HAWK TALK

October 2017

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11 J osey Jewell grinned when he heard that Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker refers to him as obnoxiously competitive. "I try to go as hard as I can all the time," Jewell said. "Everything is competitive in life." It will be difficult to find a more competitive defender than Jewell on a college football field. Aer a 16-tackle performance against No. 4 Penn State on Sept. 23, Jewell was recognized for a second time in four weeks as a Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of Week. "at is cool stuff but I would rather win the game," Jewell said. "Awards are secondary." e Hawkeyes suffered their first defeat of the season against Penn State. e Nittany Lions racked up 579 yards, but needed a 7-yard touchdown pass on the game's final play to escape Kinnick Stadium with a 21-19 decision. Jewell was his typical, dominant self. e 6-foot- 2, 236-pound senior from Decorah, Iowa, contributed 11 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and a 33- yard interception return that set up Iowa's first touchdown. "Josey continues to play so well for us," Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. "He is an unbelievable football player and leader on our team." As a junior in 2016, Jewell made 124 tackles and was named second-team All-Big Ten, Iowa's defensive MVP, and fourth-team All-America by three outlets. A year earlier he made 126 tackles and was named to the Big Ten Conference second team. And here is the scary part: Jewell is much better now than he was as a sophomore or junior. In preseason he was named to five national award watch lists. Aer a 24-3 win over Wyoming on Sept. 2, Jewell received his first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor by posting 14 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, and a pass breakup. Aer four weeks, he leads the conference with 44 tackles. "I have always tried to have the mentality that any play could be your last, so play like it is your last play and always give 100 percent," Jewell said. "I don't think it has ever changed. You can see the end (of my college career) is near and it sucks; you want to keep going out there and not regret anything." e honors came flooding in for Jewell aer roughing up defending Big Ten champion Penn State over the course of 99 plays Sept. 23. He shared the league defensive honor with Michigan senior defensive lineman Chase Winovich. en he was honored as the Bednarik Award Player of the Week, followed soon by the Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week. "I try to lead by example, I'm not usually the guy yelling at anybody," Jewell said. "I want to be a positive example, always trying to stay upright and not look like you're tired even though it might be hard; bust your butt all day and try to make the team better." When Jewell arrived on campus, he learned from the likes of Anthony Hitchens, Christian Kirksey, and James Morris. en came Quinton Alston, Cole Fisher, and Travis Perry. As a lean freshman, Jewell made play aer play during a 45-28 loss to Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Aer making 14 tackles, he was named Iowa's Most Valuable Player in the game. He has been leading by example since. As the clock continues to tick on his collegiate career, Jewell understands that it is his turn to set the tone for the present and future. And inspire the next wave of Hawkeyes to be obnoxiously competitive. OCTOBER SCHEDULE Oct. 7 Illinois (Homecoming) Oct. 21 at Northwestern Oct. 28 Minnesota

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