WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – For the fourth time this season, defensive back Dillon Thieneman earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades after helping the Boilermakers beat Minnesota.
The only defensive player in Big Ten history to win the award four times, Thieneman joined wide receivers Rondale Moore (2018) and David Bell (2019) as the only Boilermakers to be four-time B1G Freshman of the Week honorees. Both Moore and Bell went on to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in their respective debut seasons.
Thieneman collected the latest honor after leading Purdue in tackles for the sixth time in 2023. The Westfield, Indiana native tallied a team-high nine tackles in the victory over the Golden Gophers, and his five solo stops were also a Purdue best. With Thieneman at the back end of the defense, the Boilermakers limited Minnesota to 4-for-14 on third down (28.6 percent). Thieneman and the Purdue defense stepped up in the second half, allowing only 45 yards through the first 25 minutes before Minnesota added a late touchdown drive when the game was already in hand.
In his first season as a Boilermaker, Thieneman has already become a leader on the Purdue defense and one of the best defensive players in the country. As the nation's leading freshman in tackles (88), solo tackles (60) and interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (2), Thieneman was named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. He is the only Big Ten player up for the honor.
A consensus Midseason Freshman All-American, Thieneman ranks fourth nationally in solo tackles, averaging 6.0 per game. His 8.8 total tackles per game not only lead Purdue but rank third in the Big Ten and are more than any other freshman in the country. Thieneman has also made three interceptions this season, ranking 31st nationally and one of only four freshmen to record three INTs.
Thieneman and the Boilermakers hit the road for the final time in 2023, making the trip north to battle Northwestern (Nov. 18). Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET (11 a.m. CT) on BTN.
The only defensive player in Big Ten history to win the award four times, Thieneman joined wide receivers Rondale Moore (2018) and David Bell (2019) as the only Boilermakers to be four-time B1G Freshman of the Week honorees. Both Moore and Bell went on to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in their respective debut seasons.
Thieneman collected the latest honor after leading Purdue in tackles for the sixth time in 2023. The Westfield, Indiana native tallied a team-high nine tackles in the victory over the Golden Gophers, and his five solo stops were also a Purdue best. With Thieneman at the back end of the defense, the Boilermakers limited Minnesota to 4-for-14 on third down (28.6 percent). Thieneman and the Purdue defense stepped up in the second half, allowing only 45 yards through the first 25 minutes before Minnesota added a late touchdown drive when the game was already in hand.
In his first season as a Boilermaker, Thieneman has already become a leader on the Purdue defense and one of the best defensive players in the country. As the nation's leading freshman in tackles (88), solo tackles (60) and interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (2), Thieneman was named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. He is the only Big Ten player up for the honor.
A consensus Midseason Freshman All-American, Thieneman ranks fourth nationally in solo tackles, averaging 6.0 per game. His 8.8 total tackles per game not only lead Purdue but rank third in the Big Ten and are more than any other freshman in the country. Thieneman has also made three interceptions this season, ranking 31st nationally and one of only four freshmen to record three INTs.
Thieneman and the Boilermakers hit the road for the final time in 2023, making the trip north to battle Northwestern (Nov. 18). Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET (11 a.m. CT) on BTN.