King, Duzey Earn Recognition

Oct. 21, 2013

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa defensive back Desmond King was named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 34-24 loss at Ohio State. In addition, sophomore tight end Jake Duzey earned honorable mention tight end of the week recognition from the College Football Performance Awards.

King (5-11, 185) is a true freshman from Detroit, Mich., where he attended East English Village HS. King has played in all seven games, while starting six games at right cornerback. King registered a career-best 12 tackles in the loss at No. 3/4 Ohio State, including 10 solo stops.

King ranks fourth on the team with 41 tackles, while also recording 1.5 tackles for loss, three pass break-ups and a recovered fumble. In three Big Ten games, he is averaging nine tackles per contest. He is the first true freshman to start in Iowa’s defensive secondary since Jovon Johnson in 2002.

Duzey (6-4, 245) is a sophomore from Troy, Mich. (Athens HS). He had the best game of his career at Ohio State, with six receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Duzey had three receptions for 24 yards on the opening possession as Iowa scored a touchdown to take a 7-0 advantage.

Duzey scored his first career touchdown in the third quarter on an 85-yard reception from QB Jake Rudock to tie the score at 24. That score ranks as the ninth longest scoring reception in school history and the second longest scoring reception by a Hawkeye tight end. Duzey’s 138 receiving yards are the most in a game by a tight end under Kirk Ferentz.

The Big Ten honor is the first for King and marks the first time a Hawkeye has earned the freshman award.

Iowa (4-3, 1-2) hosts Northwestern Saturday (11 a.m., BTN). An estimated 2,400 tickets remain. Student tickets are $50 (two allowed per student) and general public tickets are $65. Tickets can be purchased at hawkeyesports.com, by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS, or in person at the UI athletics ticket office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.