IOWA CITY, Iowa - - University of Iowa junior defensive back Josh Jackson has been named Big Ten Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 38-14 loss at No. 6 Wisconsin Saturday. The announcement was made Monday by the Big Ten office.
The honor marks the second straight week Jackson has been recognized by the Big Ten. Jackson recorded two pass interception touchdowns at Wisconsin, covering 43 and 52 yards. He also had a forced fumble that was recovered by teammate Manny Rugamba, three tackles, and one pass break-up.
Jackson (6-foot-1, 192-pounds), a native of Corinth, Texas (Lake Dallas), tied a school record with the two interception returns for scores (B.J. Lowery, 2013), and he is the first Hawkeye to establish the mark in Big Ten play. His first theft came on Wisconsin’s opening drive and gave the Hawkeyes a 7-0 advantage. The second interception and return cut Iowa’s deficit to 17-14 in the third quarter.
Jackson becomes the second Hawkeye player ever, and the first on offense or defense, to earn conference Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks. Tim Dwight was named special teams Player of the Week on consecutive weeks in 1997.
Jackson last week was the Walter Camp, Bednarik Award, and College Sports Madness national defensive Player of the Week after matching Iowa’s school record with three interceptions in a 55-24 win over No. 3 Ohio State.
Jackson leads the nation in interceptions (seven), interception return yards (163), and passes defended (23), and ranks third in passes broken up (16). He has five interceptions in the last two weeks. His seven interceptions rank fourth best for a single season at Iowa, just one from tying Iowa’s single-season record (Desmond King, 2015; Lou King, 1981; Nile Kinnick, 1939).
Jackson is the third Hawkeye to earn the Big Ten’s weekly honor this season. Senior linebacker Josey Jewell was recognized for his play against Wyoming and Penn State. Sophomore quarterback Nate Stanley earned the offensive honor for his play in Iowa’s overtime win at Iowa State.
The Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-4) host Purdue (4-6, 2-5) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., BTN) as Iowa celebrates Senior Day. Tickets for Saturday’s game are available online at hawkeyesports.com or over the phone at (800) IA-HAWKS.
