Written by Dan Wismar

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Ryan Shazier won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Award for the second consecutive week for his 14 tackle performance against Illinois Saturday. Shazier also broke up a pass against the Illini, and recorded 11 solo tackles.

OSU running back Bri'onte Dunn was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his 13 carry, 73 yard, 1 touchdown showing against the Illini.

The full text of the OSU release on Shazier's honor follows:

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A 14-tackle performance, including a career-best 11 solo tackles and two tackles-for-loss, has earned Ohio State sophomore linebacker Ryan Shazier the Big Ten Conference’s defensive player of the week award.

 This is the second consecutive week that Shazier has been honored by the Big Ten. He was co-defensive player of the week after recording eight tackles, two sacks and intercepting a pass for a touchdown in the Buckeyes’ win over Penn State two weeks ago.

 Shazier’s play in the Buckeyes’ 52-22 win over Illinois marked his fifth double-digit tackling game of the season and leaves him two shy of becoming the first sophomore at Ohio State since James Laurinaitis in 2006 to top 100 tackles in a season. Shazier leads the team with 98 tackles, a total that ranks third in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally.

 Shazier was back to his typical jersey No. 10 vs. the Illini after honoring a late friend during the Penn State game by wearing jersey No. 48.

 The 10-0 and No. 5 (Associated Press) ranked Buckeyes are off this week. They play at Wisconsin Nov. 17 in a 3:30 p.m. EST game that will be televised by ABC and ESPN2.