SPORTS SHORTS: Graves shares B1G defensive award

Aaron Graves

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa junior defensive lineman Aaron Graves has been named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week following his effort in the Hawkeyes’ 40-16 rout over Washington on Saturday. Graves shares the honor with Minnesota’s Koi Perich.

The weekly conference accolade is the first for Graves and the second for a Hawkeye this season, as Kaleb Johnson was recognized as co-Offensive Player of the Week after Iowa’s road win at Minnesota.

Against Washington, Graves totaled five tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass deflection. The pair of forced fumbles were a career-best for Graves, a Dayton, Iowa, native.

Iowa’s O-Line on Joe Moore honor roll

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa’s offensive line was named to the midseason honor roll for the Joe Moore Award. The award honors offensive line units that display a high level of toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique and finishing.

The award is named after Joe Moore, widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history. It is the only major college football award to honor a unit.

Iowa’s offensive line includes center Logan Jones, tackles Mason Richman and Gennings Dunker, and guards Connor Colby and Beau Stephens. The Hawkeye offense has gained 200 or more rushing yards in four of the team’s five games.