Big Ten Release

Fighting Illini sophomore linebacker Jake Hansen was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after he helped the Fighting Illini to a 31-24 win over Kent State on Saturday.

» Rolled up a career-high 15 tackles (10 solos), including 6.0 TFLs in the win over Kent State

» Hansen's 6.0 TFLs tied the Illinois single game program record (Jeff Weisse vs. Middle Tennessee 9/12/1998) and leads the nation after the first weekend of action.

» The 6.0 TFLs also is tied for the seventh-most in a game in Big Ten history and is the second-most TFLs by a Big Ten player in the last 13 years.

» Hansen had more TFLs in one game than the 2017 team leader had for the season ( James Crawford , 5.5).

» The 15 total tackles rank sixth in FBS and the 10 solos rank fifth after the first weekend games.

» Hansen had eight career tackles entering the game, all as a sophomore in 2016 before missing last season with an injury.

» He was named to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week on Sunday (Link)

» First Illini Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week since Tre Watson (Nov. 7, 2016)

Hansen and the Illini return to action this Saturday against Western Illinois (6:30 p.m. CT on BTN).

Illinois-Kent State Postgame Links

» Recap

» Highlights

» Box Score

» Photos

» Hansen Feature