(Video courtesy Seanstorm23)
Raise your hand if you had Penn State K Sam Ficken winning a Big Ten special teams player of the week award this season. Didn’t think so. But the sophomore defied all odds when he claimed the honor after booting a game-winning 37-yard field goal in a 24-21 overtime win against Wisconsin.
Ficken, who also hit from 23 and 32 yards against the Badgers, finished the season making his final 10 attempts. Not bad for a player who drew national attention for missing four field goals and an extra point in a 17-16 loss at Virginia earlier this season.
Purdue QB Robert Marve and Michigan State RB Le’Veon Bell were named Big Ten co-offensive players of the week for their performances in bowl-clinching wins.
Marve completed 20 of 29 passes for a career-high 348 yards with four touchdowns in a 56-35 win over Indiana. The senior was the first Boilermaker to throw for 300 yards since Joey Elliott in 2009 as he completed a pass to nine different receivers. It was his first career weekly award.
Bell claimed his award by rushing for 266 yards and a touchdown in a 26-10 win over Minnesota. The junior carried the ball 350 times this fall, one of the 10 highest single-season totals in Big Ten history. It was the third weekly award claimed by Bell this season.
Penn State DT Jordan Hill had a performance to remember in a win over the Badgers as he was named the Big Ten defensive player of the week. The senior amassed a career-high 12 tackles en route to his second weekly award this season. Hill also had three tackles for loss, including two sacks, in the victory.
Meantime, Purdue DB Frankie Williams was named the Big Ten freshman of the week. The first-year player notched six tackles, three passes defended and an interception in the win over the Hoosiers. It is the first weekly award for Williams.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.
