IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen has been named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week following his historic effort in the Hawkeyes’ 20-17 comeback win over Michigan State. The announcement was made Monday by the Big Ten Conference office.

Wetjen finished with 166 combined return yards — his sixth career game with 100+ return yards — and one touchdown against the Spartans. Wetjen’s 147 punt return yards on Saturday moved him past Ramon Ochoa for most career punt return yards (538) in school history. Wetjen’s 17.5 career punt return average (53 returns, 929 yards) is currently No. 1 in Big Ten history.

Wetjen (5-foot-9, 196 pounds) electrified the sold-out Kinnick Stadium crowd with a 62-yard punt return to open the scoring in the first quarter. The return was his fourth of the season (three punt, one kickoff), becoming the first Big Ten player to have at least three punt returns and one kickoff return for a score in the same season. Wetjen’s three punt return touchdowns tie for the second-most in a single season in Big Ten history, joining Michigan’s Gene Derricotte (1947), Iowa’s Tim Dwight (1997) and Nebraska’s De’Mornay Pierson-El (2014).

Saturday’s 62-yard return for a score was Wetjen’s sixth career combined return (four punt, two kickoff) for a touchdown, surpassing Tim Dwight (5) for most in school history. It also marked the third consecutive punt return for a touchdown in Kinnick Stadium against Michigan State: Charlie Jones (2020), Cooper DeJean (2023) and Kaden Wetjen (2025).

Trailing 17-10, Wetjen returned a punt 40 yards to the Michigan State 42-yard line with 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter. Five plays later, quarterback Mark Gronowski completed a game-tying 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jacob Gill with 1:29 left in the contest.

Wetjen also had a punt return of 45 yards in the first quarter and an 18-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.

This is the third time this season, and fourth time in his career, Wetjen has been honored as Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.

Iowa (7-4, 5-3) travels to Nebraska (7-4, 4-4) for its regular season finale on Friday. Kickoff is slated for 11:08 a.m. (CT) in Lincoln, Nebraska.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Kaden Wetjen has been named a finalist for the 2025 Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. The announcement was made on Monday by the Jet Award Foundation.

The other four finalists are Caullin Lacy (Louisville), Ryan Niblett (Texas), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) and Vicari Swain (South Carolina).

Wetjen, who was the recipient of the 2024 Jet Award, leads the country in combined return yards (by 231 yards) for a second straight season. He has 894 combined return yards (356 kickoff, 538 punt) through 11 games. Wetjen is No. 1 in the NCAA in punt returns (28.3) and punt return TDs (3) and fourth in kickoff return touchdowns (1). The 28.3 punt return average is currently tops in Big Ten history. The three punt return touchdowns in 2025 tie for third-most in a single season in Big Ten history.

Wetjen, who is a two-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week in 2025, is the only player in the nation to have both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown this season and he was the only player to accomplish the same feat in 2024. He recorded punt returns of 50 (Minnesota), 62 (Michigan State) and 95 (UMass) yards and went untouched on a 100-yard kickoff return at Rutgers. The 95-yard punt return against UMass tied a Big Ten record.

His 538 punt return yards in 2025 are an Iowa record, passing Ramon Ochoa’s 495 in 2003, and are the seventh-most in Big Ten history.

The native of Williamsburg, Iowa, amassed 182 returns yards against UMass on Sept. 13, fourth-most in a single-game in Big Ten history. Wetjen also had a 20-yard rushing touchdown against the Minutemen to become the first Hawkeye to score a rushing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return touchdown in a career.

Wetjen currently has a 17.5 career punt return average (53 returns, 929 yards), tops in Big Ten history, while his 929 career yards are 10th-most in conference history. His six career combined kickoff/punt return scores are an Iowa record, surpassing Tim Dwight after his 62-yard return in Saturday’s comeback win over Michigan State.

The award is named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers. The winner of the 2025 Jet Award will be selected by a panel of voters, including media members from the Football Writers Association of America, former recipients of the Jet Award, and two of our founders, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.

Iowa (7-4, 5-3) returns to action Friday at Nebraska (7-4, 4-4) in the Pioneer Heroes Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:08 a.m. (CT) in Lincoln, Nebraska. The game will be televised on CBS and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Nebraska and Iowa will meet Friday in Lincoln for the 15th annual Heroes Game, presented by Pioneer Seeds. As part of the rivalry game, citizen heroes were selected from each state, with Ashley De La Cruz-Martin chosen as Nebraska’s Hero and Jayce Koob selected as Iowa’s Hero. Both will be recognized Friday, Nov. 28, at Memorial Stadium.

The Heroes Game was created to honor the rich football traditions of the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska football programs while also annually honoring community heroes in both states. The 2025 citizen heroes have positively impacted the community and stand as an inspiration to others.

Jayce Koob, a 12-year-old sixth grader from MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, awoke in the middle of the night to heavy smoke and alarms, but he managed to get out of the burning house.  With no phone and alone, Jayce traveled almost a mile to alert neighbors in rural Sioux county to call for help. The tragedy claimed the lives of three teenagers, but his heroic efforts saved a fourth teen inside the house.

“Jayce Koob exemplifies the very essence of courage and selflessness that we strive to celebrate through the Pioneer Heroes program. His quick thinking and bravery in the face of unimaginable tragedy saved a life and reminds us all of the power of resilience and compassion. We are honored to recognize Jayce as an Iowa Pioneer Hero,” said Beth Goetz, the Henry B. And Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair. “Thank you to Pioneer for shining a light on Jayce’s incredible story and for your continued commitment to honoring true heroes in our communities.”

“Pioneer is incredibly grateful to honor both Ashley and Jayce for their heroic and impactful efforts in our Midwest communities,” said Jeremy Renz, Pioneer Vice President – Sales. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping and honoring farmers throughout the U.S. and we are excited to keep that tradition going by honoring local heroes that live and work in the communities we serve every day. This partnership is one small way we can express our sincere gratitude for those heroes.”

Ashley De La Cruz-Martin, a 16-year-old from Columbus, Nebraska, was on her way into the Pawnee Plunge Water Park in late July, when she witnessed a man collapse in the parking lot. Drawing on her recent CPR training, Ashley immediately recognized the life-threatening situation and began administering CPR until paramedics arrived. Her quick thinking and decisive action saved the gentleman’s life.

“We are proud to recognize the life-saving act by Ashley De La Cruz-Martin and honor her as this year’s Nebraska Pioneer Hero. Ashley’s actions are representative of what this honor entails and make her a true citizen hero,” said Troy Dannen, Nebraska’s Director of Athletics. “The Pioneer Heroes Game reminds us all that life is much bigger than a three-hour football game. We are proud to partner with Pioneer and the University of Iowa each year to continue this great tradition on Thanksgiving weekend.”

Cruz-Martin and Koob will attend the game as special guests of the teams, receive on-field recognition at halftime, and have their names inscribed on the game trophy.

Pioneer, a current partner of both the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes, is a multi-year title sponsor of the Heroes Game. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Nebraska is overseen by Husker Athletic Partners, a Playfly Sports Property, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Iowa is overseen by Learfield’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based team.