COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two Ohio State Buckeyes won Big Ten player of the week honors after stand-out performances in Saturday's shutout win against Purdue.
Quarterback Will Howard was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was named Freshman of the Week.
Howard, who has never previously received Big Ten weekly honors, was 21 of 26 for 260 yards against Purdue and accounted for four touchdowns.
Through nine games, he is second nationally in completion percentage (74%) and third in passing efficiency (182.48). Over the last four games, he has thrown 10 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
Smith, who was last named Freshman of the Week on Sept. 30, continued his record-breaking season with six catches for 87 yards and one touchdown.
The score was his ninth receiving touchdown of the season, giving him the Ohio State record for most touchdown catches by a true freshman. Cris Carter previously set the record in 1984.
The wide receiver caught his 42nd reception during the first quarter of Saturday's game, breaking another Ohio State record set by Carter.
Following the win over Purdue, Ohio State moved up to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll.
They will play their final regular season road game on Saturday when they head to Chicago to face Northwestern at Wrigley Field. Kickoff is set for noon.