Big Ten Football Announces Players of the Week Following Week 1 action
ROSEMONT, Ill.- Illinois’ Hank Beatty, Maryland’s Malik Washington, USC’s Jayden Maiava, Washington’s Jonah Coleman, and wisconsin’s Preston zachman have been named Big Ten Football Players of the Week, the conference announced Monday. The honors recognize outstanding performances during the opening week of the 2024 season.
The weekly awards, presented by IFS.ai, highlight top players in four categories: Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, Special Teams Player of the Week, and Freshman of the Week. These accolades signify the start of a competitive season within the expanded Big Ten Conference, now encompassing teams from across the nation.
Hank Beatty, Illinois (Special teams Player of the Week)
The Illinois wide receiver broke a 102-year-old school record with 133 punt return yards on four returns, surpassing Red Grange’s mark of 125 yards set in 1923. Beatty’s performance included a 69-yard punt return touchdown - Illinois’ first since 2013 and the program’s longest since 2000. He also contributed five receptions for 108 yards, marking his first career 100-yard receiving game. The last Illinois Special Teams Player of the Week was fabrizio Pinton on Oct. 10, 2022.
Malik Washington, Maryland (Freshman of the Week)
Maryland quarterback Malik Washington delivered a record-setting debut, completing 27 of 43 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. His three touchdown passes were the most by a true freshman in a Big Ten debut since 2009 (michigan’s Tate Forcier), the most by a true freshman in a Power conference since 2018 (Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence), and the most in a debut against an FBS school since UCLA’s Josh Rosen in 2015. Washington’s 27 completions are a Maryland freshman record and the most by a true freshman in a Power Conference debut as Jaxson Dart (USC) had 30 in 2021. Roman Hemby was the last Maryland Freshman of the Week,earning the honor on Oct. 24, 2022.
jayden Maiava, USC (Offensive Player of the Week)
Details of Maiava’s performance were not provided in the source material.
Jonah Coleman, Washington (offensive Player of the Week)
Details of coleman’s performance were not provided in the source material.
Preston Zachman, Wisconsin (Defensive Player of the Week)
Wisconsin’s defense stifled its opponent, holding them under 150 total yards and preventing a single third-down conversion. this defensive dominance earned Preston Zachman the Defensive Player of the Week award. Hunter Wohler was the last Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week honoree, recognized on sept. 18, 2023.
