Nov. 1, 2010
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IOWA CITY, IOWA – University of Iowa junior defensive back Shaun Prater has been named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 37-6 win over fifth-ranked Michigan State in Kinnick Stadium last Saturday. The announcement was made by the Big Ten office today.
Prater is a 5-11, 180-pound junior from Omaha, NE. He collected a game- and career-high 10 tackles and recorded his third interception of the season to help hold Michigan State to only six points and hand the Spartans their first loss of the season. Seven of Prater’s 10 defensive stops were solo tackles and he added 0.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. It marks the first time he has earned the weekly Big Ten honor.
With Iowa holding a 17-0 lead, MSU drove to the Hawkeyes’ 27-yard line before the junior cornerback picked off a pass and returned it 42 yards into Spartan territory. Three plays later, Iowa scored a touchdown to build its lead to 23-0. The Hawkeyes collected three interceptions in the game and held the Spartans to only 31 rushing yards, more than 160 yards below their season average entering the contest.
Prater is the fifth Iowa player to earn the weekly league honor this year. Earlier this season running back Paki O’Meara won the special team award for his play against Eastern Illinois, defensive tackle Mike Daniels won the defensive honor against Ball State, defensive end Adrian Clayborn was named defensive Player of the Week for his play against Penn State and quarterback Ricky Stanzi for his play against Michigan.
Iowa had eight players named Big Ten Players of the Week last year (four on defense, one offense and three special teams).