Philip Nelson – UMGoBlog.COM

B1G Week Ten Players of the Week

Offensive Co-Players of the Week

Philip Nelson, Minnesota

So., QB, Mankato, Minn./West

• Combined for 309 total yards, threw four touchdown strikes and completed 70 percent of his passes in Minnesota’s 42-39 victory over Indiana

• Notched career highs in completions (16), yards (298) and touchdowns, becoming the first Gopher quarterback since 2009 to throw four touchdowns in a single game

• Connected with Maxx Williams on a 50-yard touchdown with just over three minutes to play for the eventual game-winning score after returning following an in-game injury

• Records the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career after winning Freshman of the Week accolades on Oct. 29, 2012

• Last Minnesota Offensive Player of the Week: Adam Weber (Nov. 1, 2009)

Bill Belton, Penn State

Jr., RB, Sicklerville, N.J./Winslow Township

• Recorded a career-high 201 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in Penn State’s overtime win against Illinois

Continue reading “B1G Week Ten Players of the Week”

Minnesota Game Prediction

Michigan heads to Minnesota in another (nearly) annual battle for the Little Brown Jug. After finishing with an amazingly perfect record playing in the Metrodome, Michigan
takes its first crack in the new TCF Bank stadium.

Normally, even with Denard possibly out, beating Minnesota wouldn’t be all that difficult. But given that Michigan has been held to a pedestrian 21 points total the past two weeks (via. FG no less) nothing is a given, especially after Minnesota was running roughshod over Purdue last weekend.

We’re not even certain the folks inside the usually impenetrable Fort Schembechler know whether Denard will play (although I have a suspicion he will). Hoke told us Devin Gardner took a good deal of snaps this week at QB, and I suspect that even if Denard goes, that he will get some meaningful snaps.

We’ve been waiting 2/3 of the season for Fitz Touissant to have a breakthrough game. Will this be the week? My thought is he will, as will Thomas Rawls, who many have been clamoring to see more action. Much of this will be due to a greater push by a somewhat disappointing performance to date by a veteran, yet relatively inexperienced offensive line.

Michigan should win this game, if nothing else based on its defense. Even with an offense struggling to move the ball a yard, the Michigan defense played quite admirably last week against a stellar Nebraska offense. While Philip Nelson, a true freshman QB looked good against Purdue last weekend, he hasn’t had Greg Mattison calling plays against him yet. Huge advantage Michigan.

Michigan 27, Minnesota 13

Editor’s Note: Our Recruiting Analyst, Sean O’Connell, will be there in person to cheer on the Wolverines. Go Blue!