Purdue’s Short, Gaston Named Big Ten Players of the Week 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue’s Kawann Short and Bruce Gaston have been recognized by the Big Ten Conference for their efforts in the Boilermakers’ 26-23 overtime victory over Ohio State. Short was named as the Co-Defensive Player of the Week and Gaston the Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. It is the second POW honor of the season and the third of his career for Short and the first ever for Gaston.
 
Short, who was also named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, helped a Purdue defense hold back the Buckeyes in the overtime victory. Short finished the game with a career-high three sacks for nine yards lost and six total stops on the day, including four solo tackles. Short's effort led the way for a Boilermaker defense that posted season highs in both sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (10.0).
 
Gaston came up with a blocked PAT to keep the 20-20 game tied and pave the way for the Boilermakers to defeat Ohio State in overtime. After the Buckeyes rallied to tie the game with 55 seconds left, Gaston penetrated through the Ohio State line and stuffed Drew Basil's would-be go-ahead extra point to keep the game at a stalemate. Defensively, Gaston finished the game with a sack for a loss of five yards and the blocked PAT.
 
Short, Gaston and their Boilermaker teammates will return to action on Saturday when they host Iowa at Ross-Ade Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon and the game can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.