Lewis, Peppers, Chesson Claim Big Ten Weekly Accolades
10/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 12, 2015
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Junior cornerback Jourdan Lewis, sophomore defensive back Jabrill Peppers and senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson of the 12th-ranked University of Michigan football team each earned Big Ten Player of the Week recognition on Monday (Oct. 12) for their performances in Michigan's 38-0 victory over 14th-ranked Northwestern on Saturday (Oct. 10).
Lewis was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, while Chesson was named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week and Peppers was recognized as co-Freshman of the Week. The trifecta of Wolverines collected the first Big Ten honors for the team this season.
Lewis had a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter of Michigan's shutout win last weekend -- the first interception returned for a touchdown by a U-M player since Willie Henry accomplished the feat vs. Utah in 2014. It was Lewis' fourth career interception. He also leads U-M with eight pass breakups this season. His average of 1.7 per contest ranks second in the conference and ninth overall in the country.
Chesson registered a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the contest last weekend, the first kick return for a touchdown by a Wolverine since Darryl Stonum went 94 yards against Notre Dame in 2009. It was just the 11th kick return score in program history, the fourth-longest kick return touchdown and the second ever to come on the opening kickoff.
The last time a U-M player took the opening kick back was running backs coach and Rose Bowl Hall of Fame inductee Tyrone Wheatley in 1992. Michigan leads the nation with 39.0 yards per kickoff return.
Chesson's return marked the fourth touchdown of his career and his first on special teams. He also owns two rushing touchdowns and one through the air in his career. His previous long kick return was 19 yards, which came against Akron in 2013.
Peppers' co-honor comes after a five-tackle week, three of which were solo, to bring him to a season total of 21 stops. He has 4.5 tackles-for-loss this season, 1.5 of which came in Saturday's victory. Peppers added three pass breakups against the Wildcats, bringing his season total to five. He shares this week's award with Minnesota running back Shannon Brooks.
The last Wolverine to win the conference's Freshman of the Week honor was current senior linebacker James Ross III during his rookie year in 2012.
The last time U-M claimed multiple conference honors in one week came last season when Matt Wile (kicker) and Jake Ryan (linebacker) won special teams and defensive player of the week honors, respectively.
The Wolverines will host the seventh-ranked Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 17). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT.
Communications Contact: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard
