Northwestern University Athletics
Gallagher, Joseph Earn Big Ten Honors
11/23/2020 2:27:00 PM | Football
Evanston, Ill.- Northwestern senior linebacker Blake Gallagher was named as the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week, while rookie safety Brandon Joseph earned Freshman of the Week honors, following their performances in the Wildcats', 17-7, victory over Wisconsin on Saturday.
Gallagher led the 'Cats with a career-high tying 14 total tackles, forced his first-career fumble and posted his second career sack against Wisconsin. It was the second straight game that he recorded a sack in addition to marking the 12th time in his career that he compiled at least 10 total tackles in a single game. This is the first weekly defensive conference honor for the Raynham, Mass. native.
The Wildcats have now had two players named as the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week, with fellow senior linebacker Chris Bergin taking the honor following NU's victory over Nebraska in Week 3. Bergin and Gallagher have led the Northwestern defense to four second half shutouts in five games this season. The last time NU had multiple players win Defensive Player of the Week in a season came in 2015 when Anthony Walker, Jr. (won twice), Deonte Gibson and Dean Lowry earned the recognition.
Joseph snatched two interceptions in the game to bring his season total to five, which is tied for most nationally. The College Station, Texas native is the first Wildcat rookie to record five interceptions in a season since Bryan Heinz did so in 2003 and the first Big Ten newcomer to snatch five interceptions since Tyler Sash of Iowa in 2008. Dating back to 1996, Joseph is the first Northwestern player to record two or more interceptions in multiple games. He is also the fourth player in the Pat Fitzgerald era (2006-present) to record at least two interceptions and seven tackles (which led the Wildcat secondary) in the same game. The last NU first year to win freshman of the week twice was John Moten IV in 2016.
Northwestern is ranked No. 11 in the latest AP Poll, its highest ranking since the 1996 season. The Wildcats return to actoin this weekend at Michigan State. Kick is set for 2:30 p.m. CT with the action broadcasted on ESPN2 and WGN Radio.
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