CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois safety Sydney Brown was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced Sunday.Â
Brown had two interceptions, a 39-yard interception return touchdown, and a 53-yard fumble return touchdown in Illinois' 41-3 victory at Northwestern. Brown was the first player with 2+ interceptions, 1+ interception return touchdown, and 1+ fumble return touchdown in a single game since 2012 when Kenneth Acker (SMU) achieved the feat against Stephen F. Austin 9/8/2012.
"The good thing is today, (Brown) did some good things for us to win the game," said head coach Bret Bielema after the win. "But he probably put on film some things that are going to make him some money in the future."
Brown is the third Illini ever to earn Walter Camp National Player of Week honors since the award began in 2004, joining Fighting Illini running back Mikel LeShoure (Nov. 21, 2010) and linebacker Jake Hansen (Oct. 20, 2019).
