Sept. 26, 2011
- 2011 Game Day Central
- 2011 Fall Camp Central
- America Needs Farmers
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- gohawks.com
- Iowa Football Wallpaper
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior defensive tackle Tom Nardo has been named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 45-17 win over the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The Big Ten honor is the first for Nardo, and Iowa’s second Player of the Week honor in 2011. Quarterback James Vandenberg was named Offensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s win over Pittsburgh.
Nardo (6-3, 277) is a native of Lancaster, Pa., where he attended Catholic High School. He joined the Iowa program as a walk-on and during his career has earned a scholarship.
Nardo started for the second time in Iowa’s win over ULM. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles, including six solo, two tackles for loss and a shared quarterback sack. Nardo and his defensive teammates held ULM to just 59 net rushing yards, and the Warhawks had just one rushing play gain over six yards.
In four games, Nardo has recorded eight solo tackles and 16 assists. He has three tackles for loss, one pass break-up and one forced fumble.
Nardo is the first Hawkeye to earn the defensive award since defensive back Shaun Prater was honored last Nov. 1. Nardo is the first Iowa defensive lineman to earn Player of the Week honors since defensive end Adrian Clayborn was recognized Oct. 4, 2010.
The Hawkeyes are idle this weekend and return to action at Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 8.