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Iowa DL Aaron Graves tied for national sack lead after Week 1
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While Iowa’s offense stole the headlines by finding moderate success in a 40-0 win over Illinois State on Saturday, the Hawkeye defense continued with business as usual, suffocating the Redbirds’ offense.
A major reason for the shutout was junior defensive end Aaron Graves, who finished with 3 sacks in the win. It was the most sacks by an Iowa player in a season-opener in 32 years, and the performance tied Graves for the nation’s lead in sacks coming out of Week 1.
Aaron Graves spent a lot of time in the Illinois State backfield 😤#B1GStats x #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/oZamKuaSbf
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 31, 2024
North Carolina’s Jahvaree Ritzie and UNLV’s Jackson Woodard also recorded 3 sacks in their teams’ wins over Minnesota and Houston, respectively. Woodard is the only linebacker of the group.
Graves and the Hawkeyes now turn their focus to Iowa State and the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game, which will be played Saturday in Iowa City. The Iowa defense has not allowed the Cyclones to score more than 17 points in the rivalry since 2017.
Livin’ in the backfield 😤
Aaron Graves recorded three sacks in today’s win.#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/jclYric9VI
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) August 31, 2024
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