WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Fresh off a strong individual performance in his Boilermaker debut, defensive back Dillon Thieneman was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday (Sept. 5).
The season-opening accolade marked the third time a Boilermaker earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors dating back to the 2022 campaign. Devin Mockobee collected the distinction twice, helping lead the Boilermakers to a pair of conference wins on the way to the Big Ten West title. Thieneman became the first defensive freshman to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Week since cornerback Frankie Williams in 2012 following a victory over Indiana.
Thieneman made an immediate impact in his first game as a Boilermaker. The defensive back led the team with 10 tackles, all solo, becoming the third Purdue freshman over the past decade to record at lead double-digit tackles in a game (Ja'Whaun Bentley twice in 2014, Navon Mosley in 2016). He became one of only nine players to record at least 10 solo tackles in the opening week of the season.
The Westfield, Indiana, native also hauled in a big, fourth quarter interception that flipped the field and led to a Purdue touchdown. It marked just the third time since 1996 that a Purdue true freshman made an interception in their debut (1999 - James Dunnigan vs. UCF, 2016 - Josh Hayes vs. Eastern Kentucky).
Thieneman and the Boilermakers hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Blacksburg, Virginia to battle the Virginia Tech Hokies. Kickoff from Lane Stadium is set for 12 p.m. ET Saturday (Sept. 9) on ESPN2.
The season-opening accolade marked the third time a Boilermaker earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors dating back to the 2022 campaign. Devin Mockobee collected the distinction twice, helping lead the Boilermakers to a pair of conference wins on the way to the Big Ten West title. Thieneman became the first defensive freshman to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Week since cornerback Frankie Williams in 2012 following a victory over Indiana.
Thieneman made an immediate impact in his first game as a Boilermaker. The defensive back led the team with 10 tackles, all solo, becoming the third Purdue freshman over the past decade to record at lead double-digit tackles in a game (Ja'Whaun Bentley twice in 2014, Navon Mosley in 2016). He became one of only nine players to record at least 10 solo tackles in the opening week of the season.
The Westfield, Indiana, native also hauled in a big, fourth quarter interception that flipped the field and led to a Purdue touchdown. It marked just the third time since 1996 that a Purdue true freshman made an interception in their debut (1999 - James Dunnigan vs. UCF, 2016 - Josh Hayes vs. Eastern Kentucky).
Thieneman and the Boilermakers hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Blacksburg, Virginia to battle the Virginia Tech Hokies. Kickoff from Lane Stadium is set for 12 p.m. ET Saturday (Sept. 9) on ESPN2.