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Braeden Jackson has a 99-yard KO return for a TD at Michigan.Braeden Jackson has a 99-yard KO return for a TD at Michigan.
Football

Jackson Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Second-year University of Iowa running back Braeden Jackson has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the announcement was made Monday by the league office.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa second-year running back Braeden Jackson has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Monday. It is the first weekly conference honor of Jackson’s career.

The Ankeny, Iowa, native earned the distinction following his standout performance in Iowa's road win at No. 18 Michigan on Sept. 26. Highlighted by a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that tied the game at 7-7 in the first quarter, it marked the first kickoff return for a score by the Hawkeyes this season and the first of Jackson’s collegiate career.

Jackson finished the game with two returns for 119 yards, adding four rushes for 13 yards and one reception for six yards. His explosive touchdown return was the first allowed by Michigan on a kickoff since 2019.

The 99-yard touchdown return is tied for the seventh longest in Iowa history.  Jackson is the only player in the Big Ten and one of 13 players in the FBS to record a kickoff return for a touchdown this season.

With the play, the Hawkeyes join Iowa State, Miami (Ohio), and Georgia Tech as the only four schools in the nation to record both a punt return and a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2026. Notably, Iowa has accomplished this feat in three consecutive seasons.

Jackson is the second Hawkeye to earn Big Ten weekly honors this season. Caden Buhr was the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 14.

The 14th-ranked Hawkeyes return to action this Saturday, hosting No. 5/6 Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium. The game is sold out and will be televised nationally on CBS beginning at 2:30 p.m. (CT).