In a season full of recognition, C.J. Stroud added another accolade to his resume on Monday.
Stroud collected his third Big Ten offensive player of the week of the season after a solid performance against Indiana on Saturday. With Stroud's recognition, a Buckeye has won a weekly conference award after eight of Ohio State's 10 regular-season games in 2022.
For the third time this season, @OhioStateFB's .. is the #B1GFootball Offensive Player of the Week!
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 14, 2022
https://t.co/ywfjNDSSmg pic.twitter.com/FfANN9Cmcw
This season, the Buckeyes have one of the best offenses in college football, and Stroud's 2,750 passing yards and 34 touchdowns – tied with North Carolina's Drake Maye for the most in the NCAA – are significant reasons for that success. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Stroud is the first player in Big Ten history to throw for 30 or more scores in consecutive seasons and joined J.T. Barrett as the only players in conference history to meet that mark across multiple years.
On Saturday, Stroud diced up Indiana for 297 yards and five touchdowns to four different receivers. The first was a 6-yard dart to Emeka Egbuka, followed by a 58-yard deep ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. for the second. After the break, Stroud connected with Cade Stover for two touchdowns from 1-yard and 12-yards out.
C.J. Stroud to Emeka Egbuka. The connection we all know and love. pic.twitter.com/KkV19pjAL6
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 12, 2022
"Marvelous Marv!" pic.twitter.com/6Kj1tYLUCo
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 12, 2022
Can we interest anyone in a Cade Stover touchdown?pic.twitter.com/1cvXo7jZno
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 12, 2022
Can we interest anyone in ANOTHER Cade Stover touchdown? pic.twitter.com/tgdv0pYwlP
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 12, 2022
However, Stroud's fifth touchdown of the afternoon will be the most memorable of the five, as the third-year quarterback threw an 8-yard score to Kamryn Babb midway through the fourth quarter. It was Babb's first-career catch and first-career touchdown after recovering from four ACL tears that have kept him off the football field for five years.
This will be the best thing you see today. Guaranteed. Kam Babb for six. pic.twitter.com/k9frEtXYBn
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 12, 2022
With the Big Ten recognition, Stroud now has three offensive player of the week awards this season. Other Buckeyes to win a conference accolade after a game are Marvin Harrison Jr., Tommy Eichenberg, Miyan Williams, Noah Ruggles and J.T. Tuimoloau.
Here is the complete list of winners and the stats from their award-worthy performances:
Game | AWARD | Player |
---|---|---|
ARKANSAS STATE | OFFENSIVE |
MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR 7 catches, 184 yards, 3 TD |
TOLEDO | OFFENSIVE |
C.J. STROUD, QB 22-27, 367 yards, 5 TD |
WISCONSIN | DEFENSIVE |
TOMMY EICHENBERG, LB 14 tackles, 2 TFL |
RUTGERS | OFFENSIVE |
MIYAN WILLIAMS, RB 21 car, 189 yards, 5 TD |
@ MICHIGAN STATE | OFFENSIVE |
C.J. STROUD, QB 21-26, 361 yards, 6 TD |
IOWA | SPECIAL TEAMS |
NOAH RUGGLES, K 4-4 FGs, 6-6 PATs, 18 pts |
@ PENN STATE | DEFENSIVE |
J.T. TUIMOLOAU, DE 6 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT FF, FR, PBU, TD |
INDIANA | OFFENSIVE |
C.J. STROUD, QB 17-28, 297 yards, 5 TD |