Wisconsin's Cooper Catalano named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

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As some may have expected after his incredible outing on Saturday against Washington, Wisconsin true freshman linebacker Cooper Catalano was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Catalano is the first Badger to earn this honor since Preston Zachman in Week 1 of this season against Miami (OH), where he grabbed two picks and made many key plays defensively.

Catalano has impressed in the past two games, starting alongside freshman linebacker Mason Posa. The two have formed a strong tandem together in the Badgers' defense. Catalano and Posa have stepped up during the absence of Christian Alliegro, who went down with a broken hand just a few weeks back against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Both Catalano and Posa have helped the Badgers achieve a fair amount of success defensively over the past two games. They held Oregon to their second-lowest point total of the season, plus defeated No. 24 Washington while holding it to its third-lowest scoring output of the season. If Wisconsin can ensure that Catalano can stay with the program long-term, the program could have a budding star on its hands.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Badgers Cooper Catalano named Big Ten Defensive Player the Week

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