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Aaron Burbridge named Big Ten offensive player of the week

September 22, 2015
<p>Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, 16, and senior wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr., 85, celebrate Burbridge's touchdown in the first half during the game against Air Force on Sept. 19, 2015 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Falcons, 35-21. </p>

Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, 16, and senior wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr., 85, celebrate Burbridge's touchdown in the first half during the game against Air Force on Sept. 19, 2015 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Falcons, 35-21.

Photo by Kennedy Thatch | The State News

Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after career highs in receptions (8), yards (156) and touchdowns (3) against Air Force.

Burbridge’s performance on Saturday tied the MSU record for receiving touchdowns in a game.

Burbridge, just three games into the season, has already broke his career high for total receiving yards and has amassed over 100 yards in each of the Spartans’ 2015 games.

“You got to go out there with the confidence to know what you are doing,” Burbridge said after the game on Saturday. “I’m embracing everything, this is my last season.”

Burbridge said he is comfortable and when he sees single coverage he is thinking touchdown every time, but that is how it has always been for him.

“It’s never easy, I always got to work hard, but comfortable, yes,” Burbridge said.

When Burbridge was asked after the game which Spartan NFL receiver he most plays like, he said “none of them, myself.”

Bennie, Keith, Tony, they all helped me a lot, they all helped me grow. I picked their minds while I was here,” Burbridge said. “I had early success, but you know, I wasn’t ready for it.”

Burbridge has received Big Ten honors before, as he was named freshman of the week in 2012 for an eight reception, 134-yard game against Indiana, and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in the same year, according to Spartan Athletics.

“Aaron is playing with the confidence and aggressive mentality that makes it fun for a coach," MSU wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel said in a Spartan Athletics’ release. "An added bonus is the way he’s preparing for each opponent. He knows the secondary and how the defensive backs will play him." 

Burbridge's nomination is the first time a Spartan has been named the Big Ten Offensive player of the week since Jeremy Langford during the 2013 season.

The next MSU game will be at noon on Saturday against Central Michigan at Spartan Stadium, broadcasted by the Big Ten Network. 

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