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University of Minnesota Athletics
Brooks Honored By Big Ten
11/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2015 
Minnesota freshman running back Shannon Brooks was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after his performance at Iowa on Saturday.
Brooks rushed 14 times for 86 yards and one touchdown against the Hawkeyes No. 9-ranked rushing defense, which was allowing only 101.4 rushing yards-per-game and had allowed only three rushing touchdowns prior to facing Minnesota.
Brooks also completed his lone pass attempt, which resulted in a 42-yard touchdown to Drew Wolitarsky. Brooks was the first non-quarterback to throw a touchdown for the Gophers since running back Duane Bennett hit tight end Eric Lair for an 8-yard score at Northwestern in 2010.
This is the second time Brooks has been honored this year, as he was also tabbed Freshman of the Week by the conference on Oct. 12, after rushing for 176 yards at Purdue in a 41-13 win.
On the year, Brooks has carried the ball 82 times for 462 yards and has scored four touchdowns. Brooks is averaging 5.6 yards-per-carry this year, which is the highest for a Gopher running back since Laurence Maroney averaged 6.2 yards in 2004. Maroney carried the ball 217 times for 1,347 yards that year.
Six of Brooks' 82 carries have resulted in a gain of 20 yards or more this year. Twelve of his rushes have been for 10 yards or more and 26 have been for five yards or more. Brooks has only five negative carries this season. His four touchdowns have covered 71, 40 and three yards (twice).
Brooks and the Gophers continue Big Ten play this weekend when they host Illinois at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, at TCF Bank Stadium.
Brooks rushed 14 times for 86 yards and one touchdown against the Hawkeyes No. 9-ranked rushing defense, which was allowing only 101.4 rushing yards-per-game and had allowed only three rushing touchdowns prior to facing Minnesota.
Brooks also completed his lone pass attempt, which resulted in a 42-yard touchdown to Drew Wolitarsky. Brooks was the first non-quarterback to throw a touchdown for the Gophers since running back Duane Bennett hit tight end Eric Lair for an 8-yard score at Northwestern in 2010.
This is the second time Brooks has been honored this year, as he was also tabbed Freshman of the Week by the conference on Oct. 12, after rushing for 176 yards at Purdue in a 41-13 win.
On the year, Brooks has carried the ball 82 times for 462 yards and has scored four touchdowns. Brooks is averaging 5.6 yards-per-carry this year, which is the highest for a Gopher running back since Laurence Maroney averaged 6.2 yards in 2004. Maroney carried the ball 217 times for 1,347 yards that year.
Six of Brooks' 82 carries have resulted in a gain of 20 yards or more this year. Twelve of his rushes have been for 10 yards or more and 26 have been for five yards or more. Brooks has only five negative carries this season. His four touchdowns have covered 71, 40 and three yards (twice).
Brooks and the Gophers continue Big Ten play this weekend when they host Illinois at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, at TCF Bank Stadium.
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