Ohio State Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka Named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week

One week after his mentee Jeremiah Smith was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Egbuka received the conference’s top offensive honors for his nine-catch, 71-yard, three-touchdown performance against Iowa. Egbuka shares the honor with Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in Indiana's win over Northwestern.

Kurtis Rourke Emeka Egbuka

The star QB and WR share Week 6 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.

@ifs #PlayerOfTheWeek pic.twitter.com/nqcSFnBf19

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 7, 2024

In Ohio State’s 35-7 win over Iowa, Egbuka started the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown catch on the Buckeyes’ opening drive. He then collected back-to-back receiving touchdowns in the second half from 15 and three yards out, setting a new career-high with three touchdowns in one game.

Putting O in offense and Ohio State @EgbukaEmeka TOUCHDOWN @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/AZA9gHht4C

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2024

EGBUKA AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/qFfuseXgbA

— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) October 5, 2024

Go off then, @emeka_egbuka The @OhioStateFB WR is having A DAY pic.twitter.com/mEEihKlctm

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2024

The Iowa game was the latest standout performance in what has been a resurgent season for Egbuka. The Washington native had 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns in 10 appearances last season, when he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Ohio State’s fifth game and never returned to form. Through five games in 2024, Egbuka already has 30 receptions for 433 yards and five scores.

“I think Emeka’s one of the best receivers in the country,” Ryan Day said after the Iowa game. “It hurt him last year to have that high-ankle sprain. But when you think about where he was the year before and what he’s doing now, you see a complete player. He’s the captain of our team. He’s a warrior. He does all the dirty work like he did in the Michigan State game. But then to see him come back and have three touchdown catches – and contested all three of those – was huge. He’s a leader. He’s a warrior. And I think he’s one of the better receivers in the entire country. He’s only getting better the more he plays.”