Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player, Freshman of the Week

Much-deserved honors have come to a Wisconsin Badgers true freshman.

Tailback Jonathan Taylor has received the Big Ten’s Co-Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week honors for Week 2, the conference announced on Monday.

The accolades should not be a surprise, as the young running back gained 223 yards on 26 carries with three touchdowns in Wisconsin’s 31–14 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday. It was the first time since Melvin Gordon’s 251-yard performance in the 2015 Outback Bowl that a Badgers player has rushed for over 200 yards.

Taylor is also the first Wisconsin back since Zach Brown in 2007 to start a game at running back as a first-year player. He is also the fourth Wisconsin true freshman to rush for over 200 yards in a game, joining Alan Ameche, Ron Dayne, and Zach Brown in sharing that distinction.

The Salem, N.J., native shares the offensive player of the week honors with Iowa’s sophomore quarterback, Nate Stanley.

Stanley, a Menomonie, Wis., native, threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns on 27-of-41 passing in the Hawkeyes’ overtime win vs. Iowa State.