Big Ten Honors Two Spartans With Weekly Awards

Sept. 14, 2015

Riley Bullough (left) had a career-high 14 tackles against Oregon.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Following last Saturday's 31-28 victory over No. 7 Oregon, two Spartans were honored by the Big Ten Conference office on Monday, as junior linebacker Riley Bullough was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and running back LJ Scott earned Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week accolades.

Bullough recorded a career-high 14 tackles and a pass break-up against the Ducks. He also was credited with a quarterback hurry on Oregon's fourth-and-16 play from the MSU 43-yard line with just over a minute left in the game, forcing Vernon Adams to come up short on his pass attempt intended for Bralon Addison. The Spartans limited Oregon to 123 rushing yards (43 attempts) -- the lowest single-game total by the Ducks since they were held to 64 vs. Stanford on Nov. 7, 2013. Bullough's 14 stops (five solos, nine assists) were the most by a Spartan since William Gholston compiled 15 tackles against Nebraska on Oct. 29, 2011.

It marks the first time a Spartan has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week since Denicos Allen on Nov. 4, 2013.

"Riley has given us a great combination of emotion, leadership and productivity," said MSU co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel. "He's doing an excellent job making all of the calls on defense while leading the team in tackles and sacks.

"It felt like Riley was involved in every tackle (on Saturday vs. Oregon), and in a physical fashion. If it was a running play, he was there. If it was a bubble screen he was there. He even had a pass break-up in the end zone."

Scott becomes the first Spartan to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Week since Aaron Burbridge in 2012. He rushed 11 times for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over No. 7 Oregon. Scott gained 66 yards on eight second-half carries, including TD runs of 6 and 38 yards. His first career TD came on a 6-yard run around left end to finish off an 11-play, 75-yard drive, while his season-long 38-yard TD scamper off right tackle with 10:51 left in the fourth quarter gave the Spartans a 31-21 lead.

"LJ Scott had a big night for us with the ball in his hands," said co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach Dave Warner. "He's a very physical runner, who in his short time here at MSU has shown the ability to run through tackles. Against Oregon, almost half of his 76 yards came after contact.

"We expect LJ to continue to get even better as the season progresses."

Michigan State, which moved up to No. 4 in this week's Associated Press and Amway Coaches Polls, plays host to Air Force (2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 19 at noon in Spartan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.