Iowa Football: Pair of Hawkeyes tied for Big Ten lead in sacks

Through eight games played, no one has more sacks in the Big Ten than these two Iowa football players.

There’s no question that Iowa football has one of the best defenses in the nation. The Hawkeyes rank in the top 15 in several defensive categories, but two particular players stand alone when it comes to getting after the quarterback.

It’s not surprising that defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon and defensive end Chauncey Golston are tied for the Big Ten lead in sacks (5.5) after eight games. Nixon also leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss (13.5). The pair have been the Hawkeyes’ two best players on defense this season.

As if leading the conference in sacks wasn’t enough, both players have also intercepted a pass in 2020.

Nixon returned his interception 71 yards for a touchdown against Penn State in the fourth quarter to cap off a 41-21 blowout by the Hawkeyes. Coincidentally, Golston’s interception came earlier in the fourth quarter against Penn State. Even weirder? Both players have exactly 45 tackles this season and each has a forced fumble.

With the way Golston and Nixon are playing, it’s likely we could see both players selected in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft this spring.

Nixon (6-3, 305) was named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy last week, which honors the national defensive player of the year. He was also named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and Outland Trophy. Nixon is the only player in college football to be named to all three award lists.

Golston (6-5, 270) was one of 24 players named as semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy last week. The trophy honors college football’s greatest ‘IMPACT’ player, which is an acronym that stands for for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Nixon and Golston have a chance to end the season as co-leaders for most sacks in the Big Ten when the season concludes this Saturday. The Hawkeyes (6-2) will host a weak Michigan team (2-4) begging to get their season over with.