Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois cornerback Xavier Scott has been named the Chuck Bednarik Award National Player of the Week by the Maxwell Football Club and also received the Walter Camp FBS National Defensive Player of the Week award presented by The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley. Both honors were announced on Tuesday. Scott's performance was instrumental in Illinois' 23-17 victory over #19 Kansas, marking their highest-ranked nonconference win since 1995.
In the game against Kansas, Scott recorded two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, forced a fumble, achieved one sack, and made eight solo tackles. He also earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week recognition and is currently the only player in the nation to have forced three turnovers in a single game this season.
Scott began his standout performance with an interception during Kansas' first series. He later executed a pivotal pick-6 with 36 seconds remaining in the first half, giving Illinois a 13-10 lead at halftime. His strip-sack forced fumble on Kansas' final play secured Illinois' victory.
Scott and his team will return to action for Homecoming this weekend against Central Michigan. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. CT at Memorial Stadium.
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