Illini LB Jake Hansen named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

Illinois linebacker named the Water Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.

For the second time in his career, Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen was named the Big Ten Conference's Defensive Player of the Week. 

The announcement was made by the conference office on Monday morning. 

Hansen was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday after leading Illinois to a 24-23 upset over No. 6 Wisconsin. Hansen had two forced fumbles, 11 tackles, and one sack to lead the Illini to one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history.

Hansen's first forced fumble came on a strip sack of Wisconsin QB Jack Coan, resulting in only the second turnover of the season for Coan. Later, Hansen punched out the ball from Wisconsin All-American and Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor at the Illinois 25-yard line with 7:12 remaining to set up an Illini touchdown drive to cut Wisconsin's lead to 23-21.

“They did a good job up front a nice job," Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst said. "They were gonna play us with the two safeties and up front. Thought going in that it was a good front and a lot of respect for the backers. I think early, some of the movements got us.”

Hansen leads the nation with seven forced fumbles, the second-most in a single season in Illinois history. He is the first Big Ten player to force seven fumbles in one season since Whitney Mercilus set the Illinois record of nine in 2011.

B1G POW 👉 @Juggs35

📰 https://t.co/DPW6098T8S pic.twitter.com/IDZ0Jgi4Sk

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 21, 2019

Hansen is the second Illinois player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since running back Mikel LeShoure (Nov. 21, 2010).

Hansen was a Big Ten Team of the Week by Pro Football Focus analysts after the 42-3 win over Akron in the 2019 season opener on Aug. 31. Hansen had seven tackles, a forced fumble and an interception vs. Akron. Coming into the Wisconsin game, Hansen has been rated as the No. 18 graded linebacker in the nation by Pro Football Focus.