EAST LANSING - To the surprise of absolutely no one, Michigan State tailback Javon Ringer was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 207 yards in leading Michigan State to a 23-7 win over previously unbeaten Notre Dame.
In the process, Ringer appears to have stamped himself as a true Heisman Trophy Candidate.
Ringer became the first player in school history to record back-to-back 200-yard rushing games when he racked up 201 yards on 39 carries with a pair of touchdowns in a win over Notre Dame.
With Michigan State holding a narrow 16-7 lead in the fourth quarter, the senior running back carried the ball seven straight times for 77 yards, including a 63-yard burst to set up his second score and secure the 23-7 victory.
Ringer becomes 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 10). Ringer now has four career weekly laurels, as he was also honored on Oct. 15, 2007.
Both the Detroit News' Eric Lacy and Detroit Free Press' Shannon Shelton have indicated in today's editions that Ringer is beginning to receive national attention as a Heisman candidate.
Shelton quoted MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi as stating "Put my vote in for Javon Ringer for the Heisman Trophy. I think that needs to start getting picked up a little bit, because that guy's a machine."
Lacy noted that Ringer ranks #2 in the nation in rushing average and #3 in all-purpose yardage. But it looks like Ringer needs to do more to impress ESPN which does not list him out of eleven candidates on its Heisman Watch page.
Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis was definitely convinced Ringer belongs in the conversation stating after his performance, "he just keeps coming and coming and coming."
Big Ten press release was used in this story
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