After every win this season, we honor two Buckeyes with awards for offensive and defensive player of the week.
While the game on Saturday did not go as many expected in the week leading up to the contest, Ohio State still defeated Northwestern, 21-7, in Evanston. And a win is a win, as they say, so we still have some awards to distribute.
Miyan Williams is the offensive player of the game after collecting 111 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 26 carries. Meanwhile, Tommy Eichenberg was Mr. Reliable again for the Ohio State defense, racking up 13 tackles, including 10 solo takedowns and a tackle for loss against the Wildcats.
Congratulations to the Eleven Warriors players of the game for Ohio State's 21-7 win at Northwestern.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 6, 2022
Miyan Williams: 26 carries for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns
Tommy Eichenberg: 13 tackles (10 solo) and 1 TFL pic.twitter.com/teLp084AQS
It took time for Williams to get his feet underneath him on Saturday, as the third-year running back mustered only 13 yards on his first nine carries. However, as the game continued, Williams emerged as the Buckeyes' primary source of offense. He scored touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters and had time to make a snow-less snow angel while helping Ohio State outlast Northwestern in Evanston.
First, he broke tackles.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 5, 2022
Second, he broke out the snow angel celly. @Miyannnn3 x @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/ibqLK4Zyik
This season, Williams leads the Ohio State running back room with 102 carries, 636 yards and 12 touchdowns – all categories in which Williams has also set career highs as a Buckeye. The Cincinnati native has reached those marks despite missing the Michigan State game and exiting the Penn State matchup after only two carries because of what the program called "minor injuries."
As the leader of the defense, Eichenberg made his presence felt against Northwestern on Saturday. He led Ohio State in tackles and was one of three Buckeyes (J.T. Tuimoloau and Zach Harrison) to record a tackle for loss against a Wildcat offense that produced only 285 yards and 7 points.
Eichenberg has been consistent all year for the Buckeyes. The fourth-year linebacker paces the team with 85 tackles – 53 solo and 32 assisted – and eight tackles for loss through nine games. The next closest Ohio State player in those categories are Steele Chambers with 52 tackles and Tuimoloau and Mike Hall Jr. with 7.5 tackles for loss.
Williams and Eichenberg are now both three-time recipients of Eleven Warriors player of the game awards and tie Marvin Harrison Jr. for the team lead in total honors.
Here is a complete list of winners through nine games:
| Game | Offense | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| NOTRE DAME |
MIYAN WILLIAMS, RB 96 yards from scrimmage, TD |
TOMMY EICHENBERG, LB 9 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks |
| ARKANSAS STATE |
MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR 7 catches, 184 yards, 3 TD |
MIKE HALL JR., DT 3 TFL, 1 sack |
| TOLEDO |
C.J. STROUD, QB 22-27, 367 yards, 5 TD |
JAVONTAE JEAN-BAPTISTE, DE 2 TFL, 2 sacks, FF |
| WISCONSIN |
EMEKA EGBUKA, WR 6 catches, 118 yards, 2 TD |
TOMMY EICHENBERG, LB 14 tackles, 2 TFL |
| RUTGERS |
MIYAN WILLIAMS, RB 21 car, 189 yards, 5 TD |
STEELE CHAMBERS, LB 11 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT |
| @ MICHIGAN STATE |
MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR 7 catches, 131 yards, 3 TD |
MIKE HALL JR., DT 3 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks |
| IOWA |
C.J. STROUD, QB 20-30, 286 yards, 4 TD |
ZACH HARRISON, DE 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 1 PBU |
| @ PENN STATE |
MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR 10 catches, 185 yards |
J.T. TUIMOLOAU, DE 6 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT FF, FR, PBU, TD |
| @ NORTHWESTERN |
MIYAN WILLIAMS, RB 26 car, 111 yards, 2 TD |
TOMMY EICHENBERG, LB 13 tackles, 1 TFL |
