Two Gophers Win Weekly Honors

Two members of the University of Minnesota football team are being recognized for their roles in Saturday's 24 - 17 win over Northwestern.

Jalen Myrick has been named the Big 10 Co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his 100 yard kickoff return that turned out to be the winning touchdown.

Damien Wilson was named the Big 10 Co-Defensive Player of the Week.  He had a career best 15 tackles.

Here is the news release from the Big 10:

Offensive Player of the Week

Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Jr., RB, Tinley Park, Ill./Oak Forest

•           Rushed for 219 yards on 15 carries, an average of 14.6 yards per attempt, against an Iowa team ranked seventh nationally in rushing defense

•           Scored on touchdown runs of 83, 69 and 45 yards, with the 83-yarder being the longest carry in the Big Ten this season

•           Extended nation-leading streaks for consecutive 100-yard games (nine) and games with a touchdown (15)

•           Became the first Hoosier to reach 1,000 rushing yards through the first six games of the season

•           Records his second career Offensive Player of the Week award

•           Last Indiana Offensive Player of the Week: Tre Roberson (Dec. 2, 2013)

Co-Defensive Players of the Week

Jake Ryan, Michigan

Sr., LB, Westlake, Ohio/St. Ignatius

•           Recorded 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack in Michigan’s victory over Penn State

•           Led a Wolverines defense that held the Nittany Lions to 13 points and 54 rushing yards

•           Leads the Big Ten and is tied for 15th in the nation with 9.0 tackles for loss this season

•           Claims his second career Defensive Player of the Week honor

•           Last Michigan Defensive Player of the Week: Jake Ryan (Oct. 15, 2012)

Damien Wilson, Minnesota

Sr., LB, Gloster, Miss./Amite County

•           Recorded a career-high 15 tackles and added 1.5 tackles for loss to guide Minnesota to a win over Northwestern

•           Paces the Gophers in tackles on a unit that ranks 15th nationally in scoring defense

•           Leads the Big Ten with 11.0 tackles per game

•           Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week laurel

•           Last Minnesota Defensive Player of the Week: Michael Carter (Oct. 29, 2012)

Co-Special Teams Players of the Week

Matt Wile, Michigan

Sr., K, San Diego, Calif./Francis Parker

•           Made a career-high three field goals to secure an 18-13 win over Penn State

•           Converted attempts from 45, 42 and 37 yards along with one PAT attempt to record the Wolverines’ final 10 points of the game

•           Moved into a tie for eighth place on Michigan’s career list of 40-plus-yard field goals with seven •           Claims his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor

•           Last Michigan Special Teams Player of the Week: Brendan Gibbons (Nov. 18, 2013)

Jalen Myrick, Minnesota

So., KR, Bloomingdale, Ga./Savannah Christian Prep

•           Recorded a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to lead Minnesota to a win over Northwestern

•           The touchdown broke a 17-17 tie in the fourth quarter and provided the winning margin in the game

•           Return was the 33^rd 100-yard kickoff return touchdown in Big Ten history

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

•           Last Minnesota Special Teams Player of the Week: Peter Mortell (Nov. 11, 2013)

Freshman of the Week

Justin Jackson, Northwestern

RB, Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North

•           Registered 156 all-purpose yards and a touchdown at Minnesota

•           Carried the ball 23 times for 106 yards, surpassing the 100-yard plateau for the second consecutive contest

•           Caught four passes for 50 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown reception

•           Wins his first career weekly award

•           Last Northwestern Freshman of the Week: Godwin Igwebuike (Oct. 6, 2014)