Sebastian Castro

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa senior defensive back Sebastian Castro has been named Big Ten Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the Hawkeyes’ 20-13 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series win at Iowa State. The announcement was made Monday by the Big Ten Conference office.

Castro (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown, collected four tackles (three solo) and had a pass break-up in last Saturday’s in-state showdown.

Castro’s pick-6 in the second quarter proved to be the game-winning score. The pick-six was Iowa’s first of the season and marked the 16th consecutive season that a Hawkeye defender has returned an interception for a score, the second longest active streak in the country (Utah).

One of Castro’s four tackles and his one pass break-up both came on third-down plays in the second half.

The native of Oak Lawn, Ill., is the first Hawkeye to earn Big Ten weekly recognition this season.

Last season, Castro got his first real run as a primary member of the Iowa secondary. He finished with 33 tackles, five passes defensed, three tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and one sack.

Iowa (2-0) closes out non-conference play Saturday, hosting Western Michigan (1-1) at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.