Michigan State's win over Wisconsin not only vaulted the Spartans tot he top of the Legends Divison, it also led to a pair of players being honored by the Big Ten. Quarterback Kirk Cousins Shared Offensive Player of the Week honors with Iowa's Marvin McNutt, while Kyler Ellsworth was named the Special Teams Player of the Week according tot he Big Ten's official release:
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
Sr., QB, Holland, Mich./Holland Christian
· Threw three touchdown passes, highlighted by the game-winning touchdown toss to Keith Nichol as time expired, in Michigan State’s win over Wisconsin
· Completed 22 of 31 passes for 290 yards, his 20th career 200-yard passing game, as the Spartans rallied from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit
· Won his 22nd game as Michigan State’s quarterback, becoming the program’s all-time wins leader
· Claims his second career Big Ten weekly honor
· Last Michigan State Offensive Player of the Week: Kirk Cousins (Oct. 25, 2010)
Ellsworth was able to earn his honor mostly from a blocked punt for a touchdown late in the first half against the Badgers:
Special Teams Player of the Week
Kyler Elsworth, Michigan State
So., LB, Goodrich, Mich./Goodrich
· Blocked a punt in the final minute of the first half, which Michigan State recovered in the end zone to give the Spartans a 23-14 halftime edge
· Marked Michigan State’s first blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown since 2006
· Claims his first career Big Ten weekly honor
· Last Michigan State Special Teams Player of the Week: Denicos Allen (Nov. 22, 2010)