Vandenberg Earns Big Ten Weekly Honor
Courtesy: University of Iowa Athletics
Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in Iowa City, Iowa. Vandenberg threw for 399 yards as Iowa won 31-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
By
James Steward
Story Created:
Sep 20, 2011 at 5:13 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 20, 2011 at 5:13 PM CDT
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa junior quarterback James Vandenberg has been named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa's 31-27 win over Pittsburgh last Saturday. The honor from the league is Vandenberg's and the team's first Player of the Week nod this season.
Vandenberg, a 6-3, 212-pounder from Keokuk, Iowa, is the first native Iowan to start at quarterback for the Hawkeyes since 2001. He led the Hawkeyes' second half rally against Pittsburgh, rushing for one touchdown and throwing three scoring passes in the final 17 minutes.
His final pass was a 22-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley with 2:51 remaining, giving Iowa its final 31-27 advantage. He had touchdown passes of 14 and 25 yards earlier in the fourth period. At one point in the rally, Vandenberg completed 10 straight passes.
His totals against the Panthers included 31-of-48 passing for 399 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He completed 17 of his final 20 attempts, while posting career bests in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns.
Vandenberg's 399 passing yards ties as the seventh best single-game total in school history, while the 31 completions rank fourth best and the 48 attempts tie as the school's seventh highest total.
Vandenberg is the first Iowa player to win the offensive award since Ricky Stanzi was honored for his performance against Michigan (Oct. 16) last year. Iowa had six Big Ten Player of the Week honors in 2010.
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