Wej makes history; named the top 10 special teams players of the week
Graduate Kaden Wetjen went on a week 3 history when he returned to the tie-bottom for 95 yards in the third quarter of the Hawkeyes defeating UMass 47-7. The rate of return lists the top 10 and Iowa records (1966, Al Brenner of Michigan State University and Bill Happel of Iowa vs. Minnesota, 1984), is the longest punt return in Kinnik Stadium history, beating Bob Longley (1949 94 vs. Oregon).
•Wetjen ended with a career-high 216 yards (182 punts and 34 kickoffs) and a career-high 236 all-around yards. The 182 punt return yards are the fourth largest in one game in the Big Ten history, behind William May (233 in 2015), Nile Kinnick of Iowa (1939, 201) and Kevonte Martin-Manley of Iowa (184 in 2013).
• His 45.5 return (at least three pans) is the third highest average in the top ten history, behind Wisconsin's Earl Gillard (52.7 vs. Iowa, 1947) and Martin-Manley (44.7 vs. Western Michigan, 2013).
•He was appointed as the “Top Ten Special Team” for a week on September 15.
Cried again
Graduate Kaden Wetjen was playing again in Week 4 of Rutgers when he returned to kick off for 100 yards to lead Iowa State for a touchdown and the Big Ten record.
•This is the sixth-yard tee rate for a touchdown in school history and the second time in Wesson's career (versus Missouri, 2024 Music City Bowl). He is the second time he returns to touchdown tee (CJ Jones vs. USC in 2003 Orange Bowl).
•This is the 45th yard 100-yard kick-off return in the top ten history, and is the 25th place in the league game (the first game since 2023).
•Now, he joins the two for the most kick-off return touchdown in school history, joining Drell Johnson-Cullianos, Emire Smith Mestertt and Calil Hill.
•Wetjen was named the top 10 common special team player of the week on September 22, his second and third career honors.
Historical Puffs Return TD
Graduate student Kaden Wetjen has two punts returned for touchdowns in his Hawkeye career, the most in school history. In the 2024 season, he played 85 yards against the Northwest.
1. TimDwight (1994-97) 5
2. Kevonte Martin-Manley (2011-14)2
Kahlil Hill (1998, 2000-01) 2
Kaden Wetjen (2022-Pres.) 2
Returns a touchdown combination
Graduate Kaden Wetjen has four touchdowns in his career – two punts and two kickoffs. The total is the largest in school history. Wetjen also received a punt and kickback in 2024, making him the only player in the country to accomplish the feat.
1. TimDwight (1994-97) 5 (PR)
2. KahlilHill (1998, 2000-01) 4 (2 pr/2 kr)
Kaden Wetjen (2022-Pres.) 4 (2 PR, 2 KR)
Stevens approaches record
Senior Drew Stevens finished second in program history with his fourth-quarter shot at Rutgers. The South Carolina native gave him 61 shots in his career this season, scoring 9-7 in his shooting. He ranked 16th in the NCAA (third in the Big Ten), with averaging shots (1.75).
• From the 10th week of the 2024 season to the 3rd week of the 2025 season, he scored 15 consecutive shots.
1. NateKaeding (2000-03) 67
2. MikeMeyer (2010-13) 61
Drew Stevens (2022-Pres.) 61
• Stevens beat the Great Danes by connecting from 28 and 55 yards in his career. The 55 yard is fourth in school history. He also played 54 yards against UMass – his school record career is over 50.
•Stevens enjoyed a breakthrough in the 2024 season, scoring 20 goals with 23 goals, the highest in career and the sixth place in program history. He scored more than 4 from 5 shots from 40-49 yards.
•He tied for Kyle Schlicer's program record, which was set in 2004 and scored five shots in a road victory in Maryland on November 23. The five also tied the SECU Stadium to SECU Stadium, which made him named the top ten special teams of the week.
•Stevens’ two producers from 54 yards and 50 yards, making him the first Hawkeye since Tim Douglas (Illinois, 1998), scoring multiple 50-plus shots in the same game.
• Stevens has four professional games, he scored at least four shots and won three of his careers (21 yards, 28 seconds left in the 2022 road win at Minnesota, 53 yards in 2023 Northwestern, and 53 yards in 2023 and 53 yards in 2024 win over Nebraska in 53 yards).
•In his career, Stevens scored 61 of 76 shots (80.3%), 98 of 100 in PATS. In the 50-59 yards of the Hawkeye career, he was 10 of 14 in the game.
•Steven’s brother Jack is a kicker at Washington State University. He spent his freshman season in South Dakota.
Stevens scores on career
Senior Drew Stevens scored 36 points in the first four weeks of the 2025 season, tied with the team's lead. He now has 281 career points, ranking fourth in program history.
1. NateKaeding 373 (1 TD, 166 PAG, 67 FG)
2. MikeMeyer 324 (141 Pat, 61 FG)
3. RobHoughtlin 290 (128 Pat, 54 FG)
4. DrewStevens 281 (98 Pat, 61 FG)
A Block-A-Pa-looza
Iowa has blocked two kicks this season and is ranked sixth in the NCAA this season.
•Redshirt freshman Preston Ries grabbed the pan in the fourth quarter of Iowa’s defeat of Ualbany. Monticello, Iowa is the first Hawkeye since 2023 Yahya Black has had its first Hawkeye since 2023.
• Graduate student Ethan Hurkett blocked the goal in Week 4 of the Rutgers, which left the Hawkeyes blocked for the third straight season. This was Helkert's first career obstacle.