Marion Barber is Co-Big Ten Player of the Week

Marion Barber III, a junior running back, was named Big Ten co-Offensive Player of the Week. Barber rushed 11 times for 138 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 45-0 win over Illinois. The Minnesota Gophers scored six touchdowns and amassed 587 yards of total offense, including 319 on the ground as they surpassed 300 rushing yards for the fourth time in eight games this season.

Marion Barber III averaged an astounding 12.5 yards per rushing attempt while accounting for three touchdowns in the win over Illinois. The junior running back broke loose for 138 yards on only 11 carries with two scores while adding a 21-yard scoring strike to Ernie Wheelwright, his second passing touchdown this season. Barber recorded his third 100-yard effort this season and is now tied with his father for second place in Gophers’ annals with 34 career rushing touchdowns. This marks his second weekly conference award this season.