Michigan State University Athletics
Ringer Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
9/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 22, 2008
CHICAGO - Make it three in a row.
Senior running back Javon Ringer was once again named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week the league announced on Monday after his performance helped Michigan State to a 23-7 victory over Notre Dame. Ringer rushed 39 times for 201 yards and two touchdowns against the Irish in becoming the first Spartan back ever to record back-to-back 200-yard rushing games.
Ringer is the first offensive player in Big Ten history to earn at least a share of three straight conference weekly accolades. The only other individual to accomplish that feat was Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny, who was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for three straight weeks in 2005 (Sept. 26, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10).
Ringer's 201 rushing yards were the most ever by a Spartan against Notre Dame (previous high: 157 by Dennis Mendyk in 1956). He scored on a pair of 1-yard runs against Notre Dame. On MSU's final scoring drive, Ringer carried the ball seven straight times for 77 yards, including a 63-yard gain to set up his second TD run. In four career games against Notre Dame, he rushed 83 times for 445 yards and two scores.
The senior captain leads the nation in scoring with 11 rushing touchdowns while ranking second in rushing (174.8 yards per game) and third in all-purpose yardage (198.0 ypg.).
Michigan State (3-1) returns to action Saturday, Sept. 27 to face Indiana (2-1) in Bloomington, Ind. Kickoff is slated for 12:02 p.m.; the game will be televised on ESPN.
