Iowa City Today

Kaden Wetjen, a return specialist for the University of Iowa, has been named Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. The recognition follows his performance in Iowa’s 38-28 win at Rutgers. Wetjen shares this honor with Michigan’s Dominic Zvada.

Wetjen recorded 183 all-purpose yards during the game, highlighted by a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening play. This return ties an Iowa record and marks only the sixth time in school history that a player has achieved a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. It is also Wetjen’s second career 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

He becomes just the second Hawkeye to return an opening kickoff for a touchdown, following C.J. Jones’ feat against USC in the 2003 Orange Bowl. The accomplishment is also notable as it is only the 45th such play in Big Ten history and the first since 2023.

Wetjen was recognized as last week’s Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week as well. He now has four career combined return touchdowns—two from punts and two from kickoffs—which ties him with Kahlil Hill for second-most all-time at Iowa, behind Tim Dwight who holds five. Last week, Wetjen returned a punt for a score against UMass.

The award marks Wetjen’s third career selection as Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week; he was previously honored once during the 2024 season.

Iowa currently holds a record of 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The team will host No. 11/12 Indiana (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday for Homecoming at Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. Central Time. The game will be available on Peacock and broadcast via the Hawkeye Radio Network.

"Kaden Wetjen earned Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week honors following his effort in the Hawkeyes’ 38-28 road victory at Rutgers, the announcement was made Monday by the league office."

"He shares the weekly honor with Michigan’s Dominic Zvada."