A pair of #B1G players went over 100 rushing yards, led by David Cobb of @GopherFootball with 220 yards & 2 TDs. pic.twitter.com/PZnFN6Agpn
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 7, 2014
David Cobb’s monster rushing performance on Saturday earned him the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week Award, the conference announced Monday.
#B1G Co-Players of the Week are @IlliniFootball QB Wes Lunt and @GopherFootball RB David Cobb. pic.twitter.com/n92rsbjn9O
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 8, 2014
Cobb, a senior from Texas, carved up the Middle Tennessee defense for 220 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 35-24 win. His 220 yards are the most ever at TCF Bank Stadium. It was also the first 200-yard rushing performance by a Gopher since 2005.
After two weeks of action Cobb leads the Big Ten in rushing with 291 yards. Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah has 286 yards and Indiana’s Tevin Coleman has 247 yards, but he’s played in only one game.
Cobb was also named Week 2’s national Running Back of the Week by College Football Performance Awards.
Gophers rise in power rankings
It was a bad weekend for the Big Ten. Michigan State lost to a mighty Oregon Ducks team, Nebraska nearly lost to McNeese State, Michigan was shutout by Notre Dame and Ohio State was drubbed by Virginia Tech.
Because Minnesota won, they moved up to No. 4 in the latest conference power rankings from the Big Ten Network.
“The Golden Gophers continue to win the old-fashion way: with strong defense and a physical ground game. The passing attack? It still needs work. Minnesota will struggle to leave TCU next week with a win unless the aerial attack picks up. We’re waiting, Mitch Leidner.”
The aerial attack could rest on the shoulders of freshman quarterback Chris Streveler, who could get his first career start if Leidner’s sprained MCL isn’t healthy enough at game time.
#Gophers have played 8 true freshmen this year and 9 redshirt freshmen through first two games.
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 8, 2014
