Big Ten honors Penn State's Saquon Barkley for big game vs. Nebraska
The Nittany Lions' outstanding running back was named the conference's co-offensive player of the week after rolling up 178 yards rushing and 66 yards receiving in the 56-44 victory over Nebraska.
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Penn State junior running back Saquon Barkley was named Big Ten co-offensive player of the week after rolling up 224 all-purpose yards in the Nittany Lions' 56-44 win Saturday over Nebraska.
Barkley carried 17 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns, and also caught six passes for 66 yards against the Cornhuskers. His three touchdowns gave him 39 rushing TDs for his career, breaking the Penn State program record of 38 held by Lydell Mitchell. His 46 pass receptions is also a program record for most in a season by a running back, a mark originally set by Larry Johnson.
It was Barkley's sixth Big Ten weekly award of the season – four on offense and two on special teams.
Later Monday, Barkley was named as one of three finalists for the Maxwell Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia. Joining Barkley as finalists were quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma and running back Bryce Love of Stanford. The winner will be announced Dec. 7 as part of the ESPN college football awards show.
Barkley is also a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player, and is a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award (outstanding running back) and Walter Camp Award (outstanding player).
Barkley's teammate, Mike Gesicki, was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's outstanding tight end.