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Hyde Honored in a B1G Way By Darren Miller I t isn't that Micah Hyde lacks confidence, but after four years playing football in the Big Ten Conference, he knows how to evaluate talent. Hyde, a University of Iowa cornerback, received the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award Nov. 26, an honor that caught him by surprise. "When I heard the news the first time, it was a shock," Hyde said. "There are really good defensive backs in this conference; for my name to be at the top is a great honor. I want to say thank you to my coaches and my teammates for making me work hard, and I wouldn't be here without them." Hyde was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media. The group of firstteamers in the defensive backfield also included Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State, Bradley Roby and Travis Howard of Ohio State, and Daimion Stafford of Nebraska. Hyde completed the season with 78 tackles, including 44 solo stops. He led the team with 14 pass breakups, forced two fumbles, and had one interception. He recovered three fumbles, one of which he returned for a touchdown against Purdue. Hyde (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) is a native of Fostoria, Ohio. He started all 38 games over his final three seasons and played in all 51 games throughout his career. He recorded 240 career tackles to tie for 34th on Iowa's career tackle list. He is tied for 18th in career interceptions (8-142 yards) and had four forced and three recovered fumbles in his career. He had interception returns of 72 and 66 yards for touchdowns as a sophomore — the 10th and 12thlongest returns in school history. Hyde averaged 7.5 yards on 27 punt returns the last two seasons. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2011, and was honorable mention in 2010. "Micah has done a tremendous job for our team both on and off the field the past four years," said There were several opponents that made an impact UI head coach Kirk Ferentz. "Not only has Micah on Hyde. been a great starter at cornerback for us the last three years, he has also been a valuable contributor "The Michigan defensive backs, playing the on special teams as a gunner and punt returner. Nebraska guys last week; I think they did a good Micah has sparked our team with many big plays, job," Hyde said. "They play a lot of cover 1, so maybe none bigger than his interception and I think they handled our offense pretty well. touchdown return versus Missouri in the 2010 Through playing the games and seeing the other Insight Bowl. He has been a strong and positive defensive backs, I had a lot of respect for them." team leader for some time." The Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back Award is named after former Ohio State player Jack Tatum and former Purdue player Rod Woodson. 9