Michigan and USC got scared from Minnesota and Wisconsin, respectively. Penn State halted Illinois’ undefeated start. And Ohio State passed its first Big Ten test and its first road test.

Indiana and Rutgers, now a combined 9-0, continued to turn heads. Oregon, meanwhile, kept its foot on the gas pedal and looked more and more like the contender the Ducks were described as this offseason.

A lot has happened in the 18-team Big Ten. And the conference recognized its top performers of the weekend on Monday.

The Big Ten awarded Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week, Special Teams Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week awards. On3 profiles each of these honorees and their Week 5 outings.

Top 10 co-offensive players of the week: Michigan RB Kalel Mullings and Oregon WR Tez Johnson

Once again, the Big Ten named two offensive players of the week: Michigan running back Kalel Mullings and Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson has collected these awards. Mullings carried the ball 24 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 win over Minnesota. The veteran fullback has been a force in the Wolverines’ backfield over the last three games, posting a 100-yard rushing performance in each game.

Then there’s Johnson, who led Oregon with 11 receptions for a season-high 121 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-13 win at UCLA. Johnson recorded his second consecutive 100-yard reception game. The senior is at the top of the Ducks’ rankings in 2024 with 33 catches, 311 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. He also returned a punt in a Week 2 win over Boise State, an 85-yard return that earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors earlier this month.

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week: Penn State DE Abdul Carter

Penn State won the battle in the trenches with a 21-7 triumph over Illinois last weekend and a defensive end Abdul Carter was a big part of that equation. He recorded two of the Nittany Lions’ seven sacks, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. Carter combined one of those sacks with a strip in the final minute of the fourth quarter, scoring his fourth career forced fumble and securing the two-touchdown victory in front of the Penn State fans at Beaver Stadium.

Carter rounded out the evening with seven tackles, including four solos and four tackles for loss, along with a pass break-up as well as the aforementioned sacks and forced fumble. With 6.5 TFLs this season, the junior is now tied for the lead in the Big Ten.

Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week: Michigan K Dominic Zvada

For the second straight year, Michigan was named the Big Ten’s Special Teams Player of the Week. Last time, punter Tommy Doman got the nod – in a win over USC, Doman returned five punts for 50 yards, a personal best in a single game and a feat not achieved by a Michigan player since at least 1997. This time it’s awesome Dominic Zvada earned the league award.

Zvada made field goals of 35 and 53 yards and three extra points in the three-point victory over Minnesota. Zvada is now 7-for-7 this year, including 4 of 4 from beyond 50 yards. He has converted attempts of 52, 53, 53 and 55 yards this season. SMUs Collin Rodgers is the only other kicker in college football this year to make four 50-yard field goals.

Big Ten Freshman of the Week: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith

Buckeyes freshman phenom wideout Jeremiah Smith broke the internet again, this time with two one-handed catches in a 38-7 win over Michigan State. The first came with a 27-yard pass from the starting quarterback Will Howard. Smith rose between two Spartans defenders and used his right hand to slot the ball in. His left hand helped him secure the reception when he went offside.

Then, later in the same drive, backup quarterback Devin Brown – filling in for Howard, who was knocked out of breath on the final play – Smith threw a 17-yard dart. Smith reached out with his right hand and caught the pass with aplomb for his second touchdown of the night. He previously scored on an end-around flip from Howard, which the first-year standout took 19 yards to the house. Smith totaled 102 yards from scrimmage and added two more touchdowns, giving him a total of six touchdowns on the year.