Jonathan Taylor and Aron Cruickshank each played a critical role in Wisconsin’s 37-21 victory over Nebraska in Lincoln on Saturday, and both players were rewarded for their efforts by being named Players of the Week by the Big Ten.
Taylor was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Week along with Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson after rushing for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries against the Cornhuskers, a performance in which he broke the legendary Herschel Walker’s record for rushing yards in the first three years of a career and passed Archie Griffin for second place on the Big Ten’s all-time rushing list.
Shea Patterson of @UMichFootball and Jonathan Taylor of @BadgerFootball are the #B1GFootball Co-Offensive Players of the Week. pic.twitter.com/JFXVK42lZI
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 18, 2019
This is the fourth time this season that Taylor has earned Player of the Week honors, and the eighth in his career, which ties Drew Brees for the fourth-most in Big Ten history.
Cruickshank earned Special Teams Co-Player of the Week honors along with Northwestern’s Chris Bergin as a result of his jaw-dropping 89-yard kickoff return touchdown in the first quarter against Nebraska. The play provided Wisconsin with a much-needed boost in momentum after the Cornhuskers seized a 7-0 lead following a Badger turnover.
Chris Bergin of @NUFBFamily and Aron Cruickshank of @BadgerFootball are the #B1GFootball Special Teams Co-Players of the Week. pic.twitter.com/Rb2nsDjCSM
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 18, 2019
It was the first return touchdown of Cruickshank’s young career, and it likely will not be the last with his blazing speed and playmaking ability. The sophomore has been one of the more dangerous return men in college football this season, leading the Big Ten and sitting at No. 10 nationally with an average of 28.4 yards per return.
Taylor and Cruickshank will look to defend their titles against Purdue in Madison on Saturday.