Credit John Nestor for having impeccable timing.
In facing Big Ten rival Wisconsin for the first time at Minnesota, the 2023 Marist graduate was one of the primary reasons why the Golden Gophers won 17-7 and retained Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
The Oak Lawn resident finished with a career-best nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Nestor also returned his second interception 68 yards.
According to Stathead, no FBS player since 1995 has had a game like Nestor’s with at least nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. With his pair of third-quarter picks, Nestor is the first Gopher with multiple interceptions in a period in three seasons.
For his efforts, Nestor was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week for December 1.
“This is a super-high honor,” Nestor said. “It’s something that I’ve dreamed of since I stepped into the college-football world. This is something that I’ve worked very hard for and something that was on top of my goal list.
“I credit all my teammates and I credit all my coaches for putting me in the best positions and I credit my teammates for allowing that to happen. A lot of those plays that came my way happened because of the defensive line and the linebackers and the safeties were sticking to their assignments and doing their jobs at the highest level possible in order for someone to make a play.”
In addition, Nestor was nominated for the Bednarik Award Player of the Week by the Maxwell Football Club.
Nestor has appeared in 10 games in his first season with the Gophers after playing in 20 games over two seasons at Iowa. He has 47 tackles, six tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. He leads Minnesota in interceptions (five) and passes defended (six).
“I think my strength is that I’m a very instinctual corner,” Nestor said. “… Once I feel something coming — and a lot of it is based off film prep and study — but when I see something, I go get it.
“I’ve always played like that my whole life. … A lot of it is footwork and a lot of it is technique and speed and physicality which are a lot of my strengths as well. But I feel like my instinct allows me to play fast and play free.”
Minnesota wrapped up an 8-5 season by edging New Mexico 20-17 in overtime in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix on Dec. 26. Nestor had three tackles and an intereception.
“These guys have been nothing but welcoming to me and the coaches are phenomenal,” Nestor said. “The players are phenomenal as well. The locker room is awesome, so that the transition (from Iowa to Minnesota) has been really smooth. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity.”
● Stagg graduate Mia Dosen led Dominican women’s soccer in goals (nine) and points (19) en route to earning a spot on the All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference second team.