Nov. 14, 2005
University of Iowa freshman defensive tackle Mitch King has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Iowa’s 20-10 win over Wisconsin last Saturday.
King becomes the first freshman to earn Big Ten Player of the Week honors this season after setting career highs with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. It was part of an Iowa defense that limited Wisconsin to season-lows in total offensive yards (276) and points (10) during the road win at Madison.
The 6-3, 247-pound red-shirt freshman from Burlington, IA, collected six tackles, including five solo stops, and recorded a quarterback hurry while helping limit the Badgers to only 19 rushing yards. The Badgers entered the game leading the Big Ten and ranked 10th nationally with 37.1 points per outing while averaging 389.1 yards of total offense and 167.1 rushing yards per game.
The Iowa defense held Wisconsin to only 94 yards in the second half, including 68 yards on the final drive of the game. King leads the team and ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 10.5 tackles for loss. He has 53 tackles so far this season.
King becomes the third Hawkeye defensive player to win the league’s player of the week honors this year. Chad Greenway was honored for his play against Northern Iowa and Abdul Hodge for his work against Illinois. Both are senior linebackers.
Running back Amir Pinnix of Minnesota was named offensive player of the week and Michigan’s Steve Breaston and Purdue’s Dave Brytus shared special team honors.