Xavier Nwankpa

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa senior safety Xavier Nwankpa has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following his effort in the Hawkeyes’ 25-24 comeback win over Penn State, as announced Monday by the league office.

Nwankpa, who earned his first Big Ten weekly honor, tied a career high with 10 total tackles while leading the team with seven solo stops against the Nittany Lions.

Not only did Nwankpa reach double digits in tackles, but he forced his first career fumble in the fourth quarter and returned his first interception of the season 28 yards to the 1-yard line in the second quarter. The takeaway and return ultimately resulted in seven points two plays later.

Nwankpa was also involved in Penn State’s final offensive play. With Iowa leading 25-24 and 1:20 on the game clock, the Nittany Lions had fourth-and-4 at midfield. Nwankpa came on a delayed blitz — flushing the quarterback from the pocket toward other Hawkeye defenders — forcing an incomplete pass to secure the victory.

Nwankpa is the first Hawkeye defender to earn Big Ten weekly honors since Aaron Graves a year ago on Oct. 14, 2024.