CHAMPAIGN — Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after making a career high 15 tackles and tying the Illini record for tackles for loss with six in a 31-24 victory against Kent State.
Hansen, who missed the 2017 season after suffering a torn ACL in training camp, nearly tripled his career tackles total. He entered Saturday's game with just eight tackles from the 2016 season. The Illini redshirt sophomore shared the Big Ten defensive honors — Illinois' first since Tre Watson in 2016 — with Maryland defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr.