Moss, Jones earn conference awards, also among Hawkeyes named All-Big Ten
The Big Ten announced its defensive and special teams honors on Tuesday, and plenty of Hawkeyes were recognized.
November 30, 2021
Iowa cornerback Riley Moss and wide receiver/returner Charlie Jones have been named the Big Ten Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year and Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year, respectively, the conference announced on Tuesday.
Moss is the fifth Hawkeye to earn Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, joining, Micah Hyde (2012), Desmond King (2015), Josh Jackson (2017), and Amani Hooker (2018). The senior ranks 11th in the country and third in the Big Ten with four interceptions this season despite missing three games because of an injury. Moss had two interception returns for touchdowns in Iowa’s season-opening win over Indiana.
Jones becomes the second Hawkeye to win Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year, joining Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who won the award in 2018. The senior Buffalo transfer and former walk-on leads the conference and ranks second in the NCAA in total kick return yards (605). Jones returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in Iowa’s win over Illinois.
.@R_moss5 had a career-best season and is part of a @HawkeyeFootball secondary that has recorded an NCAA-leading 22 interceptions in 2021. @B1Gfootball 𝗧𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗺-𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 pic.twitter.com/qrKFjjtsSb
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 30, 2021
Here’s Jones!
Charlie Jones ran for 282 reception yards on the year and had that infamous 100-yard kick return that kept @HawkeyeFootball strong all year.@B1Gfootball 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀-𝗗𝘄𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 pic.twitter.com/d5FZfhcApg
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 30, 2021
Moss and Jones were also both among the 11 Hawkeyes to earn defensive and special teams All-Big Ten honors on Tuesday:
All-Big Ten – Coaches
DB Dane Belton – First Team
DB Riley Moss – First Team
RS Charlie Jones – First Team
DL Zach VanValkenburg – Second Team
DB Matt Hankins – Second Team
PK Caleb Shudak – Second Team
LB Jack Campbell – Third Team
LB Seth Benson – Honorable Mention
DL Noah Shannon – Honorable Mention
DB Jack Koerner – Honorable Mention
P Tory Taylor – Honorable Mention
All-Big Ten – Media
DB Dane Belton – First Team
DB Riley Moss – First Team
LB Jack Campbell – First Team
PK Caleb Shudak – First Team
RS Charlie Jones – First Team
DL Zach VanValkenburg – Second Team
DB Matt Hankins – Second Team
LB Seth Benson – Honorable Mention
DL Noah Shannon – Honorable Mention
DB Jack Koerner – Honorable Mention
P Tory Taylor – Honorable Mention
Iowa’s seven All-Big Ten defensive honorees led a defensive unit that ranked third in the conference in total defense (315.8 yards allowed per game) and rushing defense (105.8), fourth in scoring defense (17.3 points per game allowed), and sixth in passing defense (210.0). Iowa leads the nation with 22 interceptions.
Belton ties for the national lead in interceptions (five) and has 41 tackles this season, including four tackles for loss. VanValkenburg has started all 12 games at defensive end and totaled 24 solo tackles and 24 assists, with 14 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Hankins has three interceptions and 44 tackles and five pass break-ups.
RELATED: Defending Michigan rushing attack a focus for Iowa ahead of Big Ten Championship
Campbell leads Iowa and ranks second in the Big Ten with 124 tackles, including 74 solo tackles and 84 assists. He also has six pass break-ups, two recovered fumbles, one forced fumble, and five tackles for loss. He returned an interception for a touchdown in Iowa’s win over the Fighting Illini. Koerner has two interceptions and two pass breakups for the Hawkeyes. He has notched 76 tackles, including three solo tackles for loss. Shannon has 39 tackles, three quarterback hurries, and a sack for the Hawkeyes. Shannon had a career-high six tackles versus Purdue. Benson ranks second on the team in both tackles (89) and quarterback hurries (6). He had his first career interception against Iowa State on Sept. 11.
The Hawkeyes earned All-Big Ten honors in all three phases of special teams.
Along with Jones, Iowa’s kicker and punter were honored. Shudak has gone 22-of-25 on field goal attempts this season, with a long of 51 yards. He is 4-of-6 on attempts of 50-plus. Taylor has punted 69 times, with a long of 69 yards, and ranks 16th in the NCAA in average (45.8).
Big Ten offensive honors will be announced on Wednesday.
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who holds the Wolverines’ record for sacks in a season, was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.
Iowa (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten) plays Michigan (11-1, 8-1) in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday in Indianapolis. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:17 p.m. inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The game will air on FOX.