Javon Ringer Named Big 10 Offensive Player of the Week

OFFENSE:

Javon Ringer, Michigan State, SR, RB, Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne

With a driving rain limiting the passing offense, Ringer carried the load in a win over Florida Atlantic by racking up career highs with 43 rushing attempts and 282 yards on the ground to earn his second straight Big Ten Player of the Week award. The senior running back averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored a pair of touchdowns from 21 and 11 yards out to provide nearly all of the offense in the 17-0 victory. His 282-yard performance represents the fourth-best single-game effort in Michigan State history and the most ground yardage since Lorenzo White broke loose for 292 yards against Indiana in 1987. The last Big Ten rusher to crack the 280-mark in a game was Wisconsin ’s Anthony Davis, who collected 301 yards against Minnesota on Nov. 23, 2002. Ringer becomes the first Spartan to nab consecutive Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week laurels since quarterback Drew Stanton was honored on Sept. 19 and 26 of 2005. Ringer now boasts three weekly awards, as he was also honored on Oct. 15, 2007.

LAST MSU OFFENSIVE POW: RB Javon Ringer on Sept. 8, 2008

DEFENSE:

DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin , SR, LB, Milwaukee , Wis. /Vincent

Levy was all over the field with a team-best nine tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup and an interception to help hold nationally-ranked Fresno State to only 10 points in a road triumph for Wisconsin . In the first quarter, the senior linebacker picked off a tipped pass on the Bulldogs’ 34-yard line to set up the Badgers only touchdown of the game. Trailing 13-10, the hosts moved into Wisconsin territory on their final drive of the game before Levy came up with his biggest play of the night, sacking the quarterback on third-and-11 with less than three minutes remaining to force a punt. The visitors would run out the clock to secure the three-point victory. Levy and the Badgers held Fresno State to only 10 points and 304 total yards after the Bulldogs had posted 24 points and 422 total yards in a season-opening win at Rutgers . This marks the second weekly accolade for Levy, who was also honored on Oct. 29, 2007.

LAST WIS DEFENSIVE POW: DE Matt Shaughnessy on Nov. 12, 2007

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Andy Brodell, Iowa , SR, PR, Ankeny , Iowa / Ankeny

With Iowa clinging to a 10-3 lead over in-state rival Iowa State , Brodell put the game away with an 81-yard punt return touchdown with just over six minutes left in the game. The senior wide receiver recorded his first punt return score and established a new career best, surpassing his 78-yard punt return against Syracuse last season. Brodell is the first Hawkeye to return a punt for a touchdown since Jovon Johnson went 90 yards against Ball State in 2005. Brodell added two receptions against the Cyclones as Iowa reclaimed the Cy-Hawk Trophy. This marks the first weekly honor of Brodell’s career.

LAST IOWA SPECIAL TEAMS POW: P Ryan Donahue on Oct. 29, 2007