Owen Gill is Honorary Captain Saturday

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa running back Owen Gill will serve as honorary captain when the Hawkeyes host Ball State Saturday in Kinnick Stadium (2:35 p.m., ESPN2).

Gill was a four-year letterman for the Hawkeyes from 1981-84, who completed his career as Iowa’s career rushing leader with 2,556 yards. The native of Brooklyn, New York, currently ranks seventh in career rushing yards, is tied for sixth with 22 career rushing touchdowns and tied for 18th in career scoring with 132 points.

Gill helped Iowa post a 25-15-1 record during his career. The Hawkeyes competed in four bowl games, including the 1982 Rose Bowl — Iowa’s first bowl game appearance since the 1959 Rose Bowl.

Gill earned second team All-Big Ten honors as a senior, when he was also named a permanent team captain. He competed in the Hula Bowl following his final season and was a second round selection of the Seattle Seahawks in the 1985 NFL Draft. Gill played three seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks, Rams and Buccaneers.

Gill ranked fifth in the Big Ten in rushing and sixth in receiving as a senior, while playing both running back and fullback. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten as a sophomore and again as a junior. He rushed for 798 yards in 1983, despite battling injuries throughout the season.

He continues to share the Iowa record for rushing touchdowns in a game, scoring four in a win over Iowa State as a junior. Gill also competed for the Iowa track team, placing fifth in the triple jump at the Big Ten Championships in 1983.

Gill will accompany the Iowa captains to the center of the field for Saturday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game, and on the sidelines during the contest.