Oct. 31, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior superback Drake Dunsmore (Lenexa, Kan./Saint Thomas Aquinas) has been tabbed the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following his record-setting outburst at Indiana on Saturday. Dunsmore broke Northwestern's all-time mark for single-game touchdown receptions with four and finished with seven catches for 112 yards.

Dunsmore caught his four touchdowns in a span of five Northwestern possessions over the second and third quarters, with the lone exception coming courtesy of an NU kneel-down to end the first half. His scores came on plays of 22, 10, six and nine yards and included a spectacular one-handed grab made while fending off a defender in the end zone.

In the process, Dunsmore also broke Northwestern's record for career receiving yards by a tight end, topping the previous mark held by Jon Harvey since 1983. Dunsmore now has 127 catches for 1,373 yards as well as 14 touchdowns, which places him in a tie for fourth all-time at Northwestern.

Dunsmore's six touchdowns also tie him for second nationally among FBS tight ends in 2011.

The award is the first of Dunsmore's career and the first Offensive Player of the Week honor for a Wildcat since Dan Persa on Nov. 15, 2010.

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