Jabrill Peppers the first to win Big Ten defensive and special team honors in same week
Jabrill Peppers made a little Big Ten history Monday.
(Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com)
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Nick Baumgardner | nbaumgardner@mlive.com
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on September 19, 2016 at 10:45 AM, updated September 19, 2016 at 11:04 AM
ANN ARBOR -- Jabrill Peppers made a little history this weekend.
Well, on Monday anyway.
Michigan's redshirt sophomore standout became the first player to be honored with the Big Ten's defensive player of the week and special teams player of the week award at once, as announced by the league office.
Peppers' took home both awards after a dynamic day during No. 4 Michigan's 45-28 win over Colorado on Saturday.
Grading the Wolverines: Defensive line, Jabrill Peppers lead the way
Michigan had to rally from a rough first quarter to win and move to 3-0.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder made 9 tackles (3 1/2 for a loss) and a sack defensively against the Buffaloes. He also racked up a whopping 180 total return yards, including a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Peppers had 99 punt return yards and 81 kickoff return yards in Michigan's victory.
Peppers did share this week's defensive player honor with Ohio State's Jerome Baker.
For the season, Peppers leads the country with 9 1/2 tackles for loss through three games. He's also the nation's leading punt returner with a total of 173 yards.
He's the third player this season to win a Big Ten weekly award. Linebacker Mike McCray took home the defensive honor after week one while quarterback Wilton Speight was the offensive player of the week last week.
Michigan returns to action Saturday against Penn State (3:30 p.m., ABC) at Michigan Stadium.
Best athlete we've had since since Charles GOAT Woodson