Aaron Burbridge Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
Burbridge recorded career highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (156) and touchdown catches (3) in the win over Air Force.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday.
The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native set career highs for receptions (8), receiving yards (156) and touchdown catches (3) in Michigan State's 35-21 victory over Air Force on Sept. 19 in Spartan Stadium. He scored on TD grabs of 28, 32 and 21 yards from Connor Cook. Burbridge’s first TD grab was an acrobatic reception in the corner of the end zone that was named one of the top plays of the week by several national media outlets.
Burbridge’s three TD receptions tied MSU's single-game record (last player: B.J. Cunningham vs. Wisconsin, 2011 Big Ten Championship Game), and it also marked Burbridge's third-straight 100-yard receiving game. He topped the 100-yard receiving mark in the first half alone, with five catches for 112 yards and two TDs. His eight receptions matched his career best (8 for 134 yards vs. Indiana, 2012). Seven of his eight catches resulted in either a first down or touchdown against the Falcons, including four receptions of 20 yards or more.
Burbridge’s performance marked just the fourth time in school history a Spartan wide receiver caught three TDs and had more than 150 yards receiving in the same game (Plaxico Burress: 13 catches for 185 yards and three TDs vs. Florida on Jan. 1, 2000; Burress: 5 catches for 164 yards and three TDs vs. Northwestern on Nov. 13, 1999; Andre Rison: 9 catches for 252 yards and three TDs vs. Georgia on Jan. 1, 1989).
“Air Force placed a lot of players in the box, so that left the corners and safeties out on an island,” said Michigan State wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel. “We felt that if that happened we could take advantage with our wide receivers, and Aaron Burbridge made of most of those one-on-one opportunities.
“Aaron is playing with the confidence and aggressive mentality that makes it fun for a coach. An added bonus is the way he’s preparing for each opponent. He knows the secondary and how the defensive backs will play him.”
This marks the first time a Spartan has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week since Jeremy Langford on Oct. 14, 2013.
No. 2/3 Michigan State returns to action Saturday, Sept. 26 to face Central Michigan at noon in Spartan Stadium.
