Johnson Named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson has been named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week following his performance in the Hawkeyes’ 31-14 win at Minnesota, it was announced Monday by the league office.  Johnson shares the honor with Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer.

The weekly accolade is the second for Johnson, who was tabbed both offensive and freshman of the week after his first 200-yard rushing effort of his career on Nov. 7, 2020, at Purdue.

Johnson (6-foot, 225 pounds) notched his fourth consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with career highs in rushing yards (206) and touchdowns (3). He posted scoring runs of one, 15 and 40 yards. Johnson had runs of 21, 23, 24, 33 and 40 yards in the game — his eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th rushes of 20+ yards this season. He has four TD runs of 25+ yards.

Johnson is the first Hawkeye to post four straight 100-yard rushing games since Mark Weisman in 2012. Johnson now has eight career 100-yard games, which tie for 12th most in program history. He has two touchdowns in four consecutive games, a first for a Hawkeye since Mark Weisman in 2014 (five straight games). Johnson is the first Iowa tailback with multiple touchdowns in the first four games of a season since Tavian Banks in 1997 (12 touchdowns).

The Hamilton, Ohio, native has amassed 685 yards and nine touchdowns — averaging 8.4 yards per attempt — through four games. Johnson is one of three Big Ten players with 680+ rush yards and 9+ rush touchdowns through a team’s first four games since 2000 (Javon Ringer, Michigan State, in 2008; Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota, in 2020).

Iowa (3-1, 1-0) returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Ohio State. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (CT) in Columbus, Ohio, and will be televised on CBS.