24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20 | Fight For Iowa | Hawk Talk Monthly — November
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa named junior Maddy Murphy (field hockey) and junior A.J. Epenesa (football) November’s Student-Athletes of the Month on behalf of SAAS.
Murphy, a native from Riana, Tasmania, earns the honor for the second straight month. During the Big Ten Field Hockey Championship and the NCAA tournament, Murphy posted five assists and one goal. The goal came in the Big Ten Championship game, in which Murphy scored the game winner in an overtime win against Penn State. Off the field, Murphy is involved in multiple organizations. She spends time volunteering with Domestic Violence Intervention Program holiday store, Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and Recycle Like a Hawk. Murphy hold leadership positions in ISAAC, Athletics Sustainability Committee, and as a hazing prevention strategies student-athlete leader.
Epenesa is a native of Glen Carbon, Illinois. Two times in November Epenesa was recognized as Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week. He first earned the honor following Iowa’s 23-19 win over seventh-ranked Minnesota on Nov. 16. Epenesa recorded 2.5 of Iowa’s six sacks, three solo tackles and one assisted tackle, forced one fumble and had one quarterback pressure. He later earned the honor following Iowa’s 27-24 win at Nebraska on Nov. 29. He recorded career highs in tackles (14) and tackles-for-loss (4.5-22) against the Huskers. Epenesa spends his free time volunteering with many different community agencies including Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Play 2B Fit, Salvation Army, VA Hospital, Hawkeye Readers, and Dance Marathon.
The Hawkeyes will face USC in the 2019 San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California, on Dec. 27. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised on FS1.
