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Illini Duo Players of the Week

Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe and Sydney Brown were named Big Ten Players of the Week on Monday, the conference office announced. Imatorbhebhe and Brown helped the Fighting Illini upset Michigan State, 37-34, with the biggest comeback in Illinois history after trailing 28-3 in the first half. 

 

Both players shared honors on their side of the ball with players from Minnesota, which beat No. 4 Penn State to remain undefeated. Imatorbhebhe shared Offensive Player of the Week honors with quarterback Tanner Morgan, who threw for 339 yards and three touchdowns, while Brown shared defensive honors with Antoine Winfield Jr., who had 11 tackles and two interceptions. 

 

Imatorbehebhe's four receptions for a career-high 178 yards and two touchdowns at Michigan State were the most receiving yards by an opponent at Spartan Stadium since at least 2000 and the most by an Illinois player ever in the 47-game series history against Michigan State

 

He had a 46-yard touchdown reception as time expired in the first half and an 83-yard touchdown to start the fourth quarter.

 

Imatorbhebhe hauled in a 37-yard reception on 4th and 17 on the Illini's game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes.
 
His nine touchdown receptions this season are tied for the third-most in program history, one away from tying the Illinois single-season record of 10 set by Brandon Lloyd (2001) and David Williams (1985).

 

Brown's 13 tackles included a game-high eight solo stops and a career-high two interceptions.

His first pick came late in the first half to set up an Illini offensive touchdown on the last play of the first half then returned his second interception 76 yards for his first career touchdown during the Illini's 27-point fourth quarter.

 

Brown was the second consecutive Illini to be named Defense Player of the Week. Dele Harding was last week's recipient after his big game helped Illinois to a runaway win over Rutgers. 

Illinois is off this week. 

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