Anthony Nelson roars to Big Ten weekly freshman honor

Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson was named the Big Ten Conference's freshman of the week, the league announced Monday morning.

In Saturday’s 45-21 season-opening win over Miami (Ohio), the 6-foot-7, 250-pound redshirt freshman racked up 2.5 sacks and forced a pair of fumbles, both of which led to Iowa touchdowns. He was credited with two solo tackles, four assists and a pass breakup as well.

Nelson’s first forced fumble arrived after the RedHawks had moved inside the Iowa red zone midway through the first quarter. On first-and-goal from the 8-yard line, Nelson sacked Miami (Ohio) quarterback Billy Bahl for a 7-yard loss, causing a fumble that Matt Nelson eventually recovered.

Two plays later, Iowa was in the end zone, sporting a 21-0 advantage.

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Nelson sacked Bahl again to force a fumble late in the fourth. Sam Brincks hopped on the recovery. The Hawkeyes scored less than two minutes later on Derrick Mitchell’s 5-yard touchdown run.   

The 15th-ranked Hawkeyes host Iowa State at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry.