Breaston Shares Big Ten Special Teams Weekly Award

PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- The Big Ten Conference announced today (Monday, Nov. 14) that University of Michigan senior wide receiver/return specialist Steve Breaston (North Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills HS) has been named the co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his play in the Wolverines' 41-14 victory against Indiana on Saturday (Nov. 12). Breaston shares the conference's weekly award with Purdue's Dave Brytus.

Breaston

Breaston collected 201 all-purpose yards with one rush for 30 yards, three receptions for 46 yards, three punt returns for 78 yards and one kickoff return for 47 yards against the Hoosiers. His 11-yard TD reception with 23 seconds left in the second quarter closed out Michigan's scoring in the game. All of Breaston's 201 yards came in the first half, and his total was more than IU produced as a team by halftime (148 yards).

In the win against the Hoosiers, Breaston eclipsed 1,000 all-purpose yards for the third straight season. With four total returns for 125 yards, Breaston broke the U-M career record for total returns held by Anthony Carter (144 returns, 2,510 yards) as his totals improved to 146 returns for 2,560 yards. Breaston returned three punts for 78 yards to add to his Michigan career record and moved into second place on the Big Ten's all-time list with 1,195 yards. He has 18 kickoff returns for 485 yards (26.9 yards per return) and 22 punt returns for 284 yards (12.9 yards per return) this season, to lead the Wolverines. Breaston is also tied for third on the team in receiving with 18 receptions for 230 yards and two touchdowns.

This is the second time Breaston has received the Big Ten Player of the Week award in 2005, winning his first after gaining 169 all-purpose yards vs. Penn State with 113 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter.

Breaston is the third Wolverine to receive recognition as the Big Ten Player of the Week, joining sophomore tailback Mike Hart (Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central HS), who received the offensive award following his 218-yard rushing effort in Michigan's 34-31 overtime win at Michigan State (Oct. 1), and junior cornerback Leon Hall (Vista, Calif./Vista HS), whose 83-yard touchdown return on a fumble propelled the Wolverines in a 33-17 victory at No. 21 Northwestern.

The Wolverines conclude the regular season with the 102nd playing of the "Big Game." Michigan and Ohio State will battle at Michigan Stadium on Saturday (Nov. 19) at 1 p.m. EST. The game will be televised by ABC Sports.

Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Steve Breaston

Leon Hall

Mike Hart

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