Troy Smith sets player of week record

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith became the first Big Ten player Monday to be named offensive player of the week five times in a single season.

Smith, who led the Buckeyes to a 42-39 victory over Michigan on Saturday, is the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this year, the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported. He threw four touchdown passes during the game, bringing his total for the season to 30.

The win guaranteed Ohio State a place in the national championship game in January.

Smith ranks third in the history of the Big Ten in touchdown passes in one season. He is surpassed by two Purdue quarterbacks, Drew Brees who had 39 in 1998 and Kyle Orton who completed 31 in 2004.