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Iowa State University Athletics
ISU's Smith, Brandtner Big 12 Players of the Week
10.26.2009 | Football
IRVING, Texas - Iowa State linebacker Jesse Smith and punter Mike Brandtner (Iowa State) have been named Big 12 Conference Football Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively Monday, as selected by a media panel. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was named the conference's offensive player of the week.
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Jesse Smith, Iowa State, LB, Sr, Altoona, Iowa
Jesse Smith made a team-high 12 tackles, including two TFLs, in addition to forcing a fumble and recording an interception with 1:53 left to seal Iowa State's 9-7 win at Nebraska. It was ISU's first win in Lincoln since 1977 and first Big 12 road victory since 2005 at Texas A&M. Smith was part of a Cyclone defense that forced eight Nebraska turnovers. Iowa State has given up 17 points in the last two league games, which is the best since 1978 (seven points combined by KU and KSU). The Cyclones allowed just seven points to the Huskers, its best defensive scoring effort since 1959 against NU.
Smith was named the Walter Camp Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week Sunday.
Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Mike Brandtner, Iowa State, P, Sr, Bettendorf, Iowa
Mike Brandtner set up the key offensive play of Iowa State's 9-7 win over Nebraska when he rushed for 20 yards on a fake punt. The next play was ISU's 47-yard touchdown pass from Jerome Tiller to Jake Williams that gave ISU the lead it would never relinquish. Brandtner was the Cyclones' leading rusher at halftime. He kept the Husker offense at bay with punts of 40, 60, 50 and 58 yards in the first half, which forced long Nebraska drives. The senior placed five kicks inside the Nebraska 20 during the game.
Visit big12sports.com for complete information regarding this announcement.
Players Mentioned
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