Nardo earns Big Ten POW

Iowa DT Thomas Nardo earned Big Ten defensive player of the week, the league announced Monday.

His 12 tackles against Louisiana Monroe last week were the highest total for an Iowa defensive tackle in the last five seasons, topping 10 put up twice by Mitch King and once by Matt Kroul.

From the Big Ten:

Tom Nardo, Iowa

Sr., DL, Lancaster, Pa./Catholic

• Finished with a career-high 12 tackles in helping Iowa defeat visiting Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday

• Totaled six solo tackles and six assisted stops

• Also finished with two tackles for loss, including a half sack

• Wins his first career Big Ten Player of the Week honor

• Last Iowa Defensive Player of the Week: Shaun Prater (Nov. 1, 2010)

From the UI sports info:

NARDO EARNS BIG TEN HONOR

IOWA CITY, Iowa - - University of Iowa senior defensive tackle Tom Nardo has been named Big Ten Conference defensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa's 45-17 win over Louisiana-Monroe. The Big Ten honor is the first for Nardo and Iowa's second Player of the Week honor in 2011. QB James Vandenberg was named offensive Player of the Week following Iowa's win over Pittsburgh.

Nardo (6-3, 277) is a native of Lancaster, Pa., where he attended Catholic High School. He joined the Iowa program as a walk-on and during his career has earned a scholarship.

Nardo started for the second time in Iowa's win over ULM. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles in the win, including six solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a shared QB sack. Nardo and his defensive teammates held ULM to just 59 net rushing yards and the Warhawks had just one rushing play gain over six yards.

In four games, Nardo has recorded eight solo tackles and 16 assists. He has three tackles for loss, one pass break-up and one forced fumble.

Nardo is the first Hawkeye to earn the defensive award since DB Shaun Prater was honored last Nov. 1. Nardo is the first Iowa defensive lineman to earn Player of the Week honors since DE Adrian Clayborn was recognized Oct. 4, 2010.

The Hawkeyes are idle this weekend and return to action at Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 8.