2011 Big Ten Conference football season

August 2023 2011 Big Ten Conference football season #0088ce #FFFFFF NCAA Division I FBS Football Big Ten Conference logo.svg 150 September 3, 2011through January 2012 12 ABC, ESPN Inc., Big Ten Network, FOX (championship game) 2012 NFL Draft 2012 NFL Draft Riley Reiff (Iowa) Detroit Lions, 23rd overall Regular Season Leaders Division Wisconsin Badgers and Penn State Nittany Lions Legends Division Michigan State Spartans Michigan Wolverines Championship Game 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game Wisconsin Badgers Michigan State Russell Wilson Most Valuable Player Montee Ball Chicago Tribune Silver Football Montee Ball Football 2010 2012 The 2011 Big Ten Conference football season is the 116th for the Big Ten. The conference started its season on Saturday, September 3, as each of the conference's teams began their respective 2011 season of NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) competition. This season is Nebraska's first season as a member of the Big Ten, and also marks the creation of conference divisions (named Leaders and Legends), and a championship game.https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5915147 Big Ten divisions: Legends, Leaders Associated Press December 13, 2010 ESPN College Football March 9, 2011 The season was also notable for the Penn State child sex abuse scandal. For the season, Leaders Division champion Wisconsin finished as conference champion by defeating Legends Division champion Michigan State in the 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game. Penn State was Leaders Division co-Champion, while Legends Division runner-up Michigan finished with the conference's best record. The conference earned two BCS bowl invitations and compiled a 4–6 overall record in 2011–12 NCAA football bowl games. The Conference had six 2011 College Football All-America Team consensus selections: Montee Ball, Kevin Zeitler, David Molk, Whitney Mercilus (unanimous), Devon Still, and Jerel Worthy, with the Rimington Trophy going to Molk and the Ted Hendricks Award going to Mercilus. Ball won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football and the conference's players won four national statistical championships: Russell Wilson (passing efficiency), Raheem Mostert (kickoff return average), Ball (scoring), and Mercilus (quarterback sacks). Following the season the conference contributed 41 to the 2012 NFL draft, including 4 in the first round: Riley Reiff (23rd), Mercilus (26th), Zeitler (27th), and A. J. Jenkins (30th). Rankings 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings   Pre Wk1 Wk2 Wk3 Wk4 Wk5 Wk6 Wk7 Wk8 Wk9 Wk10 Wk11 Wk12 Wk13 Wk14 FinalIllinois AP 24 24 19 16 23 RVC RV 22 16 15 21 RVHarrisNot released 14 20 RV RVBCS Not released 23Indiana APCHarrisNot releasedBCS Not releasedIowa AP RV RVC RV RV RV RVHarrisNot released RVBCS Not releasedMichigan AP RV RV RV 22 19 12 11 18 17 13 22 20 17 17 13 12 C RV RV RV 21 19 11 10 17 17 13 21 18 16 16 12 9HarrisNot released 10 17 16 13 21 18 16 16 12BCS Not released 18 18 15 24 18 15 16 13Michigan State AP 17 17 15 RV RV RV 23 15 9 15 13 12 1111 12 11C 17 16 15 23 25 20 19 13 10 16 13 12 10 9 13 10HarrisNot released 22 15 11 17 13 12 11 11 13BCS Not released 16 11 17 17 15 14 11 17Minnesota APCHarrisNot releasedBCS Not releasedNebraska AP 10 10 10 9 8 14 14 13 13 9 18 16 22 20 21 24C 11 10 10 9 8 15 14 11 13 9 17 16 22 19 20 24HarrisNot released 13 11 13 9 17 16 21 19 20BCS Not released 13 14 10 19 16 21 20 20Northwestern AP RV RV RVC RV RV RV RV RVHarrisNot releasedBCS Not releasedOhio State AP 18 15 17 RV RV RVC 16 15 16 RV RV RV RVHarrisNot released RVBCS Not releasedPenn State AP RV 23 RV RV RV RV RV RV 21 16 12 21 20 23 24 RVC 25 20 RV RV RV RV 25 22 19 15 12 21 19 22 23 RVHarrisNot released RV 24 19 16 12 19 18 22 23BCS Not released 21 19 16 12 21 19 23 22Purdue APCHarrisNot releasedBCS Not releasedWisconsin AP 11 8 7 6 7 4 4 4 12 19 16 15 15 15 9 10C 10 9 8 7 7 5 4 4 11 17 14 13 12 12 8 11HarrisNot released 4 4 12 18 14 13 14 13 8BCS Not released 6 15 20 18 17 16 12 10 + Legend     Improvement in ranking   Drop in ranking   Not ranked previous week   No change in ranking from previous week RV Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll Spring games April 9 Purdue Boilermakers April 16 Indiana Hoosiers Iowa Hawkeyes Michigan Wolverines Nebraska Cornhuskers Northwestern Wildcats Penn State Nittany Lions April 23 Illinois Fighting Illini Minnesota Golden Gophers Ohio State Buckeyes Wisconsin Badgers April 30 Michigan State Spartans Big Ten spring dates update Regular season Index to colors and formattingBig Ten member wonBig Ten member lostBig Ten teams in bold All times Eastern time. Rankings reflect that of the AP poll.May 2012 Week 1 w September 1 8:00 p.m. UNLV 11 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN 51–17 77,085 w September 2 7:30 p.m. Youngstown State 17 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI BTN 28–6 75,910 w September 3 12:00 p.m. Northwestern Boston College Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA ESPNU 24–17 37,561 w September 3 12:00 p.m. Akron 18 Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ESPN 42–0 105,001 w September 3 12:00 p.m. Indiana State Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA BTN 41–7 96,461 w September 3 12:00 p.m. Tennessee Tech Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA BTN 34–7 70,585 w September 3 12:00 p.m. Middle Tennessee State Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN BTN 27–24 42,110 l September 3 3:30 p.m. Minnesota 25 USC Los Angeles Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC / ESPN2 19–17 68,273 w September 3 3:30 p.m. Western Michigan Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI ABC / ESPN2 34–10 110,506 w September 3 3:30 p.m. Chattanooga 10 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Ann Arbor, MI BTN 40–7 84,883 w September 3 3:30 p.m. Arkansas State Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL BTN 33–15 45,154 l September 3 6:00 p.m. Indiana Ball State Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN BTN 27–20 40,224 Eastern Time Week 2 l September 10 12:00 p.m. Iowa Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium Ames, IA Cy-Hawk Series FSN 44–41 3OT 56,085 w September 10 12:00 p.m. Florida Atlantic 17 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN2 44–0 70,249 w September 10 12:00 p.m. Toledo 15 Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH BTN 27–22 105,016 w September 10 12:00 p.m. Oregon State 8 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN 35–0 80,337 w September 10 12:00 p.m. South Dakota State Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL BTN 56–3 42,212 w September 10 3:30 p.m. Eastern Illinois Northwestern Ryan Field (stadium) Evanston, IL BTN 42–21 28,042 l September 10 3:30 p.m. New Mexico State Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN BTN 28–21 48,807 l September 10 3:30 p.m. 3 Alabama 23 Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC 27–11 107,846 l September 10 3:30 p.m. Purdue Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX CBS Sports Network 24–22 25,317 l September 10 7:00 p.m. Virginia Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN BTN 34–31 41,549 w September 10 7:00 p.m. Fresno State 10 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE BTN 42–29 85,101 w September 10 8:00 p.m. Notre Dame Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI Mich-ND rivalry ESPN 35–31 114,804 Eastern Time Week 3 w September 17 12:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI BTN 31–3 110,343 w September 17 12:00 p.m. Penn State Temple Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA ESPN 14–10 57,323 w September 17 12:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA ESPN2 31–27 70,585 w September 17 12:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri State Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN BTN 59–0 46,116 w September 17 3:30 p.m. South Carolina State Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN BTN 38–21 41,203 l September 17 3:30 p.m. 15 Michigan State Notre Dame Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN Megaphone Trophy NBC 31–13 80,795 w September 17 3:30 p.m. Miami (OH) Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN BTN 29–23 49,950 w September 17 3:30 p.m. Washington 11 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC 51–38 85,110 l September 17 3:30 p.m. Northwestern Army Michie Stadium West Point, NY CBS 21–14 35,784 w September 17 3:30 p.m. 7 Wisconsin Northern Illinois Soldier Field Chicago, IL ESPN3 49–7 41,068 w September 17 3:30 p.m. 22 Arizona State Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL BTN 17–14 50,669 l September 17 7:30 p.m. 17 Ohio State Miami (FL) Sun Life Stadium Miami, FL ESPN 24–6 66,279 Eastern Time Week 4 w September 24 12:00 p.m. Central Michigan Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPNU 45–7 72,119 w September 24 12:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN2 34–6 95,636 w September 24 12:00 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA BTN 45–17 70,585 w September 24 3:30 p.m. Colorado Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC \ ESPN2 37–17 105,096 w September 24 3:30 p.m. South Dakota 6 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI BTN 59–10 78,880 w September 24 3:30 p.m. Western Michigan 24 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL BTN 23–20 43,684 l September 24 7:00 p.m. North Dakota State Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN BTN 37–24 48,802 l September 24 7:00 p.m. Indiana North Texas Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN ESPN3 24–21 21,181 w September 24 7:30 p.m. 9 Nebraska Wyoming War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY NBC Sports Network 38–14 32,617 Eastern Time Date Bye WeekSeptember 24 Northwestern Purdue Week 5 October 1 12:00 p.m. Penn State Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN ESPNU PSU16–10 42,621 October 1 12:00 p.m. Minnesota 19 Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI Little Brown Jug BTN MICH 58–0 111,106 October 1 12:00 p.m. yes Northwestern 24 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Land of Lincoln Trophy BTN ILL 38–35 53,243 October 1 3:30 p.m. Michigan State Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC / ESPN2 MSU 10–7 105,306 October 1 8:00 p.m. 8 Nebraska 7 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ABC WIS 48–17 81,384 l October 1 8:00 p.m. Notre Dame Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN Shillelagh Trophy ESPN 38–10 61,555 Eastern Time Date Bye WeekOctober 1 Iowa Week 6 October 8 12:00 p.m. Minnesota Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN ESPN PUR 45–17 38,207 October 8 2:30 p.m. 19 Illinois Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN BTN ILL 41–20 41,665 October 8 3:30 p.m. Iowa Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC / ESPN PSU 13–3 103,497 October 8 7:00 p.m. 12 Michigan Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL BTN MICH 42–24 47,330 October 8 8:00 p.m. yes Ohio State 14 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC NEB 34–27 85,426 Eastern Time Date Bye WeekOctober 8 Michigan State #4 Wisconsin Week 7 October 15 12:00 p.m. 11 Michigan 23 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Paul Bunyan Trophy ESPN MSU 28–14 77,515 October 15 12:00 p.m. yes Purdue Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA BTN PSU 23–18 100,820 October 15 12:00 p.m. yes Indiana 4 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN2 WIS 59–7 80,732 October 15 3:30 p.m. Ohio State 16 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck ABC / ESPN OSU 17–7 55,229 October 15 7:00 p.m. Northwestern Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA BTN IOWA 41–31 70,585 Eastern Time Date Bye WeekOctober 15 Minnesota #14 Nebraska Week 8 October 22 12:00 p.m. yes Indiana Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA BTN IOWA 45–24 70,585 October 22 12:00 p.m. yes 23 Illinois Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN Purdue Cannon ESPN2 PUR 21–14 45,146 October 22 3:30 p.m. yes 13 Nebraska Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN ABC / ESPN2 NEB 41–14 49,187 October 22 7:00 p.m. yes 21 Penn State Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL BTN PSU 34–24 40,004 October 22 8:00 p.m. yes 6 Wisconsin 16 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN MSU 37–31 76,405 Eastern Time Date Bye WeekOctober 22 #18 Michigan Ohio State Week 9 October 29 12:00 p.m. yes Northwestern Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN BTN NW 59–38 39,239 October 29 12:00 p.m. yes Purdue 18 Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI ESPN2 MICH 36–14 112,115 October 29 12:00 p.m. 11 Michigan State 14 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ESPN NEB 24–3 85,641 October 29 3:30 p.m. Iowa Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN Floyd of Rosedale BTN MIN 22–21 46,543 October 29 3:30 p.m. Illinois 19 Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC / ESPN2 PSU 10–7 97,828 October 29 8:00 p.m. yes 15 Wisconsin Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ESPN OSU 33–29 105,511 Eastern Time Week 10 November 5 12:00 p.m. Minnesota 17 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI BTN MSU 31–24 72,219 November 5 12:00 p.m. Indiana Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH BTN OSU 34–20 105,195 November 5 12:00 p.m. 15 Michigan Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA ESPN IOWA 24–16 70,585 November 5 3:30 p.m. Northwestern 10 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE BTN NW 28–25 85,115 November 5 3:30 p.m. Purdue 20 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI BTN WIS 62–17 80,566 Eastern Time Date Bye WeekNovember 5 Illinois #16 Penn State Week 11 w November 12 12:00 p.m. Rice Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL BTN 28–6 26,886 November 12 12:00 p.m. 19 Nebraska 12 Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN NEB 17–14 107,903 November 12 12:00 p.m. 17 Michigan State Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA ESPN2 MSU 37–21 70,585 November 12 12:00 p.m. Ohio State Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN BTN PUR 26–23 43,334 November 12 3:30 p.m. 18 Wisconsin Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN Paul Bunyan's Axe BTN WIS 42–13 49,158 November 12 3:30 p.m. 24 Michigan Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL ABC / ESPN MICH 31–14 60,670 Eastern Time Date Bye WeekNovember 12 Indiana Week 12 November 19 12:00 p.m. Minnesota Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL BTN NW 28–13 26,215 November 19 12:00 p.m. Indiana 15 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI Old Brass Spittoon BTN MSU 55–3 74,128 November 19 12:00 p.m. 16 Nebraska 18 Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI ESPN MICH 45–17 113,718 November 19 12:00 p.m. 17 Wisconsin Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL ESPN2 WIS 28–17 45,519 November 19 12:00 p.m. Iowa Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN BTN IOWA 31–21 40,106 November 19 3:30 p.m. 21 Penn State Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC / ESPN PSU 20–14 105,493 Eastern Time Week 13 November 25 12:00 p.m. Iowa 21 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE Heroes Trophy ABC NEB 20–7 85,595 November 26 12:00 p.m. 14 Michigan State Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL BTN MSU 31–17 32,172 November 26 12:00 p.m. Ohio State 15 Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI The Game ABC MICH 40–34 114,132 November 26 3:30 p.m. Purdue Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN Old Oaken Bucket BTN PUR 33–25 42,005 November 26 3:30 p.m. Illinois Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN BTN MIN 27–7 41,549 November 26 3:30 p.m. 19 Penn State 16 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN WIS 45–7 79,708 Eastern Time Big Ten Championship Game December 3 8:00 p.m. 10 Wisconsin 17 Michigan State Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN 2011 Big Ten Championship FOX WIS 42–39 64,152 Eastern Time Players of the week Week Offensive Defensive Special Teams Freshman Player Position Team Player Position Team Player Position Team Player Position TeamWeek 1Russell WilsonQBWISBrandon HerronLBMICHBrett MaherP/PKNEBHouston BatesLBILLChaz PowellKRPSUWeek 2Denard RobinsonQBMICHMike TaylorLBWISAmeer AbdullahKRNEBAmeer AbdullahKRNEBWeek 3James VandenbergQBIOWAJonathan BrownLBILLDuane BennettRBMINND'Angelo RobertsRBINDWeek 4Denard RobinsonQBMICHTom NardoDTIOWADerek DimkePKILLDonovonn YoungRBILLMatt McGloinQBPSUWeek 5A.J. JenkinsWRILLMike TaylorLBWISAnthony FeraPK/PPSUMarcus RushDEMSURussell WilsonQBWISWeek 6Taylor MartinezQBNEBTavon WilsonCBILLBrett MaherP/PKNEBShayne WynnKRINDWeek 7Montee BallRBWISJohn SimonDTOSUAnthony FeraP/PKPSUMike SadlerPMSUWeek 8Marvin McNuttWRIOWAGerald HodgesLBPSUKyler ElsworthLBMSUTre RobersonQBINDKirk CousinsQBMSUKawann ShortDTPURWeek 9Drake DunsmoreTENWGerald HodgesLBPSUJordan WettsteinPKMINNBraxton MillerQBOSUWeek 10Kain ColterQBNWChris BorlandLBWISMike SadlerPMSURaheem MostertKRPURMontee BallRBWISWeek 11Russell WilsonQBWISRyan Van BergenDEMICHBrett MaherP/PKNEBMike SadlerPMSUKawann ShortDTPURBruce GastonDTPURWeek 12Denard RobinsonQBMICHChris BorlandLBWISAnthony FeraP/PKPSURyan ShazierLBOSUMontee BallRBWISWeek 13Denard RobinsonQBMICHKim RoystonDBMINNCarson WiggsPKPURBraxton MillerQBOSUMontee BallRBWISLavonte DavidLBNEB Attendance TeamStadiumCapacityGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6Game 7Game 8TotalAverage% of CapacityIllinoisMemorial Stadium60,67045,15442,21250,66943,68453,24355,22960,67054,633405,49450,68783.5%IndianaMemorial Stadium52,92941,54941,20342,62141,66539,23942,0050 —0 —248,28241,38078.2%IowaKinnick Stadium70,58570,58570,58570,58570,58570,58570,58570,5850 —494,09570,585100%MichiganMichigan Stadium109,901110,506114,804110,343110,707111,106112,115113,718114,132897,431112,179102%Michigan StateSpartan Stadium75,00575,91070,24972,11977,51576,40572,21974,1280 —518,54574,07898.8%MinnesotaTCF Bank Stadium50,80548,80749,95048,80249,18746,54349,15841,5490 —333,99647,71493.9%NebraskaMemorial Stadium81,06784,88385,10185,11085,42685,64185,11585,5950 —596,87185,267105%NorthwesternRyan Field47,13028,04247,33040,00426,88626,21527,1370 —0 —195,61432,60269.1%Ohio StateOhio Stadium102,329105,001105,016105,096105,306105,511105,159105,4930 —736,582105 226102.8%Penn StateBeaver Stadium107,28296,461107,84695,636103,497100,82097,828107,1930 —709,281101,32694.4%PurdueRoss–Ade Stadium62,50042,11046,11661,55538,20745,14643,33440,1060 —316,57445,22572.3%WisconsinCamp Randall Stadium80,31277,08580,33778,88081,38480,73279,7080 —0 —478,12679,68899.2% Post-season awards and honors Individual Big Ten Award Winners Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year: Marvin McNutt, Iowa Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year: Montee Ball, Wisconsin Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year: Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year: David Molk, Michigan Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year: Devon Still, Penn State Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Lavonte David, Nebraska Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year: Brett Maher, Nebraska Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year: Brett Maher, Nebraska All-Big Ten The following players were named by the coaches.:http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112811aad.html All-Big Ten Honors 2011-12-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20111129235824/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112811aad.html 2011-11-29 dead Position Player Class Team First Team Offense QB Russell Wilson Sr. Wisconsin RB Montee Ball Jr. Wisconsin RB Rex Burkhead Jr. Nebraska WR A.J. Jenkins Sr. Illinois WR Marvin McNutt Sr. Iowa TE Drake Dunsmore Sr. Northwestern OT Riley Reiff Jr. Iowa OG Joel Foreman Sr. Michigan State C David Molk Sr. Michigan OG Kevin Zeitler Sr. Wisconsin OT Josh Oglesby Sr. Wisconsin First Team Defense DL Whitney Mercilus Jr. Illinois DL Jerel Worthy Jr. Michigan State DL John Simon Jr. Ohio State DL Devon Still Sr. Penn State LB Lavonte David Jr. Nebraska LB Gerald Hodges Sr. Penn State LB Chris Borland So. Wisconsin DB Shaun Prater Sr. Iowa DB Johnny Adams Jr. Michigan State DB Alfonzo Dennard Sr. Nebraska DB Aaron Henry Sr. Wisconsin First Team Special Teams K Brett Maher Jr. Nebraska P Brett Maher Jr. Nebraska Position Player Class Team Second Team Offense QB Kirk Cousins Sr. Michigan State RB Marcus Coker So. Iowa RB Silas Redd So. Penn State WR B.J. Cunningham Sr. Michigan State WR Nick Toon Sr. Wisconsin TE Brian Linthicum Sr. Michigan State OT Taylor Lewan So. Michigan OG Adam Gettis Sr. Iowa C Mike Caputo Sr. Nebraska C Mike Brewster Sr. Ohio State OG Travis Frederick So. Wisconsin OT Mike Adams Sr. Ohio State Second Team Defense DL Michael Buchanan Jr. Illinois DL Mike Daniels Sr. Iowa DL Mike Martin Sr. Michigan DL William Gholston So. Michigan State DL Jack Crawford Sr. Penn State DL Kawann Short Jr. Purdue LB Max Bullough So. Michigan State LB Andrew Sweat Sr. Ohio State LB Mike Taylor Jr. Wisconsin DB Isaiah Lewis So. Michigan State DB C.J. Barnett So. Ohio State DB Nick Sukay Sr. Penn State DB Ricardo Allen So. Purdue Second Team Special Teams K Carson Wiggs Sr. Purdue P Cody Webster So. Purdue HONORABLE MENTION: Illinois: Jeff Allen, Jonathan Brown, Derek Dimke, Terry Hawthorne, Ian Thomas; Indiana: Mitch Ewald, Jeff Thomas; Iowa: Broderick Binns, James Ferentz, Eric Guthrie, Micah Hyde, James Morris, Markus Zusevics; Michigan: Kenny Demens, J.T. Floyd, Kevin Koger, Junior Hemingway, Denard Robinson, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Ryan Van Bergen; Michigan State: Denicos Allen, Le'Veon Bell, Kenshawn Martin, Trenton Robinson, Marcus Rush; Minnesota: Kim Royston; Nebraska: Will Compton, Ben Cotton, Spencer Long, Marcel Jones, Baker Steinkuhler; Northwestern: Jeremy Ebert, Jordan Mabin, Brian Mulroe, Al Netter, Dan Persa, Brian Peters; Ohio State: Johnathan Hankins, Dan Herron, Jack Mewhort, Jake Stoneburner; Penn State: Drew Astorino, Anthony Fera, Jordan Hill, D'Anton Lynn, Derek Moye, Chima Okoli, Chaz Powell, Johnnie Troutman; Purdue: Joe Holland, Dennis Kelly; Wisconsin: Jared Abbrederis, Patrick Butrym, Antonio Fenelus, Peter Konz, Brad Nortman, Jacob Pedersen, Ricky Wagner. The following players were named by the media panel. Position Player Class Team First Team Offense QB Russell Wilson Sr. Wisconsin RB Montee Ball Jr. Wisconsin RB Rex Burkhead Jr. Nebraska WR A.J. Jenkins Sr. Illinois WR Marvin McNutt Sr. Iowa TE Drake Dunsmore Sr. Northwestern OT Riley Reiff Jr. Iowa OG Joel Foreman Sr. Michigan State C Peter Konz Jr. Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler Sr. Wisconsin OT Josh Oglesby Sr. Wisconsin First Team Defense DL Whitney Mercilus Jr. Illinois DL Jerel Worthy Jr. Michigan State DL Devon Still Sr. Penn State DL Kawann Short Jr. Purdue LB Lavonte David Jr. Nebraska LB Chris Borland So. Wisconsin LB Mike Taylor Jr. Wisconsin DB Trenton Robinson Sr. Michigan State DB Alfonzo Dennard Sr. Nebraska DB Brian Peters Sr. Northwestern DB Antonio Fenelus Sr. Wisconsin First Team Special Teams K Brett Maher Jr. Nebraska P Brett Maher Jr. Nebraska Position Player Class Team Second Team Offense QB Denard Robinson Jr. Michigan RB Marcus Coker So. Iowa RB Silas Redd So. Penn State WR B.J. Cunningham Sr. Michigan State WR Jeremy Ebert Sr. Northwestern TE Jacob Pedersen So. Wisconsin OT Jeff Allen Sr. Illinois OG Spencer Long So. Nebraska C David Molk Sr. Michigan OG Travis Frederick So. Wisconsin OT Mike Adams Sr. Ohio State Second Team Defense DL Michael Buchanan Jr. Illinois DL Broderick Binns Sr. Iowa DL Mike Martin Sr. Michigan DL William Gholston So. Michigan State DL John Simon Sr. Ohio State LB Jonathan Brown Jr. Illinois LB Denicos Allen So. Michigan State LB Gerald Hodges Jr. Penn State DB Micah Hyde Sr. Iowa DB Johnny Adams Jr. Michigan State DB Isaiah Lewis So. Michigan State DB Nick Sukay Sr. Penn State Second Team Special Teams K Anthony Fera Sr. Penn State P Cody Webster So. Purdue HONORABLE MENTION: Illinois: Derek Dimke, Terry Hawthorne, Travon Wilson; Indiana: Mitch Ewald; Iowa: Mike Daniels, James Ferentz, Adam Gettis, Eric Guthrie, James Morris, Tyler Nielsen, Shaun Prater, Markus Zusevics; Michigan: Kenny Demens, J.T. Floyd, Kevin Koger, Jordan Kovacs, Taylor Lewan, Craig Roh, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Ryan Van Bergen; Michigan State: Le'Veon Bell, Max Bullough, Dan Conroy, Kirk Cousins, Darqueze Dennard, Brian Linthicum, Chris McDonald, Chris Norman, Kevin Pickelman, Marcus Rush; Minnesota: Chris Bunders, Kim Royston; Nebraska: Mike Caputo, Austin Cassidy, Will Compton, Ben Cotton, Marcel Jones, Cameron Meredith, Daimion Stafford, Baker Steinkuhler; Northwestern: Kain Colter, Jordan Mabin, Brian Mulroe, Al Netter, Dan Persa; Ohio State: C.J. Barnett, Mike Brewster, Johnathan Hankins, Jack Mewhort, Tyler Moeller, Andrew Norwell, Jake Stoneburner, Andrew Sweat; Penn State: Drew Astorino, Quinn Barham, Jack Crawford, Jordan Hill, D'Anton Lynn, Chima Okoli, Chaz Powell, Nate Stupar, Johnnie Troutman; Purdue: Ricardo Allen, Dwayne Beckford, Joe Holland, Dennis Kelly, Carson Wiggs; Wisconsin: Jared Abbrederis, Patrick Butrym, Aaron Henry, Brad Nortman, Nick Toon, Ricky Wagner, Philip Welch. National Award Winners David Molk, Michigan – Rimington Trophy Whitney Mercilus, Illinois – Ted Hendricks Award First Team All-Americans There are many outlets that award All-America honors in football. The NCAA uses five official selectors to also determine Consensus and Unanimous All-America honors. The five teams used by the NCAA to compile the consensus team are from the Associated Press, the AFCA, the FWAA, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. A point system is used to calculate the consensus honors. The point system consists of three points for first team, two points for second team and three points for third team. No honorable mention or fourth team or lower are used in the computation. The teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named a Consensus All-American. If there is a tie at a position in football for first team then the players who are tied shall be named to the team. A player named first-team by all five of the NCAA-recognized selectors is recognized as a Unanimous All-American.https://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/stats/statistics+policies NCAA Consensus All-America selection 2011-12-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20120103181529/http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Resources/Stats/Statistics+Policies 2012-01-03 dead 2011 College Football All-America Team Player School Position Selector Consensus/Unanimous Montee Ball Wisconsin RB AFCA, FWAA, AP, Sporting News, CBS Sports, ESPN, Scout.com, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo! Sports Consensus Jay Prosch Illinois FB Pro Football Weekly   Riley Reiff Iowa OT Pro Football Weekly   Kevin Zeitler Wisconsin OG AFCA, AP, Pro Football Weekly Consensus Peter Konz Wisconsin C AFCA, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly   David Molk Michigan C AP, FWAA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, Scout.com Consensus Whitney Mercilus Illinois DE AFCA, AP, FWAA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, ESPN, Scout.com, Yahoo! Sports Unanimous Devon Still Penn State DT AP, FWAA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, ESPN, Pro Football Weekly, Scout.com, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo! Sports Consensus Jerel Worthy Michigan State DT AFCA, AP, Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, Scout.com, Yahoo! Sports Consensus Lavonte David Nebraska LB AFCA, CBS Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports   Brett Maher Nebraska PK Yahoo! Sports   Academic All-American The Big Ten led all conferences with 7 Academic All-America selections: 1st team – Rex Burkhead (Nebraska), Austin Cassidy (Nebraska), Patrick Ward (Northwestern) and Joe Holland (Purdue); 2nd team – Mike Sadler (Michigan State), Sean Fisher (Nebraska) and Jacob Schmidt (Northwestern). Cassidy was one of four repeat first-team winners, while Holland was a 2010 second-team selection.http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120811aab.html Big Ten Leads All Conferences With Seven Academic All-Americans: Big Ten Tops All FBS Conferences in Honorees for Seventh Straight Season 2012-01-20 2012-01-08 BigTen.org CBS Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20120108094859/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120811aab.html 2012-01-08 dead Bowl games 2011–12 NCAA football bowl games Big Ten Bowl GamesNo.GameDateLocation/Time*TelevisionBig Ten Team+ScoreOpponent+ScorePayout (US$) per team 1. Little Caesars Bowl Dec. 27, 2011 Ford FieldDetroit, Michigan4:30 pm ESPN Purdue (6–6) 37 Western Michigan (7–5) 32 $750,000 2. Insight Bowl Dec. 30, 2011 Sun Devil StadiumTempe, Arizona10:00 pm ESPN Iowa (7–5) 14 #19 Oklahoma (9–3) 31 $1,200,000 3. Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas Dec. 31, 2011 Reliant StadiumHouston Texas12:00 pm ESPN Northwestern (6–6) 22 Texas A&M (6–6) 33 $1,700,000 4. Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Dec. 31, 2011 AT&T ParkSan Francisco, California3:30 pm ESPN Illinois (6–6) 20 UCLA (6–7) 14 $750,000–$825,000 5. TicketCity Bowl Jan. 2, 2012 Cotton BowlDallas, Texas12:00 pm ESPNU #24 Penn State (9–3) 14 #20 Houston (12–1) 30 $1,200,000 6. Outback Bowl Jan. 2, 2012 Raymond James StadiumTampa, Florida1:00 pm ABC #12 Michigan State (10–3) 33 #18 Georgia (10–3) 30 $3,400,000 7. Capital One Bowl Jan. 2, 2012 Citrus BowlOrlando, Florida1:00 pm ESPN #21 Nebraska (9–3) 13 #10 South Carolina (10–2) 30 $4,250,000 8. TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl Jan. 2, 2012 EverBank FieldJacksonville, Florida1:00 pm ESPN2 Ohio State (6–6) 17 Florida (6–6) 24 $2,500,000 9. Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 2012 Rose BowlPasadena, California5:10 pm ESPN #9 Wisconsin (11–2) 38 #6 Oregon (11–2) 45 $18,000,000 10. Allstate Sugar Bowl Jan. 3, 2012 Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeNew Orleans, Louisiana8:30 pm ESPN #13 Michigan (10–2) 23 #17 Virginia Tech (11–2) 20 $17,000,000 *Time given is Eastern Time (UTC-5).+Winning team is bolded.Rankings are AP. 2012 NFL draft 2012 NFL draft The conference lost 4 players in the first round of the NFL Draft:https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/49191/illinois-leads-late-arriving-b1g-first-round Illinois leads late arriving B1G first round 2012-04-27 2012-04-27 ESPN Bennett, Brian A total of 41 Big Ten players were drafted.http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042612aac.html 2012 NFL Draft Central 2012-04-28 2012-04-28 CBS Interactive BigTen.org https://web.archive.org/web/20120524062345/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042612aac.html 2012-05-24 dead TeamRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7TotalIllinois224Indiana0Iowa1112117Michigan123Michigan State12216Minnesota0Nebraska1124Northwestern22Ohio State1124Penn State1214Purdue112Wisconsin1111116 250pt 2012 1 23 Detroit Lions Riley Reiff OT 2011 University of Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa no yes 2012 1 26 Houston Texans Whitney Mercilus DE 2011 University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Illinois Fighting Illini Illinois no yes 2012 1 27 Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Zeitler G 2011 University of Wisconsin–Madison Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin no from New Orleans via New England Pick27Ref No. 27: multiple trades: No. 27: New Orleans → New England (PD). New Orleans traded this selection and their 2011 second-round selection (No. 56, New England selected Shane Vereen) to New England for New England's first-round selection in the 2011 Draft (No. 28, New Orleans selected Mark Ingram II).https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4695468/patriots-trade-28th-pick-to-saints Patriots trade 28th pick to Saints ESPN Reiss, Mike April 28, 2011 April 28, 2011 Pick27Trade2No. 27: New England → Cincinnati (D). see No. 21: Cincinnati → New England.May 2012 "R1 -" yes 2012 1 30 San Francisco 49ers A. J. Jenkins WR 2011 University of Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini Illinois no yes 2012 2 44 Kansas City Chiefs Jeff Allen Jeff Allen (offensive guard) G 2011 University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Illinois Fighting Illini Illinois no yes 2012 2 48 New England Patriots Tavon Wilson S 2011 University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Illinois Fighting Illini Illinois no from OaklandRaidersPatriotsNo. 48: Oakland → New England (PD). Oakland traded this selection and a 2011 seventh-round selection (No. 219, New England selected Malcolm Williams) to New England for New England's third- and fourth-round selections in 2011 (Nos. 92 and 125, Oakland selected Joseph Barksdale and Taiwan Jones, respectively).http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/04/29/patriots-make-third-trade-get-raiders-12-second-ro Patriots make third trade; get Raiders' '12 second-round pick Pro Football Weekly PFW Staff April 29, 2011 April 29, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20140515030647/http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/04/29/patriots-make-third-trade-get-raiders-12-second-ro 2014-05-15 dead "R2 -" yes 2012 2 51 Green Bay Packers Jerel Worthy DT 2011 Michigan State University Michigan State Spartans Michigan State no from Arizona via PhiladelphiaKevinKolbNo. 51: Arizona → Philadelphia (PD). Arizona traded this selection and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia for QB Kevin Kolb.http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-eagles/Kolb-trade-getting-close.html Kolb-for-Rodgers-Cromartie trade done The Philadelphia Inquirer McLane, Jeff July 28, 2011 July 28, 2011 "R2 -" yes 2012 2 53 Cincinnati Bengals Devon Still DT 2011 Pennsylvania State University Penn State Nittany Lions Penn State no yes 2012 2 55 Atlanta Falcons Peter Konz C 2011 University of Wisconsin–Madison Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin no yes 2012 2 56 Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Adams Mike Adams (offensive tackle) OT 2011 Ohio State University Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio State no yes 2012 2 58 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Lavonte David LB 2011 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Nebraska Cornhuskers Nebraska no from Houston yes 2012 3 68 Houston Texans DeVier Posey WR 2011 Ohio State University Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio State no from Tampa Bay yes 2012 3 75 Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson QB 2011 University of Wisconsin–Madison Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin no yes 2012 3 82 Tennessee Titans Mike Martin Mike Martin (defensive lineman) DT 2011 University of Michigan Michigan Wolverines Michigan no yes 2012 4 102 Washington Redskins Kirk Cousins QB 2011 Michigan State University Michigan State Spartans Michigan State no yes 2012 4 121 Houston Texans Keshawn Martin WR 2011 Michigan State University Michigan State Spartans Michigan State no yes 2012 4 122 New Orleans Saints Nick Toon WR 2011 University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin no yes 2012 4 126 Houston Texans Jared Crick DE 2011 University of Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers Nebraska no from New England via Denver and Tampa BayPick126Ref No. 126: multiple trades: No. 126: New England → Denver (D). see No. 25: Denver → New England. Pick126Trade2 No. 126: Denver → Tampa Bay (D). see No. 31: Denver → Tampa Bay. "R4 -" yes 2012 yes 4 132 Green Bay Packers Mike Daniels Mike Daniels (American football) DT 2011 University of Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa no yes 2012 5 141 Washington Redskins Adam Gettis OG 2011 University of Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa no yes 2012 5 149 San Diego Chargers Johnnie Troutman OG 2011 Pennsylvania State University Penn State Nittany Lions Penn State no yes 2012 5 153 Philadelphia Eagles Dennis Kelly Dennis Kelly (American football) OT 2011 Purdue University Purdue Boilermakers Purdue no yes 2012 5 156 Cincinnati Bengals Shaun Prater CB 2011 University of Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa no yes 2012 5 157 Atlanta Falcons Bradie Ewing FB 2011 University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin no yes 2012 5 158 Oakland Raiders Jack Crawford Jack Crawford (American football) DE 2011 Pennsylvania State University Penn State Nittany Lions Penn State no yes 2012 6 180 San Francisco 49ers Trenton Robinson S 2011 Michigan State University Michigan State Spartans Michigan State no from Carolina yes 2012 6 183 Miami Dolphins B.J. Cunningham WR 2011 Michigan State University Michigan State Spartans Michigan State no from San Diego yes 2012 6 191 Cincinnati Bengals Dan Herron RB 2011 Ohio State University Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio State no yes 2012 6 194 Philadelphia Eagles Marvin McNutt WR 2011 University of Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa no from DenverJoeMaysJJArringtonNo. 194: Denver → Philadelphia (PD). Denver traded this selection to Philadelphia for linebacker Joe Mays. Denver originally sent running back J. J. Arrington to Philadelphia, with the condition that if Arrington did not make Philadelphia's 53-man roster, Denver would instead send the sixth-round selection.https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5425354 Eagles trade Mays for RB or draft pick ESPN July 30, 2010 December 19, 2010 "R6 -" yes 2012 6 195 Houston Texans Nick Mondek OT 2011 Purdue University Purdue Boilermakers Purdue no yes 2012 yes 6 207 Carolina Panthers Brad Nortman P 2011 University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin no yes 2012 7 217 Washington Redskins Jordan Bernstine CB 2011 University of Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa no from Buffalo yes 2012 7 224 New England Patriots Alfonzo Dennard CB 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers no from New York JetsCalebSchlauderaffNo. 224: New York Jets → Green Bay (PD). The Jets traded this selection to Green Bay in exchange for guard Caleb Schlauderaff.http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/129193113.html Packers trade Johnson, Schlauderaff for draft picks Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Tom Silverstein September 3, 2011 September 3, 2011 "R7 -" yes 2012 7 226 San Diego Chargers David Molk C 2011 Michigan Wolverines no yes 2012 7 230 Detroit Lions Nathan Stupar OLB 2011 Penn State Penn State Nittany Lions Penn State no yes 2012 7 233 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Drake Dunsmore TE 2011 Northwestern University Wildcats no from Houston yes 2012 7 234 New Orleans Saints Marcel Jones OT 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers no yes 2012 7 235 New England Patriots Jeremy Ebert WR 2011 Northwestern University Wildcats no yes 2012 7 238 Kansas City Chiefs Junior Hemingway WR 2011 Michigan Wolverines no from New EnglandJarradPageNo. 238: New England → Kansas City (PD). New England traded this conditional selection to Kansas City for safety Jarrad Page.https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4682708/patriots-trade-for-safety-page Patriots trade for safety Jarrad Page ESPNBoston.com Mike Reiss September 4, 2010 September 4, 2010 "R7 -" yes 2012 yes 7 250 San Diego Chargers Edwin Baker Edwin Baker (American football) RB 2011 Michigan State Spartans no yes Head coaches Ron Zook and Vic Koenning (for bowl game), Illinois Kevin R. Wilson, Indiana Kirk Ferentz, Iowa Brady Hoke, Michigan Mark Dantonio, Michigan State Jerry Kill, Minnesota Bo Pelini, Nebraska Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Luke Fickell, Ohio State Joe Paterno (first nine games) and Tom Bradley (last three games), Penn State Danny Hope, Purdue Bret Bielema, Wisconsin Joe Paterno was fired as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 9 in the wake of the Penn State sex abuse scandal. Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paterno-fired-over-penn-st-child-abuse-scandal/ Paterno fired over Penn St. child abuse scandal CBS News November 9, 2011 November 10, 2011 October 15, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131015045331/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57321984/paterno-fired-over-penn-st-child-abuse-scandal/ live Notes July 28–29, 2011 – Media Days in Chicago. References R1 - R2 - R4 - R6 - R7 - Sources source