Three Iowa football players honored by Big Ten
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – In the span of just one week, the Iowa football team has gone from being accused of quitting by an opposing player to having three players honored by the Big Ten Conference.
Senior defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson, freshman cornerback Manny Rugamba and freshman kicker Keith Duncan all were honored by the conference for their contributions in Saturday’s 14-13 victory over No. 2 Michigan at Kinnick Stadium.
Johnson was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after finishing with nine tackles against Michigan, including one that led to Iowa’s first points of the game on a safety in the second quarter. The Lombard, Ill., native also registered two tackles for loss and one sack.
Rugamba was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after making his first career start against the Wolverines on Saturday. The Naperville, Ill., native recorded his second career interception in the fourth quarter and had four tackles and three pass break-ups.
Rugamba, who started for the injured Greg Mabin, shared the award with Northwestern running back John Moten, who recorded 139 yards all-purpose yards in a victory over Purdue.
Duncan, a freshman from Matthews, N.C., made the game-winning field goal against Michigan from 33 yards as time expired. He also kicked a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Iowa improved to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten with the victory over Michigan and will face Illinois on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.
Iowa’s victory over Michigan came one week after the Hawkeyes lost to Penn State 41-14 in University Park., Pa. Penn State racked up 599 yards, including 359 rushing yards.
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley then raised a few eyebrows by saying more or less that Iowa quit in the second half and didn’t want to be there.
The Iowa players denied the accusation and then responded by registering one of the biggest upsets in the history of the program.
“Our focus today was just believing it,” Iowa defensive back Desmond King said Saturday after the Michigan game. “Believing in our effort and believing in our program. And just going out there and playing our hearts out.”