Greene earns Big Ten weekly honors

IOWA CITY - University of Iowa running back Shonn Greene has been named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. The announcement came today from Big Ten officials following Greene's play in Iowa's win over Purdue last Saturday.

Greene, a 5-11, 235-pound junior from Sicklerville, NJ, broke the century mark for the 11th time in as many games with 211 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 22-17 win over the Boilermakers. The junior running back is the only player in the country to eclipse 100 rushing yards in every game this season. He is on pace to become the first league rusher to surpass the century mark in all eight Big Ten games since Penn State's Curtis Enis accomplished the feat in 1997.

Greene averaged seven yards per carry against the Boilermakers and broke loose for a career-long 75-yard scoring sprint in the second quarter. It was the longest run by a Hawkeye since 1997 when Tavian Banks went 82 yards against Iowa State. Greene added a 14-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give Iowa a 22-10 advantage.

Greene surpassed the 200-yard mark for the second time in four games after setting a career high with 217 yards against Wisconsin on Oct. 18. The New Jersey native leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in rushing, while his 15 rushing touchdowns are tied for the second-highest single-season total in school annals. Greene was also named Big Ten Player of the Week following the Wisconsin game.

The Hawkeyes hope to improve on their 7-4 record as they close their regular season schedule at Minnesota Saturday evening.

From the Big Ten conference:

OFFENSE:

Shonn Greene, Iowa

JR, RB, Sicklerville, N.J./Milford Academy (Conn.)

Greene broke the century mark for the 11th time in as many games with 211 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a win over Purdue. The junior running back is the only player in the country to eclipse 100 rushing yards in every game this season and is on pace to become the first standout to surpass the century mark in all eight Big Ten games since Penn State's Curtis Enis accomplished the feat in 1997. Greene averaged seven yards per carry against the Boilermakers and broke loose for a career-long 75-yard scoring sprint in the second quarter, the longest run by a Hawkeye since 1997 when Tavian Banks went 82 yards against Iowa State. Greene added a 14-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give Iowa a 22-10 advantage. He surpassed the 200-yard mark for the second time in four games after setting a career high with 217 yards against Wisconsin on Oct. 18. The New Jersey native leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in rushing while his 15 rushing touchdowns are tied for the second-highest single-season total in school annals. Greene collects the second player of the week accolade for this season and his career.

LAST IOWA OFFENSIVE POW: RB Shonn Greene on Oct. 20, 2008.

DEFENSE:

Mike Newkirk, Wisconsin

SR, DT, Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith-Hawkins

Newkirk collected a career-high seven tackles against Minnesota, including two sacks over a three-play span culminating in a safety to help Wisconsin rally from an early deficit. After falling behind 21-7 at halftime, the Badgers came back to take a 26-24 lead early in the fourth quarter when the Gophers fumbled a kickoff out of the back of the endzone for a safety. Minnesota got the ball back less than two minutes later at its own seven-yard line, but Newkirk recorded his first sack to push the offense back to the two-yard line. After an incompletion, the senior defensive tackle registered his second sack of the game in the endzone for another safety and a 28-24 advantage. Wisconsin would build a 35-24 lead before holding on for the three-point triumph. After allowing 21 points, 116 passing yards and 62 rushing yards in the first half, the Badgers defense limited the visitors to only 11 points, 86 passing yards and 37 rushing yards to spark the second-half rally. Newkirk earn his first career weekly laurel.

LAST WIS DEFENSIVE POW: LB DeAndre Levy on Sept. 15, 2008.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

SR, DB, Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway

With the game tied at 7-7 near the end of the first quarter, Jenkins sprinted around the line to block an Illinois punt out of the endzone, leading to a safety and giving the Buckeyes a lead they would not relinquish. The ensuing Illini kickoff was knocked down by the wind, leading to a short touchdown drive to help OSU to the road victory. The senior defensive back blocked his second punt this season and also added a 14-yard punt return, while posting two tackles and three pass breakups on defense. Jenkins nabs his first career player of the week award.

LAST OSU SPECIAL TEAMS POW: P A.J. Trapasso on Oct. 22, 2007.