COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Nebraskas Devine Ozigbo had to convince two coaching staffs that he should be the featured running back. Not until this year did the senior firmly establish himself in the job.
Under new coach Scott Frost, Ozigbo has become the teams most-improved player. After leading the woeful Cornhuskers in rushing last year with 493 yards and three touchdowns, hes already piled up 710 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through eight games this season. Hes averaging 7.4 yards per carry and has reached the 100-yard plateau in four of the past five games.
The 6-foot, 235-pound power back from Texas hasnt had an easy time getting there. He started this season third on the depth chart.
Ozigbo is stronger and faster after going through a conditioning program in the offseason with new strength coach Zach Duvall, who came with Frost from Central Florida.
“Hes improved steadily and consistently since we got here,” Frost said. “The best thing I can say about him is that he persevered through a competition with several other guys, even not being the starter to begin the season. Sometimes not giving up is the key to anybodys success, and he kept fighting and kept swinging.”
Here are other Big Ten players who should be considered for the list of most improved:
DE CARTER COUGHLIN, MINNESOTA
Coughlin is a junior who leads the Big Ten with nine sacks and three forced fumbles. He credits his skills work with first-year pass-rushing specialist coach Marcus West for improvements in his technique.
Coughlin was already a key player last season, starting every game and leading the team with 6½ sacks and 11½ tackles for loss, but he has progressed to the role of game-changer for the Gophers up front.
In the Oct. 13 loss to Ohio State, he registered seven tackles, including three for loss, two sacks and forced one fumble.
“I think Carter is a great example of what we want our program to look like,” coach P.J. Fleck said.
QB DAVID BLOUGH, PURDUE
The senior has locked in as the starter for the Boilermakers after losing the job last season because of poor decisions and dislocating his ankle in November.
This year, hes already thrown for twice as many yards in one fewer game (2,350 to 1,103) more TDs (13 to 9) and fewer interceptions (8 to 5).
He threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns in Purdues 49-20 upset of Ohio State on Oct. 20.
DB/LB AMANI HOOKER, IOWA
Hooker was good a year ago, making 56 tackles, but hes been an indispensable member of Iowas young and talented back seven.
The junior safety already has 39 tackles with two interceptions, and hes played linebacker at times to help a defense that has struggled with injuries.
“He wasnt highly recruited, but we just really liked him,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “When he showed up, pretty much everything hes done has been good. Hes got a great attitude.”
WR BINJIMEN VICTOR, OHIO STATE
Victor, a junior, is coach Urban Meyers pick for most improved Buckeye.
Hes had to compete with a deep and experienced corps of receivers for playing time and looks from quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Hell get more now as a starter in place of Austin Mack, whose season was ended by a foot injury.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Mack has caught 14 passes for 236 yards and three TDs through eight games.
“He didnt have a great spring, and hes playing at a pretty high level,” Meyer said. “Hes still a little bit up-and-down, but when he goes, hes a really talented guy.”
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Nebraskas Devine Ozigbo had to convince two coaching staffs that he should be the featured running back. Not until this year did the senior firmly establish himself in the job.
Under new coach Scott Frost, Ozigbo has become the teams most-improved player. After leading the woeful Cornhuskers in rushing last year with 493 yards and three touchdowns, hes already piled up 710 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through eight games this season. Hes averaging 7.4 yards per carry and has reached the 100-yard plateau in four of the past five games.
The 6-foot, 235-pound power back from Texas hasnt had an easy time getting there. He started this season third on the depth chart.
Ozigbo is stronger and faster after going through a conditioning program in the offseason with new strength coach Zach Duvall, who came with Frost from Central Florida.
“Hes improved steadily and consistently since we got here,” Frost said. “The best thing I can say about him is that he persevered through a competition with several other guys, even not being the starter to begin the season. Sometimes not giving up is the key to anybodys success, and he kept fighting and kept swinging.”
Here are other Big Ten players who should be considered for the list of most improved:
DE CARTER COUGHLIN, MINNESOTA
Coughlin is a junior who leads the Big Ten with nine sacks and three forced fumbles. He credits his skills work with first-year pass-rushing specialist coach Marcus West for improvements in his technique.
Coughlin was already a key player last season, starting every game and leading the team with 6½ sacks and 11½ tackles for loss, but he has progressed to the role of game-changer for the Gophers up front.
In the Oct. 13 loss to Ohio State, he registered seven tackles, including three for loss, two sacks and forced one fumble.
“I think Carter is a great example of what we want our program to look like,” coach P.J. Fleck said.
QB DAVID BLOUGH, PURDUE
The senior has locked in as the starter for the Boilermakers after losing the job last season because of poor decisions and dislocating his ankle in November.
This year, hes already thrown for twice as many yards in one fewer game (2,350 to 1,103) more TDs (13 to 9) and fewer interceptions (8 to 5).
He threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns in Purdues 49-20 upset of Ohio State on Oct. 20.
DB/LB AMANI HOOKER, IOWA
Hooker was good a year ago, making 56 tackles, but hes been an indispensable member of Iowas young and talented back seven.
The junior safety already has 39 tackles with two interceptions, and hes played linebacker at times to help a defense that has struggled with injuries.
“He wasnt highly recruited, but we just really liked him,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “When he showed up, pretty much everything hes done has been good. Hes got a great attitude.”
WR BINJIMEN VICTOR, OHIO STATE
Victor, a junior, is coach Urban Meyers pick for most improved Buckeye.
Hes had to compete with a deep and experienced corps of receivers for playing time and looks from quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Hell get more now as a starter in place of Austin Mack, whose season was ended by a foot injury.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Mack has caught 14 passes for 236 yards and three TDs through eight games.
“He didnt have a great spring, and hes playing at a pretty high level,” Meyer said. “Hes still a little bit up-and-down, but when he goes, hes a really talented guy.”
