IOWA’S HANKINS IS BRONKO NAGURSKI NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) – Cornerback Matt Hankins made a fourth-down stop late in the game and then one of Iowa’s four interceptions as the No. 3 Hawkeyes posted a 23-20 win over No. 4 Penn State. That effort, plus five total tackles that keyed the Hawkeyes’ defense in the come-from-behind win, earned Hankins the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Oct. 9, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

This is the sixth time for an Iowa player to earn this weekly honor and the 13th time teammates have been honored in the same season. Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell earned the award two weeks ago after the Hawkeyes’ 24-14 win over Colorado State. They are the school’s first weekly honorees since 2017 and have been added to this season’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.

Hankins, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior corner from Lewisville, Texas, stopped consecutive Penn State drives in the fourth quarter to help seal Iowa’s win. Iowa had already rallied from a 17-3 deficit to take its 23-20 lead when Penn State took the ball with 6:26 left. After the Nittany Lions drove to the Iowa 47-yard line, Hankins was credited with a solo tackle on a fourth-and-three play with 3:39 left. Then on its next drive deep on its own end, Hankins’ interception, his third of the season, came at the PSU 25 on fourth-and-10.

He had five total tackles, including three solo stops. Hankins, who had two interceptions in Iowa’s earlier win at then-No. 9 Iowa State, has started 22 consecutive games with 33 career starts. Iowa has an FBS-leading 16 interceptions through its six games, and Hankins’ three picks are tied for sixth among individuals. He is tied for eighth at Iowa with 20 total tackles and has one pass break-up.

Iowa hosts Purdue for its sold-out Homecoming game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.

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