The Big Ten announced the following student-athletes as the football Co-defensive players of the week for games on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The Big Ten announced the following student-athletes as the football offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week for games on Saturday, Sept. 15.

CO-DEFENSE: 

Jonal Saint-Dic, Michigan State, SR, DE, Elizabeth, N.J./Hudson Valley CC Saint-Dic forced a pair of fumbles while adding five total tackles and three tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks, to boost Michigan State to a narrow 17-13 victory over previously unbeaten Pittsburgh. The senior defensive end’s biggest play occurred with less than five minutes left in the game, when he stripped the ball on a reverse with the Spartans clinging to a 14-13 advantage. MSU recovered the fumble at the Pittsburgh 22-yard line which led to a field goal and the final margin. The Spartans defense forced three turnovers on the day which led to all 17 points. Saint-Dic recorded at least two sacks and two forced fumbles for the second straight game and tops the Big Ten in both categories with five sacks and four forced fumbles through three games. The New Jersey native picks up the first weekly accolade of his career and the first for a Spartans defender since 2003. 

LAST MICHIGAN STATE DEFENSIVE POW: S Jason Harmon on Oct. 13, 2003 

James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, JR, LB, Hamel, Minn./Wayzata Laurinaitis picked off a pair of passes for the first time in his career and added a team-high eight tackles, including a crucial sack, to lead Ohio State to a road victory at previously unbeaten Washington. With the Buckeyes holding a 3-0 lead and the Huskies facing a third-and-goal at the five-yard line, the junior linebacker recorded his first interception to stop a potential scoring drive. After Washington took a 7-3 lead at the half, the hosts took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and drove within field goal range. On third down at the OSU 24-yard line, Laurinaitis picked up a five-yard sack to force a longer field goal attempt, which was blocked by the Buckeyes. Two plays later Ohio State completed a long scoring pass to retake the lead and scored on its next possession to build the advantage to 17-7. Washington again drove into Buckeyes territory looking to inch closer, only to see Laurinaitis pick off his second pass of the day at OSU’s 22-yard line. The 2006 consensus All-American picks up the second weekly accolade of his career after being honored on Sept. 11, 2006. 

LAST OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE POW: DB Antonio Smith on Oct. 23, 2006