Ohio State swept the offensive and defensive player of the week awards released Monday by the Big Ten.
Senior quarterback Kenny Guiton received the OPOW honor for the first time while Shazier, a junior linebacker, was picked as the DPOW for the third time.
More information on the honorees comes from the Big Ten:
Offensive Player of the WeekKenny Guiton, Ohio StateSr., QB, Houston, Texas/Eisenhower• Completed 21 of 32 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns, all career highs, to lead Ohio State to a road win at California in his first career start • Gave the Buckeyes a quick 21-0 lead in the first six minutes, throwing three touchdowns, including a 90-yarder to Devin Smith, the longest play from scrimmage in school history • Also finished with 14 carries for 92 yards, helping Ohio State to 608 yards of total offense, the most under Urban Meyer • Records his first career weekly honor • Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: Carlos Hyde (Oct. 8, 2012)
Defensive Player of the Week Ryan Shazier, Ohio State Jr., LB, Plantation, Fla./Plantation • Led the Buckeye defense with 12 tackles, including 10 solo stops, in Ohio State’s road win against California • Was part of an Ohio State defense that held the California passing offense, which was ranked first in the nation entering the weekend, to 100 yards below its season average • Also forced a fumble and recorded a sack • Claims his third career Defensive Player of the Week honor • Last Ohio State Defensive Player of the Week: John Simon (Nov. 19, 2012)
Special Teams Player of the Week Justin DuVernois, Illinois Jr., P, Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas • Averaged 45.2 yards per punt, totaling 226 yards on five kicks with a long of 57, for the Illini against Washington • Had three of his punts land inside the 20-yard line, including one at the six-yard line, another at the nine-yard line and one at the 13-yard line • Wins his first career Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honor • Last Illinois Special Teams Player of the Week: Derek Dimke (Sept. 26, 2011)
Freshman of the Week Christian Hackenberg, Penn State QB, Palmyra, Va./Fork Union Military Academy • Completed 21 of 28 passes, a 75 percent completion rate, for 262 yards and a touchdown against UCF • Brought Penn State to within a field goal with under three minutes to play, connecting with Allen Robinson on a five-yard touchdown pass • Ranks third in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (283.7) after throwing for more than 250 yards in each of his first three starts • Wins his second career weekly award • Last Penn State Freshman of the Week: Christian Hackenberg (Sept. 2, 2013)
