Linebacker earns Big Ten award

A Hoosier football player received an award from the Big Ten Tuesday and his name wasn't Antwaan Randle El.\nJunior linebacker Justin Smith was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance during IU's 45-33 victory Saturday against Iowa. Smith recorded four sacks and 13 tackles against the Hawkeyes.\n"I don't want to get a big head about it because you got to focus on who we play this week," Smith said of receiving the honor. "It still feels pretty good."\nCoach Cam Cameron informed Smith of the honor Tuesday morning.\n"The stats showed the way he played," Cameron said after Saturday's game. "He just gets better and better."\nThe 6-foot, 218-pound Smith put relentless pressure on Iowa freshman quarterback Jon Beutjer by blitzing up the middle often in the Hoosiers' victory. When Smith wasn't knocking Beutjer around, he pressured Iowa's quarterback into throwing wild passes.\n"Throughout the game I wasn't thinking about how many sacks I had," Smith said. "When you're in the backfield you should make the sack. I wasn't content with four. I should've had more."\nSmith got off to a fast start, sacking Beutjer for an eight-yard loss on Iowa's second possession. On the play, Smith barreled through Iowa fullback Jeremy Allen's block on his way to Beutjer. \nSmith led an important IU goal line stand at the end of the first half. He sacked Beutjer for a nine yard loss on first-and-goal. Smith charged through Iowa's offensive line on second down, causing Beutjer to throw a wild pass. Two plays later, the Hawkeyes were forced to kick a field goal despite starting the series on IU's five-yard line.\n"I expect that from Justin," junior cornerback Sharrod Wallace said. "He's a good player. He makes plays like that in practice. So plays like that really don't surprise me."\nSmith failed to record a sack in 1999. The four sacks are the most recorded by an IU player since Adewale Ogunleye had the same number against Ohio State, Oct. 18, 1997. Smith, who started his career at IU as a defensive back, leads the Big Ten this season with five sacks. \n"I never thought of it as a big deal because I'm a defensive back, so I would think if I had four picks it would be a lot better," Smith said of the four sacks.\nSmith, a native of Indianapolis and a graduate of Warren Central High School, was one of 70 linebackers named to the Butkus Award Watch List. The Butkus Award is given to college football's top linebacker at the end of the season.\nSmith also leads the conference in "tackles for a loss" with nine and is second on the team in total tackles with 31.