Cody Simon, Will Howard Named Big Ten Players of the Week

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes had two players awarded Player of the Week by the Big Ten Conference for Week 13. Linebacker Cody Simon was named B1G Defensive Player of the week after his performance against the No. 5 Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1). Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) quarterback Will Howard was then named the B1G Co-Offensive Player of the Week, along with Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant.

Simon's Performance

The senior captain of the defense has played well each time out this year. Simon is second on the team in total tackles, despite missing a game earlier this season. He has began to hit his stride late this year, with everything coming together against the Hoosiers.

Simon finished with 10 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in the 38-15 win over Indiana. Simon wreaked havoc on Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke throughout the entire afternoon. One-and-a-half of his sacks came on drive-killing third downs, including a strip-sack where the Buckeyes recovered the fumble Simon forced.

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has heavily ramped up the defensive scheme for the Buckeyes since their loss to No. 1 Oregon (11-0, 8-0). Simon has been vital to its development. The defense is now consistently bringing pressure with complex and disguised blitzes. They make offensive lines guess which of the various defenders will actually be rushing. Simon making sure that everyone is on the same page is the first step to making that happen. His ability to create pressure himself or lanes for others on stunts is the next one. The new and improved defense works primarily through him, and it is working better than ever.

Howard's Performance

Howard was also incredible against the Hoosiers. He started hot, completing each of his first 14 passing attempts. He would finish 22-of-26 with 201 yards and 2 passing touchdowns. He did throw a single interception, as his on-target pass bounced off of tight end Jelani Thurman's hands when Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds broke on the ball to interrupt the attempt. Howard and Thurman bounced back soon after when they connected for a 1-yard TD on third-and-goal. However, perhaps the most impressive throw from Howard came on an 11-yard TD pass to WR Emeka Egbuka. Howard layered the ball right over the defense to place it perfectly in the end zone.

Howard was in full control of his offense for the full 60 minutes. He extended plays and made accurate throws on nearly every attempt. He even added a rushing TD late in the game to put the ultimate exclamation point on the performance. He also broke the school record for most games in a single season and a career with at least 80 percent of one's passes being completed to six games. The previous record was a tie between him and CJ Stroud. Howard now currently leads the FBS in completion percentage at 74.0 percent. His pinpoint accuracy has been impressive and a reliable skill the offense has leaned on this season.

Next Up

The two players were rewarded for their stellar on-field performances last week. Despite their impressive statistical output, their leadership has been even more important. The Buckeyes now turn their attention to Michigan (6-5, 4-4). Simon has never beaten the Wolverines and leads a defense full of veterans that came back this season to accomplish that goal.

Howard has never faced the Wolverines. Despite that, he has shown everyone that he takes this game as seriously as anyone in the Ohio State program. Him and Simon will now lead the charge for the Buckeyes as they look to finish the regular season strongly.