DEFENSE:

Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue

SR, DE, Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central

Kerrigan established career highs with 10 solo tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks while forcing two fumbles and recovering one against Michigan. The senior defensive end now has 14 career forced fumbles, which is tied for the NCAA record and marks a new Big Ten record, shattering the previous mark of 13 set by Illinois’ Simeon Rice (1992-95) and Iowa’s Bob Sanders (2000-03). Kerrigan pushed the Wolverine offense back 17 yards on his five tackles for loss, including 15 yards on his four sacks. Michigan entered the game ranking among the top 12 nationally with 38.9 points and 535.9 yards of total offense per game but was limited to 27 points and 395 yards of total offense by the Boilermaker defense. Purdue also forced five turnovers and was within four points, at 20-16, before the Wolverines scored a touchdown with less than two minutes remaining. Kerrigan set Big Ten season-bests with his five tackles for loss and four sacks. He collects his second weekly laurel after being honored on Oct. 18, 2009.

LAST PUR DEFENSIVE POW: DE Ryan Kerrigan on Oct. 18, 2009.