Sports

Actions

MSU DE Kenny Willekes named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

Posted at 11:59 AM, Sep 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-02 11:59:22-04

(WXYZ) — After an incredible game against Tulsa, Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the first week of the season.

Willekes had 2.5 tackles or loss, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in the Spartans' win. He also scored the first touchdown of his career on a fumble recovery in the game.

He led the Spartans with seven tackles while helping Michigan State set a school record by holding Tulsa to -73 rushing yards in the game.

This is his first defensive player of the week honor, and the first Spartan to get the honor since Josiah Scott on Nov. 26, 2018.

Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor was named offensive player of the week, Indiana Kicker Logan Justus was special teams player of the week and Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. was named big ten freshman of the week.