IOWA CITY – University of Iowa defensive end Drew Ott has been named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Iowa’s 17-13 win over Ball State this past Saturday.
The Big Ten honor is the first for Ott (6-foot-4, 270-pounds), a junior from Trumbull, Nebraska. (Giltner HS). He is the first Hawkeye to earn the honor this season. Three Iowa players earned the conference defensive honor on four occasions in 2013.
Ott recorded a team and career-high 13 tackles in the win over Ball State, including six solo tackles and seven assists. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. He forced a Ball State fumble in the final minute of the game to seal Iowa’s comeback win. He led an Iowa defense that held Ball State’s offense to six points, 90 net rushing yards and 219 yards total offense.
In two games, Ott has recorded 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He ranks third in the Big Ten in tackles for loss and 15th in total tackles. The Iowa defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown in two games and ranks second in the Big Ten with seven sacks.
Iowa’s most recent defensive Player of the Week was linebacker Christian Kirksey, who was recognized following Iowa’s win at Nebraska in the 2013 regular season finale.
In addition to the Big Ten honor, Ott was also named honorable mention Defensive Lineman of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA). Iowa senior tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat received the same honor from the CFPA following Iowa’s opening win over Northern Iowa.
