PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Sept. 1, 2014) – Senior free safety Johnathan Aiken (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) became the first player in Rutgers history to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the win over Washington State. Aiken is the first Scarlet Knight in any sport to earn weekly player of the week honors from the Big Ten.
The Big Ten named Aiken the defensive player of the week Monday after totaling seven tackles and being in the center of two critical plays in the fourth quarter against the Cougars.
Aiken first forced a Washington State fumble on a punt return with just seven minutes remaining as Rutgers trailed 38-34. Teammate Anthony Cioffi (Springfield, N.J.) recovered the fumble as it setup the game-winning touchdown for the Scarlet Knights.
On 4th-and-13 from the WSU 38 with 59 seconds remaining in the game, Aiken broke up a pass attended for River Cracraft to seal the come-from-behind 41-38 victory.
Aiken and the Scarlet Knights open their home portion of the 2014 schedule Saturday versus Howard. Kickoff is set for noon on BTN. The Rutgers IMG Sports Network (1450-WCTC AM, 98.7 ESPN Radio New York) begins pregame coverage at 11 a.m.
