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Nestor Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
12/1/2025 2:00:00 PM | Football
Nestor had nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and recovered one fumble in Minnesota's 17-7 rivalry win
University of Minnesota defensive back John Nestor was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his standout performance in Minnesota's 17-7 rivalry win against Wisconsin.Â
Nestor recorded a career high nine tackles and two tackles for loss in the border battle win. He also had two interceptions (76 return yards) and recovered one fumble.Â
According to Stathead, entering play Saturday no FBS player since at least 1995 has had a game like Nestor's with at least nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.Â
Both of Nestor's interceptions came in the third quarter, making him the first Gopher with multiple picks in a quarter since Tyler Nubin versus Rutgers in 2022.
Nestor also had two interceptions earlier this year against Northwestern State. He joins Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019) as the only Gopher since at least 2000 to have multiple games in a season with two interceptions.
Nestor returned his second interception 68 yards, and he finished with 76 all-purpose yards on his two interception returns.
His fumble recovery in the first quarter was the second of his career and his first as a Gopher.Â
He is the first Gopher to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week since Koi Perich was honored on Oct. 14, 2024.Â
Nestor recorded a career high nine tackles and two tackles for loss in the border battle win. He also had two interceptions (76 return yards) and recovered one fumble.Â
According to Stathead, entering play Saturday no FBS player since at least 1995 has had a game like Nestor's with at least nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.Â
Both of Nestor's interceptions came in the third quarter, making him the first Gopher with multiple picks in a quarter since Tyler Nubin versus Rutgers in 2022.
Nestor also had two interceptions earlier this year against Northwestern State. He joins Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019) as the only Gopher since at least 2000 to have multiple games in a season with two interceptions.
Nestor returned his second interception 68 yards, and he finished with 76 all-purpose yards on his two interception returns.
His fumble recovery in the first quarter was the second of his career and his first as a Gopher.Â
He is the first Gopher to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week since Koi Perich was honored on Oct. 14, 2024.Â
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