Nov. 26, 2001

University of Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week following a four-touchdown, 387-yard performance in the Illini's 34-28, Big Ten title-clinching win over Northwestern, on Thanksgiving Day.

Kittner completed 33 of 43 passes for 77 percent and connected for a career-high four touchdowns in the Illini's win. The senior, captain also became the school's all-time winningest quarterback logging his 24th win as a starter. He now has a career-best 2,994 yards passing this season, six shy of becoming the sixth quarterback to pass for over 3,000 yards in a season.

Kittner led his team to a 10-1 regular season, just the fourth 10-win season in Illinois' storied history, and the program's first berth in the Bowl Championship Series. The team won its first outright Big Ten title in 18 years and are ranked eighth in the Associated Press, the highest ranking since 1990.

Other players honored this week were: Mike Doss (Ohio State) defense and Preston Gruening (Minnesota) special teams.