IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior punter Tory Taylor has been named Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week following his dominant performance in the Hawkeyes’ 15-6 road win at Wisconsin, it was announcement Monday by the Big Ten Conference office. It is the second straight week and fifth time in his career that Taylor has earned the weekly accolade.
Taylor punted 10 times for a career-high 506 combined yards, averaging 50.6 yards per punt, against the Badgers. Half of his 10 punts were over 50 yards, including two 60+ yards (60 and 62) and six were downed inside the 20-yard line. None of his punts were touchbacks. His 10 punts equaled a personal best, while his 62-yard punt in the third quarter matched a season high.
The Australia native ranks first in the conference and fourth in the country in average yards per punt (48.3). Taylor has been included in Ray’s 8, which recognizes top punting performances nationally, four of the first six weeks of 2023.
This marks the fourth time this season that Hawkeye football players have earned Big Ten weekly recognition. Taylor was an honoree last week (special teams) after its nine-point win over Wisconsin. Cooper DeJean (special teams) and Nick Jackson (defense) were recognized after Iowa’s win over Michigan State. Sebastian Castro (defense) was honored following the Hawkeyes’ triumph at in-state rival Iowa State.
No. 24 Iowa (6-1, 3-1) will host Minnesota (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City (2:30 p.m. CT, NBC).