total offense with 756 yards.
• Earns the second Offensive Player of the Week award of his career
• Last Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Week: Melvin Gordon (Sept. 23, 2013)
Defensive Player of the Week
William Likely, Maryland
So., CB, Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central
• Recorded nine tackles, including one tackle for loss, and an interception to lead Maryland to a victory at Syracuse
• Notched his second career interception late in the second quarter and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown
• The interception return for a touchdown was the longest by a Maryland player since 1989
• Claims his first career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor
• First Maryland Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award
Special Teams Player of the Week
Chris Gradone, Northwestern
Jr., P, Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier
• Averaged 44.1 yards on seven punts as Northwestern defeated Western Illinois
• Six of his seven punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, including two inside the five-yard line
• Claims his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
• Last Northwestern Special Teams Player of the Week: Jeff Budzien (Dec. 2, 2013)
Co-Freshmen of the Week
Tegray Scales, Indiana
LB, Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain
• Recorded five tackles and one sack to help Indiana defeat No. 18/19 Missouri
• Registered his first career sack as the Hoosiers collected their first road win over a top-20 team since 1987
• Wins his first career weekly award
• Last Indiana Freshman of the Week: Ralphael Green III (Nov. 25, 2013)
Chris Streveler, Minnesota
QB, Crystal Lake, Ill./Marian Central Catholic
• Logged 161 yards on 18 carries, including a touchdown, to lead Minnesota to a victory over San Jose State in his first career start
• Posted the third-most rushing yards ever by a Minnesota quarterback
• Wins his first career weekly award
• Last Minnesota Freshman of the Week: Mitch Leidner (Sept. 23, 2013)