Iowa Hawkeyes’ Jack Campbell named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

Iowa Hawkeyes’ linebacker Jack Campbell has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against Minnesota.

Jack Campbell is the heart and soul of not just the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ defense, but arguably the entire team. He is the epitome of the Iowa program in never giving up, losing hope, and trusting your instincts when it matters the most.

His performance against Minnesota, that exuded all of the above, has earned him the recognition and title as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Down the stretch, Campbell was the conductor of the games’ two most defining plays. He was able to force Minnesota’s running back, Mohamed Ibrahim, who won the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, to fumble on Iowa’s 10-yard line and not give up any points.

Campbell was asked about the fumble and his typical fashion of being the team-first leader he is, he expanded on what it took.

“Just keep fighting every single snap. They’re a talented running back, talented offensive line, but we’re not going to give up ever. So, we just kept going and that opportunity presented itself and I just tried to get the hat on the ball. Coach Parker talks about it all the time. It happened, but you’ve got to do your job every single snap. There’s some snaps we left out there defensively, but, you know what, we brought Floyd home for another year. As a senior, it means a lot. I’ve had him my whole career, so just continuing to build that legacy, that tradition for these young guys to let them see and feel and be a part of a trophy game win. Like for me when I was young, those older guys showing me the way. I feel like that’s kind of what our program’s all about. The oldest players always got to lead and coach Ferentz talks about that. Again, we got the job done and I’m just proud of this team,” Campbell explained how the Iowa defense never gave up amidst adversity.

With the game tied at 10-10 late in the fourth quarter, Campbell was the recipient of a tipped ball and intercepted the pass. He ran it back for what should have been a game-winning touchdown return but was wrongly called out of bounds. Regardless, it set the Hawkeyes up for a game-winning field goal by freshman kicker Drew Stevens.

Campbell has totaled a team-leading 110 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery through 11 games.

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