Vandenberg earns weekly honors(updated)

From the University of Iowa

University of Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg has been named one of eight Manning Award “Stars of the Week” and has also been nominated for Intersport's Quarterback Performance of the Year award. Both recognitions were announced after Vandenberg's career day in Iowa's thrilling comeback win over Pittsburgh.

The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, named eight different quarterbacks as its “Stars of the Week.” Fans can now go to the Allstate Sugar Bowl Facebook page to vote for this week's winner. Voting closes Thursday at 9 a.m. (CT), and the winner will be announced as the Manning Award Player of the Week.

Intersport's Quarterback Performance of the Year award is part of a four-month competition that allows fans to determine which individual performances stand out during the 2011 college football season. The winners will be revealed during the All-Star Football Challenge special, which airs at 6 p.m. (CT) Feb. 3 on ESPN2. Fans can vote on the All-Star Football Challenge Facebook page, and the top weekly vote-getter will proceed to the finals, which runs Jan. 19-25.

Vandenberg led the Hawkeyes in a 31-27 win over Pittsburgh, rushing for one touchdown and throwing three touchdown passes in the final 17 minutes. His totals against the Panthers included 31-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 10 consecutive passes during one stretch of the second half and completed 17 of his last 20 passes in reaching career-bests in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns.

Vandenberg's 399 passing yards ties as the seventh best single-game total in school history, while the 31 completions rank fourth best and the 48 attempts tie as the seventh highest total.

Earlier today, Vandenberg was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career:

From Big Ten Conference

University of Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg has been named the Big Ten offensive football player of the week after leading the Hawkeyes to a come-from-behind win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Here is information on all the football honors:

Offensive Player of the Week

James Vandenberg, Iowa

Jr., QB, Keokuk, Iowa/Keokuk

• Led Iowa on three touchdown drives in the final 10 minutes to rally for a 31-27 win over Pittsburgh

• Threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns, with each score coming in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning strike with 2:51 to play

• Scored Iowa's fist touchdown late in the third quarter on a one-yard run, cutting the score to 24-10

• Earns his first Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor

• Last Iowa Offensive Player of the Week: Ricky Stanzi (Oct. 18, 2010)

Defensive Player of the Week

Jonathan Brown, Illinois

So., LB, Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers

• Totaled seven tackles and set career-highs in tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (1.5) in Illinois' win over nationally ranked Arizona State

• Forced Arizona State's first interception of the day in the first quarter after hitting Brock Osweiler as he threw, leading to a Glen Foster pick

• Recorded his first interception of the season, halting an 11-play Sun Devil drive

• Claims his first career Big Ten weekly honor

• Last Illinois Defensive Player of the Week: Corey Liuget (Dec. 6, 2010)

Special Teams Player of the Week

Duane Bennett, Minnesota

Sr., RB, Fairview Heights, Ill./O'Fallen Township

• Claims first weekly conference honor after blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown in Minnesota's win over Miami (Ohio)

• Extended lead to 29-16 to help solidify Minnesota win

• Recorded Minnesota's first blocked punt returned for a touchdown since 2009.

• Last Minnesota Special Teams Player of the Week: Troy Stoudermire (Nov. 15, 2010)

Freshman of the Week

D'Angelo Roberts, Indiana

RB, Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington North

• Rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown and also caught two passes for 12 yards and a score, combining for 114 yards – all of which came in the second half

• Became first Indiana true freshman since BenJarvus Green-Ellis to rush for 100 or more yards in a game

• Claims first Big Ten weekly honor

• Last Indiana Freshman of the Week: Mitch Ewald (Nov. 29, 2010)