Penn State running back Evan Royster earned a share of the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award with his performance in Saturday's 45-14 win over Oregon State.
Royster gained a career-high 141 yards on 17 carries and scored three touchdowns - giving him six in two games - as the Nittany Lions improved to 2-0. Royster shares the conference honor, the first of his career, with Michigan State running back Javon Ringer and Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber.
Royster is the first Penn State player in the Joe Paterno era to rush for six touchdowns in the first two games of a season. Larry Johnson had eight TDs in a two-game span at the end of the 2002 regular season.
Through two games, Royster has rushed for 205 yards on 25 carries, an average of 8.2 yards per attempt.
Royster gave the credit for his success to his offensive line.
''It isn't me; it is the line,'' he said. ''When you get in the open, you only have to worry about one other person.''
Royster is the first PSU player to win a Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award since Tony Hunt in November of 2006.
- Cory Giger
