Big Ten Roundup (Oct. 4): Taulia Tagovailoa Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

The conference's players of the week were named from last Saturday's round of performances, and Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, while a Minnesota running back was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Everything is coming up Maryland. 

That's at least the way it feels after coach Mike Locksley and the Terrapins advanced to 5-0 this Saturday, pummeling the Indiana Hoosiers 44-17 in College Park. Star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa totaled six touchdowns on the day, and for his efforts, he was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. 

Additionally, Minnesota running back Zach Evans was named Big Ten Freshman of the Wee, Michigan's Josaiah Stewart and Iowa's Nick Jackson were named the Co-Defensive Players of the Week and Cooper DeJean took home Special Teams Player of the Week. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Taulia Tagovailoa, Offensive Player of the Week

You throw for a career high five touchdowns, run for another and win by 27 points, and it's pretty hard to argue that anyone deserved offensive player of the week more than you.

Taulia x 6⃣ 🙌

Watch every TD Taulia Tagovailoa accounted for in @TerpsFootball's Week 5 win. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/8BbiyZqdAP

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 1, 2023

Tagovailoa also became the first quarterback in Maryland history to surpass 9,000 career passing yards in the win, and it's the third time in his career as a Terrapin that he's been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. He last was recognized with the honor following a 56-21 win over Charlotte in Week 2 of the 2022 season. 

The younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Taulia has 1,464 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns through just five games. He's playing the best football of his career right now, which is exactly what Maryland needs as it heads to Columbus to take on Ohio State next Saturday.

Zach Evans, Big Ten Freshman of the Week

 Where does P.J. Fleck keep finding all these superstar freshman running backs?

First, it was Darius Taylor rushing for more than 500 yards and earning the distinction as the Big Ten's best freshman in three straight weeks. This time, it's Evans, who averaged 5.7 yards per carry and totaled 85 rushing yards on the day in Minnesota's 35-24 win over Louisiana Tech.

Zach. Evans. Touchdown‼️#Gophers take the lead. pic.twitter.com/v3243V92zr

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 30, 2023

Big Ten Freshman of the Week is a reward reserved for the Golden Gophers at the moment. 

Additionally, Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his 10-tackle performance against Michigan State, and Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart shared it with him by recording two sacks against Nebraska.

The Hawkeyes' DeJean won Special Teams Player of the Week in the conference for pretty obvious reasons. 

Here's the best angle anyone has posted on his game-saving punt return to date: 

Cooper DeJean. Holy crap. Video from @SavilleSez. pic.twitter.com/ySK6llqQYp

— Jack Lido (@JackLido) October 1, 2023

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