Sophomore Ohio State linebacker Jerome Baker started in place of the injured Dante Booker against Oklahoma and walked away with Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The #B1G Co-Defensive Players of the Week are @UMichFootball's Jabrill Peppers & @OhioStateFB's Jerome Baker pic.twitter.com/Ok3pRrU1ZC
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 19, 2016
Baker split the award with Michigan's Jabrill Peppers, after the Cleveland-area product registered seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception returned 68 yards for a touchdown.
Peppers had 9 tackles—6 solo, and 3.5 tackles for a less while taking snaps in 15 different defensive alignments in a win against Colorado. He also returned a punt that earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his career performance.
The full award list:
| AWARD | PLAYER | SCHOOL | POSITION | PERFORMANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFFENSIVE | NOAH BROWN | OHIO STATE | WR | 5 receptions for 78 yards and 4 touchdowns vs. Oklahoma |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | JABRILL PEPPERS | MICHIGAN | PR | 58-yard punt return vs. Colorado |
| FRESHMAN | CALEB LIGHTBOURN | NEBRASKA | P | Averaged 47.2 yards per punt vs. Oregon |
