There is little wonder Antoine Winfield Jr. was named Big 10 player of the week. For the second straight year, the Safety made a game-saving interception in the end zone to derail Fresno State. Winfield rocketed out of nowhere to snag a pass that would have been a game-winner for the Bulldogs. Winfield’s grab preserved an exciting 38-35 overtime win for the Gophers. For Fresno, Winfield’s INT provided some horrific deja vu, as Fresno’s attempt to tie USC the previous Saturday was also extinguished by a killing interception.
Last year, in Minneapolis, Winfield’s end-of-game heroics preserved a 21-14 win over Fresno State. Two 7-point losses were the only blemishes on an outstanding 12-2 campaign for the Bulldogs.
Junior does have excellent genes! Daddy had a stellar career, both as a collegian and as a 3-time Pro Bowler during 14 years with the Bills and Vikings. As an All American and Jim Thorpe winner while attending Ohio State, Antoine Winfield saved some of his very best games against Michigan. David Boston may have gotten the most pub during Dad’s OSU days, but the best Buckeye against Michigan during in the 1996-98 era was Winfield.
P.J Fleck chortled, “They may never let Antoine back in the state of California.” In this case, the acorn surely did not fall far from the tree.