Kaden Wetjen earned his third Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week award this season

Wetjen could only be stopped when Michigan State didn't kick to him
Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (21) returns a punt to the endzone against the Michigan State Spartans Nov. 22, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (21) returns a punt to the endzone against the Michigan State Spartans Nov. 22, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

They might as well name the award after Kaden Wetjen at this point.

After tallying 1,055 total return yards (727 kick, 328 punt) and two touchdowns last season, Wetjen has added to his historic career this season.

Wetjen has already tied the record for the longest return touchdown in Big Ten history with a 95-yard return touchdown in the 47-7 win over UMass in week three.

Heading into last weekend's game against Michigan State, Wetjen was tied for the Iowa program record with Tim Dwight for most return touchdowns in a career (5).

For some unknown reason, the Spartans wanted to give Wetjen every chance to break that record on Saturday after punting to him multiple times.

After nearly breaking a return for a touchdown near the five-minute mark of the first quarter, Michigan State again punted the ball back to Wetjen after failing to capitalize on a Mark Gronowski interception.

That was a costly mistake.

Wetjen scampered for a 62-yard touchdown return, passing Tim Dwight for the most career return touchdowns with six.

After another dominating display in the return game, Wetjen was once again named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.

After his record-breaking performance against Michigan State, Wetjen earned the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time this season.

Through 11 games this season, Wetjen has tallied 894 total return yards (538 punt, 356 kick) and four total touchdowns (three punt return, one kick return).

Assuming that Iowa will accept whatever bowl game they receive an invite to, Wetjen will have two more games to accumulate 162 total return yards to pass his yardage total from last season.

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