As the Iowa Hawkeyes gear up for their 2026 season opener against Northern Illinois, they have honored a legendary figure from their past by naming Sedrick Shaw the honorary captain for the game. This matchup is set to take place at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, September 5, at 3:15 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Sedrick Shaw, a native of Austin, Texas, made a significant impact during his time with the Hawkeyes from 1993 to 1996. He is the only player in Iowa history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons and is one of only four players to achieve multiple 1,000-yard rushing campaigns. Shaw's impressive career statistics include a remarkable 4,156 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, and 837 rushing attempts, all of which remain Iowa's all-time records. Furthermore, he holds the record for the most career 100-yard games at 19.
Shaw's prowess on the field was evident as he consistently ranked among the top players in the program's history. He accumulated 214 points during his college career, placing him in the top 10 all-time for the Hawkeyes. Additionally, his all-purpose yardage of 4,974 ranks second in Iowa's history. Notably, Shaw had two standout performances where he surpassed the 200-yard rushing mark in a single game, including a remarkable 250-yard game against Michigan State in 1995 and a 214-yard game against Wisconsin in the same year.
During his four years at Iowa, Shaw was instrumental in leading the Hawkeyes to three bowl games, achieving victories in two of them. He earned the MVP award during Iowa's 38-18 triumph over Washington in the 1995 Sun Bowl, and he was also named the Offensive MVP in the 1996 Alamo Bowl, where Iowa defeated Texas Tech 27-0. His contributions to the team were recognized when he was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection and served as team captain in 1996. Shaw was also awarded Iowa's Most Valuable Player honors in both 1995 and 1996.
Following his successful college career, Shaw was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft, where he played professionally for three seasons. His legacy at Iowa is well-remembered, and this is not the first time he has taken on the role of honorary captain; he previously held this honor in 2012 during Iowa's 31-13 victory over Minnesota.
In addition to being named honorary captain, Shaw will be inducted into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend, further cementing his status as a Hawkeye legend. He will join the Iowa captains for the pregame coin toss and will spend time with the team in the locker room before and after the game, sharing his experience and wisdom with the current players.
The anticipation for the season opener against Northern Illinois is building, and with Sedrick Shaw's presence, it promises to be a memorable occasion for both the players and fans alike.
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