Demry Croft named Big Ten player of the week after record-breaking game

Demry Croft #11 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a gain while Antonio Reed attempts the tackle in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Gophers quarterback Demry Croft has been named Big Ten co-offensive player of the week after breaking the Minnesota record for rushing yards by a quarterback in Saturday’s 54-21 rout of Nebraska.

Croft set a single-game school record for quarterbacks by rushing for 183 yards and three touchdowns, breaking the mark previously held by MarQueis Gray. Croft also completed 9 of 15 passes for 105 yards.

Gophers running back Rodney Smith earned Big Ten special teams player of the week honors. Minnesota’s leading rusher returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Smith is the first Minnesota player to return the opening kick for a touchdown since Tyrone Carter against Arkansas State in 1998.

Smith added 134 rushing yards and 10 receiving yards to record a career-high 279 all-purpose yards, tying for seventh-most in school history.

Croft shares his offensive player of the week award with Ohio State running back Mike Weber, who set a personal best with 162 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just nine carries in the Buckeyes’ win over Michigan State. Weber had touchdown runs of 47 and 82 yards.

The Gophers set season highs with 408 yards rushing and 515 yards of total offense. Croft’s record-breaking day included a highlight reel 73-yard touchdown run straight through the middle of the Nebraska defense. Gophers running back Kobe McCrary added 93 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The Gophers are now 5-5 on the season and improved to 2-5 in Big Ten play.

Minnesota can become bowl eligible next week if the Gophers can win their sixth game at Northwestern. The Gophers will finish their regular season schedule at home against Wisconsin, ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press poll and competing for a Top 4 spot in the College Football Playoff. A five-win Gophers team could still earn a bowl game based on the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate. Minnesota is tied for fourth on that list.