Big Ten Insider: Armstrong grad makes instant impact

Wisconsin freshman David Gilreath earned Big Ten special teams player of the week honors.

By Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune

Last update: September 20, 2007 - 11:11 PM

Wisconsin returner David Gilreath flipped on the film and cringed over a missed opportunity at a big return in last week's 45-31 victory against The Citadel.

"Oh man, it was horrible," he said. "I should have broke it. I had an open lane. The guys did a great job blocking it."

He didn't get the touchdown, but Gilreath, a true freshman from Armstrong, earned Big Ten special teams player of the week honors for his performance. He collected 148 return yards -- 75 yards on three kickoffs and 73 on four punts.

Gilreath became the first Wisconsin true freshman to earn a Big Ten weekly award since running back Ron Dayne in 1996.

"I set my bar high coming in," said Gilreath, a backup wide receiver. "I'm glad the coaches trust me and have confidence that I can do the job. I'm in a great situation right now."

Gilreath is not very big (5-11, 160 pounds) but he is extremely fast. He originally committed to the Gophers but changed his mind a few days after Minnesota fired Glen Mason last winter.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said his staff pursued Gilreath aggressively after he attended their camp last summer.

"On his high school film you could see he had some speed and athleticism," Bielema said. "But it was nothing compared to when you saw him live. Once he came to our camp, we made him our No. 1 priority because we thought he could come in and change our game as fast as anybody."

Spy games

Sideline shenanigans have become a hot topic in light of the spying episode involving the New England Patriots. Several Big Ten coaches downplayed the potential role of spying or stealing of signs in the college game.

"I'm sure it could happen, but I never worried too much about it," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "Some of our offensive guys get nervous about it. I guess I never thought that would be an issue. You still have to execute. Plus, we only have like three plays so they probably know what we're running anyway."

On the run

Indiana sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis rushed for 199 yards against Akron last week -- the third-highest total for a Hoosiers quarterback.

Antwaan Randle El set the school rushing record for a quarterback with 210 against Minnesota in 2000. He also had 209 against Illinois that same season.

Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com

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