It’s been a while since a Wisconsin Badgers player won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Nearly five years to be exact, with Braelon Allen being the last nominee back in November of 2021.
Well, that changed on Monday, as Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph was named Co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, sharing the award with Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Joseph had his second four-touchdown game of the season, as he completed 9 of 20 passes for 145 yards and three scores,
while rushing for 141 yards and another touchdown. It marked the third straight game that Joseph has accounted for at least three touchdowns, and he’s now up to 13 for the season.
His 141 rushing yards were the second most in a game for a Badger quarterback in program history, trailing only Tanner McEvoy, who had 158 in a game in 2014. Additionally, he had a 47-yard touchdown run, the longest for a Wisconsin quarterback since 1998.
According to the Big Ten, Joseph is just one of four Big Ten quarterbacks to post three touchdowns and rush for 100+ yards in a game since the 2020 season.
In addition to Joseph, Jeremiah Smith won Co-Offensive Player of the Week in a record-breaking performance. He caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa, breaking the Ohio State program record for receiving touchdowns and receptions. Smith also recorded his 15th career 100-yard receiving game, tying Marvin Harrison Jr. for the most in program history.
Joseph is the first Badgers player to win a Big Ten weekly award this season.
