The Daily Iowan Pregame - 9.1.23

PREGAME

PREPARED UNDER PRESSURE

New Iowa QB Cade McNamara embraces adversity.

The Daily Iowan

Publisher Jason Brummond jason-brummond@uiowa.edu

Executive Editor

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Pregame Editor Matt McGowan matthew-r-mcgowan@uiowa.edu

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DEPTH CHART

5 things to watch

Matt McGowan Pregame Editor matthew-r-mcgowan@uiowa.edu

1. Performance of Iowa’s offensive line

After a 2022 season hampered by inexperience, the Hawkeye O-line returns this year with some needed maturity. Four of the five starters are upperclassmen, lead by senior Nick DeJong at left guard, who Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said can play both guard and tackle positions. Outside of DeJong’s versatility, Ferentz clarified that the other four starters will remain at their spots.

Starting center Logan Jones enters his second full season at the position after moving from the defensive line. Jones said Tuesday he has only grown more comfortable with the fundamentals of the position, adding that the unit has developed chemistry in off-the-field activities like board games .

Even though Utah State features only two players with five or more sacks last season, how well the O-line protects the quarterback in this contest will foreshadow what is to come in later weeks.

2. Cohesiveness of offense

The Black and Gold faithful should be tired of hearing about the 25 points per game clause in offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz’s contract, but ultimately, the success of the offense shouldn’t be defined by such an arbitrary number. Instead, the acumen of the offense should be based on third down conversion percentage, the average length of those third downs, as well as yards per play. The Hawkeyes could score only 21 points, but as long as the offense isn’t marred by three and outs and doesn’t fail to score in the red zone, then there will be hope of greener pastures in Iowa City.

It will be interesting to see if Iowa really steps on the gas if the contest gets to garbage time, but I’ll wager that it won’t have to if it converts at least 70 percent of its red zone possessions.

3. Growth of Kaleb Johnson

Johnson enters his first full season as the Hawkeyes’ starting back in 2023. The Hamilton, Ohio, native provided fans a

glimpse of his potential last November against Purdue, as the then-true freshman ran for 200 yards and a score against the Boilermakers.

Johnson said at Iowa football’s media day on Aug. 11 that his goals are to collect at least 1200 yards, and to become an “all-around back,” by improving his blocking and route running.

And if a linebacker blitzes through the line of scrimmage? “Take ’em out,” Johnson answered.

If the sophomore works in a few blocks and hits the hole in his carries on Saturday, then the Hawkeye offense will have something to lean on this year.

4. Stepping up for Noah Shannon

Even though Shannon is appealing his season-long suspension, the Iowa defensive tackle is still unable to play until the NCAA makes a decision. In his stead, junior Yahya Black has filled in as the starting left defensive tackle. Black, who wears size 17 shoes, is described by Hawkeye teammate Joe Evans as a “big boy,” but also “incredibly smart.”

“He’s been improving at a very, very, high rate and [I’m] just excited to see what he does on Saturday,” Evans said. Look for Black, who measures in at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, to wreak some havoc at the line of scrimmage and bottle up the run game against the Aggies.

5. WR room improvement

It’s been a while since the Hawkeyes have had some all-around talent in the receiver room. Starting pass-catchers Nico Ragaini and Diante Vines have plenty of experience between them, but the two Connecticut natives are joined by new sophomores Kaleb Brown and Seth Anderson.

Ragaini was complimentary of Anderson’s performance at Kids’ Day at Kinnick on Aug. 12, highlighting the Charleston Southern transfer’s ability to “track the ball over his shoulders while fully extended.”

This group of wideouts will have their work cut out for them later in the season, but against the Aggies, expect plenty of smooth route running and separation from the defender. No matter which quarterback plays on Saturday, this group should combine for at least 175 yards.

OFFENSE

LT 78 Mason Richman Jr

71 Jack Dotzler #Fr

LG 56 Nick DeJong Sr

60 Rusty Feth Sr

C 65 Logan Jones Jr

76 Tyler Elsbury Jr

RG 77 Connor Colby Jr

70 Beau Stephens Soph

RT 67 Gennings Dunker Soph

79 Daijon Parker Sr

WR 0 Diante Vines Sr

3 Kaleb Brown Soph

WR 89 Nico Ragaini Sr

6 Seth Anderson Soph

TE 85 Luke Lachey Jr

83 Erick All Sr

QB 12 Cade McNamara Sr

10 Deacon Hill Soph

RB 2 Kaleb Brown Soph

4 Leshon Williams Jr

FB 88 Hayden Large Sr

41 Rusty VanWeztinga Fr

PK 18 Drew Stevens Soph

DEFENSE

LE 45 Deontae Craig Jr

48 Max Llewellyn Soph

LT 94 Yahya Black Jr

95 Aaron Graves Soph

RT 85 Logan Lee Sr

55 Jeremiah Pittman Soph

RE 13 Joe Evans Sr

49 Ethan Hurkett Jr

OLB 37 Kyler Fisher Sr

29 Sebastian Castro Sr

MLB 34 Jay Higgins Sr 41 Jaden Harrell Soph

WLB 10 Nick Jackson Sr

37 Kyler Fisher Sr

CB 3 Cooper DeJean Jr

2 TJ Hall Soph

SS 1 Xavier Nwankpa Soph

29 Sebastian Castro Sr

FS 30 Quinn Schulte Sr

4 Koen Entringer #Fr

CB 27 Jermari Harris Jr

8 Deshaun Lee #Fr

P 9 Tory Taylor Sr

OFFENSE

LT 77 Ralph Frias III Sr

72 Calvin Knapp Sr

LG 79 Wade Meacham Sr

60 Wyatt Bowles Sr

C 69 Falepule Alo Sr

62 Aloali’i Maui Soph

RG 65 Tavo Motu’apuaka #Fr

75 Bryce Radford #Fr

RT 56 Cole Motes Jr

54 Teague Andersen #Fr

WR 1 Jaylen Royals Jr

14 Kahanu Davis Jr

WR 15 Otto Tia Soph

8 Colby Bowman Jr

TE 83 Josh Sterzer Sr

87 Broc Lane Jr

QB 5 Cooper Legas Sr

16 Levi Williams Jr

RB 2 Robert Briggs Soph

6 Davon Booth Jr

SLOT 0 Terrell Vaughn Sr

4 Micah Davis Jr

PK 59 William Testa Jr

DEFENSE

LE 32 Paul Fitzgerald #Fr

98 Cian Slone Jr

LT 48 Seni Tuiaki Soph

9 Poukesi Vakauta Sr

RT 8 Hale Motu’apuaka Sr

44 Bo Maile Soph

RE 45 Enoka Migao Soph

42 John Ward Jr

OLB 1 Anthony Switzer Jr

10 Jaiden Francois Jr

MLB 2 MJ Tafisi Jr. Sr

20 Cole Joyce Soph

WLB 33 Max Alford Soph

40 Gavin Barthiel Soph

CB 18 JD Drew #Fr

17 Avante Dickerson Soph

SS 3 Javar Strong Soph

16 Devin Dye Soph

FS 6 Ike Larsen Soph

12 Simeon Harris Soph

CB 22 Michael Anyanwu Sr

24 Gabriel Bryan Jr

P 63 Stephen Kotsanlee Sr

PETE RUDEN

College Football Editor, Action Network

Daily Iowan Alumnus

IOWA -25

I don’t love laying a number this big on Iowa, but this reminds me of last year’s game against Nevada when the Hawkeyes easily covered a 24.5-point spread. The Aggies rank outside the top 115 in Offensive Success Rate, Defensive Finishing Drives, and Explosiveness last season.

UNDER 43.5

I came into the week wanting to bet the over in this game due to the offensive upgrades the Hawkeyes made this past offseason, but I just can’t do it. If the Aggies get into scoring position — which isn’t a given — there’s no guarantee they’ll put up points.

LOUISVILLE

Weekly Wager

Editor

Utah State +25

It hasn’t exactly been a smooth offseason for Iowa, as prized transfers Cade McNamara, Seth Anderson, and Daijon Parker have all missed some time due to injuries. It’s also important to know that the Aggies have covered their last five games when they’re at least 25-point dogs.

UNDER 43.5

If this were a Week 3 matchup, then I’d be more inclined to take the over, but this season opener is sure to feature some rust. The Hawkeye offensive line is far from a sure thing yet, so don’t expect a complete turnaround from this newlook Iowa offense.

Each week during the Iowa football season, Daily Iowan Pregame Editor Matt McGowan and Action Network College Football Editor Pete Ruden will place three hypothetical bets of $100. The score of the contest will be kept in the piggy banks to the right and left with a winner to be declared at the end of the season.

Ruden’s 2023 record: 0-0

McGowan’s 2023 record: 0-0

For advanced analysis and statistics, read the full version of The Daily Iowan’s bettor’s guide at dailyiowan.com

Colorado

The Rams return 15 starters and arguably have the better defense than Washington State.

MATT MCGOWAN Pregame

New Cardinal QB Jack Plummer will show out in a familiar system under head coach Jeff Brohm.

The Daily Iowan’s official bettor’s guide to Iowa football’s week 1 matchup with Utah State.

McNamara conquers adversity

Iowa starting quarterback Cade McNamara faced challenges before transferring.

Matt McGowan

Pregame Editor

matthew-r-mcgowan@uiowa.edu

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara has grown up with competition.

The oldest of three brothers, McNamara has

battled with his siblings in various disciplines, whether it be football games in the basement or two-on-one wiffleball contests in the backyard of their Reno, Nevada, home.

When McNamara fully committed to playing football in high school, the sport brought on its own set of challenges, but nothing

McNamara shied away from, and more importantly, nothing he didn’t learn from during his career. Along his cross-country journey from Reno to Ann Arbor to Iowa City, McNamara has become all too familiar with adversity.

Now, with the Hawkeyes, McNamara takes on what has been a challenge — being the

next great quarterback. Yet given his history, McNamara’s confidence won’t let him back down from an uphill battle.

“I’ve always seen myself as an underdog,” McNamara said. “So I felt like I’ve always had to work harder than the next guy … whether it’s a guy in California or a nationally-ranked

Jerod Ringwald | The Daily Iowan Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara throws a pass during the Big Ten Championship game between No. 13 Iowa and No. 2 Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 4, 2021.

Earning the job, and the recognition

The signs of potential appeared early on for McNamara. In seventh grade, McNamara met with the then-head football coach of Reno’s Damonte Ranch High School, Shawn Dupris. During the session, Dupris noted that McNamara’s footwork in the pocket needed to be improved.

Two days later, the pair met again, and this time, McNamara was a different player; his step drops were completely fixed.

“I just can’t get out of my head how impressive that was at such a young age, and to get it with such proficiency as he did,” Dupris told The Daily Iowan . The following year, McNamara traveled with Damonte Ranch to seven-on-seven games. Dupris said even though McNamara didn’t yet have the arm strength to make some throws, the eighth-grader’s confidence and courage were something to behold. Dupris said McNamara showed no fear of asking questions, much less communicating with

“I’ve always seen myself as an underdog. So I felt like I’ve always had to work harder than the next guy ... whether it’s a guy in California or a nationally-ranked team ... I feel like a lot of my confidence comes from the belief of the work I’ve put in.”

Cade McNamara Iowa starting quarterback

receivers’ years older than him.

While McNamara did stand out to Dupris before his high school career had begun, he wasn’t handed the starting QB job as a freshman. Sophomore QB Drake Vestbie was coming off an all-conference season in 2014, and the pair split game reps for the first three games of the season.

Not everyone on the team was happy about McNamara getting playing time so early in his career, especially considering their close relationships with Vestbie.

“In small towns, small communities, where guys grew up together, and they all just assumed that … this guy is gonna play this and this guy’s gonna play that … so I get it as far as they didn’t want [Cade] as the starter, because they had their buddy [Vestbie] as the starter,” Dupris said.

Dupris described McNamara as a “pretty quiet guy,” someone who is “internally driven,” and therefore didn’t talk much about the team’s division. According to Dupris, McNamara’s stout determination to earn the respect of his teammates made handling the situation even more difficult.

“I think it was frustrating for him because not everybody was on the same page as him,” Dupris said. “Even though he’s only a freshman, he was, in terms of maturity, right up there with the seniors. So I think it was probably frustrating for him, for them to not give him the opportunity when he knew that he could help.”

In the third game, McNamara led a touchdown drive to cut the Mustangs’ deficit to one heading into halftime. Dupris said he had always expected McNamara to break out on the field at some point, and that September evening was the “turning point,” affirming to the coach and the whole team that “[Cade’s] the guy.”

Three years and two Gatorade State Player of the Year Awards later, McNamara graduated from Damonte Ranch as a four-star prospect and the No. 1 recruit in Nevada, holding all of his alma mater’s QB records.

team … I feel like a lot of my confidence comes from the belief of the work I’ve put in.”

Jason Bean | Reno Gazette-Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK

Damonte Ranch’s Cade McNamara (12) runs free while taking on Spanish Springs during a football game at Spanish Springs on Sept. 15, 2017.

Carly Schrum | The Daily Iowan

A fan hugs Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara during Kids’ Day at Kinnick in Iowa City on Aug. 12.

MCNAMARA

The ups and downs of the QB competition

Even though he received offers from Notre Dame, Alabama, and Georgia, McNamara committed to Michigan in March 2018 after meeting with the coaching staff and touring the campus with then-starting quarterback Shea Patterson. McNamara’s next stop would present adversity, but not at first.

After not seeing any game action in 2019, McNamara completed just four collegiate passes the following season before coming on in relief for starter Joe Milton in a Nov. 11 matchup against Rutgers.

Both teams held 1-3 records, and before an empty SHI Stadium in New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic, McNamara put on quite the show. Checking into the contest with less than four minutes to play in the first half, McNamara delivered what Wolverine head coach Jim Harbaugh called “the spark.”

Making what Harbaugh called “throws with no conscience,” McNamara ran off the field at halftime having completed 10-of-11 passes for over 100 yards and a touchdown.

“I was just doing everything I had to help the team win,” McNamara said. “I was like, ‘There’s no chance that we’re like, I’m gonna get in here and we’re gonna lose to Rutgers.’ Whoever we were playing, the competitive nature of myself [is] saying, ‘I don’t want to lose.’”

McNamara made good on his promise

as the Wolverines took home the victory in triple overtime. He finished with a 75 percent completion percentage, the highest in Michigan’s history among QBs with at least 36 pass attempts.

The next season featured a lot more wins for McNamara, now the full-time starter in the Maize and Blue. The Wolverines finished with a 12-2 record, a Big Ten title victory over Iowa, and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.

The 2022 season may as well have been deja vu for McNamara. With sophomore J.J. McCarthy emerging as a starting candidate, the pair split reps during the first three games of the season. McNamara said on the QB Room Podcast that Harbaugh told the team of the decision to have two starting quarterbacks the day after the then-junior was named a team captain.

“Some stuff is going on, talk around the team stuff, stuff that I just won’t get into,” McNamara said regarding his final year in Ann Arbor.

That third contest against Connecticut was once again a turning point, but this time pointed in the wrong direction.

McNamara suffered an injury to his right MCL during that game and never played again that season, as McCarthy led the Wolverines to another CFP appearance. Two years removed from leading a heroic comeback, McNamara was stranded on the sidelines.

That injury was a revealing experience for McNamara, who alleges that the MRI scan of his knee revealed a tear in his patellar tendon, which he claimed he suffered in a 2021 contest

against Michigan State.

According to the quarterback, the Michigan medical staff told him that he didn’t need surgery on his knee, and should resume practicing. McNamara sought a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, who advised an operation.

After undergoing surgery on his right knee in November 2022, McNamara announced his transfer to Iowa just one month later.

Making a vocal impression

Unlike at his previous two stops, Iowa City won’t feature any quarterback competition, as Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz said there would be “no debate” that McNamara would be the starter.

During the 25 years of Ferentz’s tenure as Iowa head coach, the Hawkeyes have seen just four quarterbacks—Drew Tate (twice), C.J. Beathard, Ricky Stanzi, and Jake Rudock— who have posted a season tossing 2,400 or more passing yards with a completion percentage north of 60 percent. During the 2021 regular season, McNamara threw 2,470 yards to the tune of a 64.6 completion percentage and 15 passing touchdowns.

Yet for McNamara, it’s not just the statistics that define a quarterback’s success. In his first media availability back in March, the 23-yearold was more cognizant of the intangibles.

“I definitely want to be a primary team leader, because that comes with playing the quarterback position,” McNamara said. “If you’re not a leader in some way as a quarterback, I think you just have to be. That just

comes with the job.”

Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is also aware of such a responsibility and has been “thoroughly impressed” with how McNamara has been able to earn his teammates’ respect.

As for the type of leader he is, McNamara considers himself a vocal one — someone who isn’t afraid to tell the offense what to do but also won’t hesitate to talk smack to the defense, even if that means creating friendly banter with his fellow Hawkeyes.

Hawkeye backup quarterback Deacon Hill jokingly recalled how a long McNamara pass often results in him trash-talking cornerback Cooper DeJean, linebackers Nick Jackson and Kyler Fisher, but especially defensive end and close friend Joe Evans, who assured the talk is “all fun and games”

Fellow Hawkeye quarterback Joey Labas confirmed Hill’s analysis, saying McNamara’s talk on the field is “nothing I could repeat.”

McNamara said he didn’t learn how to trash talk from anyone else but rather “developed that skill” by himself. Dupris remembers McNamara constantly going back and forth with the Mustangs’ defensive backs’ coach, as well as a seven-on-seven scrimmage occurring shortly after McNamara had committed to Michigan.

Donning a Michigan hat and Michigan shoes, the quarterback received some flak from his California opponents. Dressed like he was already playing in Michigan Stadium, the defenders reminded McNamara he hadn’t even played a snap for the Wolverines, and instead looked like a cocky teenager.

from 5

Jerod Ringwald | The Daily Iowan Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy stiff arms Iowa’s Kaveon Merriweather during the Big Ten Championship game between No. 13 Iowa and No. 2 Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on Dec. 4, 2021. The Wolverines became Big Ten Champions after defeating the Hawkeyes, 42-3.

Jerod Ringwald | The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive lineman Joe Evans pressures Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford during a football game between No. 3 Iowa and No. 4 Penn State at Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 9, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions, 23-20.

But when the clock hit zero and the score was in Damonte Ranch’s favor, McNamara “let them know.” High schooler or not, the quarterback took the insults head on, letting the comments fuel his play.

“I think [trash talking] is just a part of the game that I enjoy, whether it’s football, baseball, or anything,” McNamara said. “Like, whenever I’m competing, I’m usually talking, so in a way, sometimes it’ll make me play better. And then hopefully, I can get my opponent upset, but for the most part, it makes it more fun for me.”

Another way McNamara creates more excitement for himself is through interpersonal competition, no matter how spontaneous it may be. Dupris recalls a football fundraising event morphing into a one-on-one hoops battle between him and his starting quarterback, each of them sporting flip-flops.

Tight end Erick All played with McNamara at Michigan for three seasons before arriving at Iowa City this fall. Now in the same uniform once again, the pair is quite similar to the McNamara brothers, competing in nearly every aspect of practice.

“Getting to the first stretching position first,” All said, calling McNamara “one of the highest-competing dudes I know.”

“We get onto the little foam rollers, we get into a bunch of different positions, and we’d race to see who gets to which position,” All said.

McNamara said he doesn’t bring up his accomplishments in a comparative manner to his teammates, but maintained that the team has its objectives “laid out in front of us.” One of those goals: “win every single game we play.”

Based on his past experiences, McNamara knows that success doesn’t come easy. Instead, the path to football glory is littered with potholes. McNamara already hit a roadblock in fall camp after he suffered a soft tissue injury to his right knee on Aug. 12, costing him two weeks of practice time.

According to Kirk Ferentz, McNamara has the “mental toughness” to progress from the setback and is “wired” to overcome adversity.

Having taken on these roadblocks is one thing, but for McNamara, learning from them is a far greater reward.

“I went through a lot of adversity recently within my last year, but no one can prepare for what’s to come,” McNamara said. “The only thing I can do is to expect it, and when it comes, do everything I can to get through it.”

Cody Blissett | The Daily Iowan

Iowa quarterbacks Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill interact during Iowa football media day in Iowa City on Aug. 11.

Working behind the plays

Jon Budmayr fulfills an unsung role in the Iowa offense as a senior special assistant.

Kenna Roering Sports Editor mckenna-roering@uiowa.edu

It’s safe to say Iowa starting quarterback Cade McNamara wouldn’t be a Hawkeye right now without Jon Budmayr.

Budmayr was an Iowa offensive analyst last season after spending 2021 as the offensive coordinator for Colorado State. This year, he was named the Hawkeyes’ senior special assistant to the head coach.

Before Colorado State, Budmayr spent six years with Wisconsin, starting as a graduate assistant and working his way up to the quarterbacks coach.

As the Badgers’ QB coach, Budmayr was impressed by McNamara’s accuracy and release, and in May 2017, offered the Reno, Nevada, native his first Power 5 scholarship.

Although McNamara wound up going to Michigan after graduating from Damonte Ranch High School, Budmayr said the pair’s relationship stayed intact.

So when McNamara entered the transfer portal in December 2022, Budmayr had another shot at picking up the 6-foot-1 spearhead of the Wolverines’ 2021 College Football Playoff squad. For McNamara, his familiarity with Budmayr created a smoother transition.

“I knew I could trust him,” McNamara said of Budmayr. “The whole situation and scenario that he was able to present to me at Iowa — after doing a little more research, it seemed like the perfect fit. We already have really good chemistry, and I’m able to talk to him about anything.”

As senior special assistant to the head coach, Budmayr isn’t allowed to coach skill instruction or technique to players, according to his contract agreement signed on Dec. 5.

Budmayr said his main priorities are to “slow the game down” for the offense and put a plan in place that helps them understand the structure of the game and what they’re seeing from the defense.

“At the end of the day, it’s [the players’] job to distribute and get the ball to the playmakers,” Budmayr said. “And it’s our job to get them to do that as efficiently as possible and then let them play to their strengths.”

Because Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz doesn’t specialize in quarterbacks, Budmayr’s focus has mainly been on the QB group since he arrived in Iowa City.

Budmayr helped recruit now Iowa quarter-

back Deacon Hill to Wisconsin while coaching for the Badgers. Hill cited his relationship with Budmayr as a big reason for transferring to the Hawkeyes.

“I thought this was best for me,” Hill said after Iowa’s spring game on April 22. “I thought it was the best place for me to grow both as a person and as an athlete.”

Budmayr credits Ferentz for creating a space for open and honest discourse surrounding the offense, which has been one of the worst units in college football in recent years.

Iowa posted an 8-5 record in Budmayr’s first season and finished second in the Big Ten West, but the offense only averaged 4.2 yards per play and ranked second to last in the FBS with 251.6 yards per game.

“I walked in here and it could’ve gone one of two ways,” Budmayr said. “You can kind of be the guy who’s sitting in the back of the room and taking it in and or you can provide value, and that doesn’t happen unless you have a coordinator like Brian who’s willing to put his ego aside and say, ‘OK, I want the best for Iowa football. I want to improve. I want to find ways to improve.’”

“I knew I could trust him. The whole situation and scenario that he was able to present to me at Iowa — after doing a little more research, it seemed like the perfect fit. We already have really good chemistry, and I’m able to talk to him about anything. ”

Cade McNamara Iowa starting quarterback

Ferentz and Budmayr are well aware of the pressure they’re under this season to succeed, but they aren’t worried about the outside noise.

Instead, what means most to the duo is providing Hawkeye athletes the right tools to succeed, as well as lessons that will stay with players long after their football careers are over.

“I think if you want to be good at anything, if you want to accomplish anything, and if you want to do anything significant or meaningful,” Ferentz said, “you have to understand that there’s going to be eyes on you.”

Cody Blissett | The Daily Iowan Senior Special Assistant to the Head Coach Jon Budmayr talks to media during Iowa football media day in Iowa City on Aug. 11.

Jerod Ringwald | The Daily Iowan Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz talks with an official after Iowa celebrated a touchdown that was called back during a football game between Iowa and No. 4 Michigan at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Oct. 1, 2022.

One on One: Seth Anderson

The

Matt McGowan Pregame Editor matthew-r-mcgowan@uiowa.edu

The Daily Iowan : So I saw that your dad played in the NFL. What knowledge did he pass on to you along the way?

Seth Anderson: I mean, he’s taught me a lot about my game. He’s corrected any of the mistakes I’ve made, and he’s helped me a lot on this journey I’ve been on. So he’s been a great help to my game. And to this day, I send him clips from practice, and he’s been getting me right.

DI: I saw he played for the [Los Angeles] Rams. Do you still root for them?

Anderson: Yeah, I root for them.

DI: Your dad also has the record for most receiving yards in an NFL game. Does he ever hold that over you?

Anderson: No, but I’m definitely striving for it. I mean, that’s definitely something in the future — I would love to be the one to break that, so that’d be crazy.

DI: You wrestled while in high school. What weight did you wrestle at, and what was your go-to move?

Anderson: I was at 172, and my go-to move, I would have to say, was the double-leg takedown. But if I’m in the top position, my go-to would be, like, a chop to the arm and do a little ball and chain, and I get it right every time.

DI : Iowa has quite the wrestling program. Have you gone to any meets already?

Anderson: I went to one. They wrestled Michigan or Michigan State, and it was crazy, like they had the fire blowing while doing the intros and everything, and I loved it. It was a great atmosphere.

DI: Just getting to know you a little more; where do you think is the best place you’ve traveled to so far?

Anderson: Probably Jamaica. The water was clear, it was great weather, and our resort was nice.

DI: What did you do while you were out there?

Anderson: I swam with the dolphins for a little bit and got to ride on some jet skis. It was a while ago, I think for my sister’s wedding or something.

DI: Did swimming with dolphins scare you at all?

Anderson: Nah, I actually like dolphins. They’re pretty cool.

DI: It sounds like you’re a fan of animals. Do you have a favorite?

Anderson: I’d have to say a tiger, like a white tiger because they’re pretty unique. I’m pretty sure they’re the only cats that actually like swimming in water.

DI: Being a fan [of animals], do you have any pets?

Anderson: Yeah, I got dogs, cats, a fish, and a lizard.

DI: Sounds like you got quite the zoo going on.

Anderson: Basically. We have three English chow dogs, and they’re pretty big in size but friendly at the same time.

: What are their names?

Anderson: One female named Sasha and then two males named Cain and Dexter.

: What was a story you remember from your vacation to California this summer [with Hawkeye teammates]?

Anderson: We went surfing. [It was] my first time surfing.

DI: How’d you do?

Anderson: I got up a couple times. I didn’t want to do too many because I’m here to play football.

DI: Who’s the best basketball player on the team?

Anderson: Just from what I’ve seen, probably [tight end] Luke Lachey.

Find more online

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Read the full interview at dailyiowan.com.

#6 Seth Anderson Sophomore Wide Reciever 6 feet Suwanee, GA

Daily Iowan Pregame Editor Matt McGowan spoke with the Hawkeye wide reciever at Iowa football’s media day Aug. 11.

Friday | 6 p.m. |

Central Michigan (0-0, 0-0)

Michigan State (0-0, 0-0)

Spartan Stadium

East Lansing, MI

Game Guide

Colin Votzmeyer Assistant Sports Editor

As the Spartans fall further away from relevancy, it looks like the Chippewas might be a better fit for their in-state rival. Maybe we’re in for a good game.

Line: Michigan State -14 | O/U: 45.5

Saturday | 11 a.m. |

East Carolina (0-0, 0-0)

No. 2 Michigan (0-0, 0-0)

Michigan Stadium

Ann Arbor, MI

This is a game for potential Heisman winner J.J. McCarthy to play a few snaps and comfortably watch the rest from the sideline. Let him get his arm loose.

Line: Michigan -36 | O/U: 51.5

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

No. 3 Ohio State (0-0, 0-0)

Indiana (0-0, 0-0)

Memorial Stadium

Bloomington, IN

This game matters more than it might seem because Kyle McCord and Devin Brown will be duking it out for the starting job. Tune into this one ... for the first quarter.

Line: Ohio State -30 | O/U: 59

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Towson (0-0, 0-0)

Maryland (0-0, 0-0)

SECU Stadium

College Park, MD

Where is Towson? What is a Towson Tiger? All these questions Maryland will likely answer for them this weekend.

Line: NA | O/U: NA

PENN STATE

Saturday | 11 a.m. |

Utah State (0-0, 0-0) No. 25 Iowa (0-0, 0-0)

Kinnick Stadium

Iowa City, Iowa

This is Cade McNamara and Co.’s chance to prove they belong in the Big Ten Championship conversation. But they’ve got to steamroll the Aggies to do so.

Line: Iowa -25 | O/U: 43.5

WEEK ONE

Power Rankings

1. Michigan

A Heisman trophy could return to Ann Arbor this year.

2. Ohio State

The Buckeyes don’t have a set starting quarterback. It won’t matter.

3. Penn State

The Nittany Lions are consistently a top 10 team.

4. Wisconsin

Saturday | 6:30 p.m. |

West Virginia (0-0, 0-0)

No. 7 Penn State (0-0, 0-0)

Beaver Stadium

University Park, PA

A contest with the Mountaineers will help the Nittany Lions identify what they need to tweak before taking on Iowa in Week 4. That means their offense needs to be sharp.

Line: Penn State -20.5 | O/U: 49.5

Saturday | 11 a.m. |

Fresno State (0-0, 0-0)

Purdue (0-0, 0-0)

Ross-Ade Stadium

West Lafayette, IN

I know Purdue wants to beef up its record early on, but the Boilermakers will be lucky to be .500 halfway through the season.

Line: Purdue -4 | O/U: 47.5

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Buffalo (0-0, 0-0)

No. 19 Wisconsin (0-0, 0-0)

Camp Randall Stadium

Madison, WI

A lot of people are excited to see what these new-look Badgers can do, but consider this one a preseason game. I’ll put the O/U on Tanner Mordecai’s snap total at 25.

Line: Wisconsin -28 | O/U: 54

Saturday | 6:30 p.m. |

Toledo (0-0, 0-0)

Illinois (0-0, 0-0)

Memorial Stadium

Champaign, IL

This will be a close one, but I know you skipped right over the where and when to watch. I would too.

Line: Illinois -9.5 | O/U: 46

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin offense give Badger fans high expectations.

5. Iowa

Top ten defense and special teams, but a lot of weight rests on the offense.

6. Illinois

The Illini defense is so good, but it can’t backpack a junior varsity offense.

7. Maryland

Taulia Tagovailoa is a sleeper quarterback in the Big Ten.

8. Minnesota

The Golden Gophers can contend, but they’ll have something to prove

9. Michigan State

Not many are confident Mel Tucker can turn the Spartans around.

10. Purdue

The reigning Big Ten West champs regressed.

11. Nebraska

Matt Rhule has a shaky track record in the sport of football.

12. Rutgers

Sunday | 11 a.m. |

Northwestern (0-0, 0-0)

Rutgers (0-0, 0-0)

SHI Stadium

Piscataway, NJ

Not the kind of football that fans enjoy waking up to on Sundays, but I guess it’ll do.

Line: Rutgers -6.5 | O/U: 39.5

The Scarlet Knights will be below .500 this year.

13. Indiana

I forgot Indiana had a football team.

14. Northwestern

There’s an elephant in the room.

On The Line

The Daily Iowan staff share their predictions and thoughts on this week’s upcoming games.

Bohnenkamp Sports Writing Coach

IOWA

IOWA

IOWA

IOWA

IOWA

IOWA

IOWA

VS

I’m way more scared of Jack Rabbits than Aggies.

LSU

Blocked extra point?

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

TCU

Remember 1990? My folks were in high school back then. Crazy.

NORTH CAROLINA

Wasn’t Spencer Rattler supposed to be the next Pat Mahomes?

LOUISVILLE

There’s no way the Cardinals can be as bad as they were in basketball last year. Right?

UTSA

My twin brother hates Houston, so I guess I’ll support him.

Iowa’s defense is too good to lose Saturday, no matter how the offense plays.

LSU

I’m not sure that the Seminoles can handle the expectations.

TCU Colorado players have their social media handles on the backs of their jerseys.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The Gamecocks haven’t dropped a game in Charlotte.

GEORGIA TECH

Always rooting for an upset.

UTSA

The Roadrunners will get revenge from last season in another offensive shootout.

As long as they don’t run the ball on third and long.

LSU

Florida State always dissapoints.

COLORADO

Prime talked himself up so much that he cannot lose.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The Tar Heels will start looking forward to basketball soon.

GEORGIA TECH

Yellow Jackets is a tough name.

UTSA

I don’t think anyone outside of Texas will watch this game anyways.

The Hawks will set the tone of their season in this game. Hopefully for the best.

FLORIDA STATE

With some injuries and suspensions on LSU’s side, I’m rocking with the Seminoles.

TCU Love Coach Prime, but TCU is still fresh off national title contention.

NORTH CAROLINA

Give me UNC on the “heels” of Drake Maye.

LOUISVILLE

Louisville had a strong defense last year, and I think that will win them this game.

UTSA

I think the Roadrunners’ offense shines against the Cougars. Meep-meep.

McNamara or not, Hawks win.

LSU

Jaden Daniels: Early Heisman pick.

TCU

The Louis Vuitton luggage won’t be enough.

NORTH CAROLINA

Drake Maye outduels Spencer Rattler in a shootout.

LOUISVILLE

I don’t know a good Georgia Tech player since Calvin Johnson.

HOUSTON

I have a 15-year dynasty with Houston on NCAA 14. Go Cougs.

It will be a much better offense this season. Trust me.

Iowa is a lock to win and score more than 25 points. Some might even bet on it.

FLORIDA

STATE

Best matchup of the weekend goes to the Seminoles.

TCU

Coach Prime gets a Big 12 preview for next season.

SOUTH CAROLINA

I’m waiting for Darude’s “Sandstorm” appearance in Columbia later this season.

GEORGIA TECH

It’s a coin flip, so I’ll go with the home team on the neutral field.

HOUSTON

Cougars are always a fun team.

LSU

Week 1’s best game by far, and we have to wait until Sunday night.

TCU

Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes aren’t quite ready for prime time.

SOUTH CAROLINA

A rare win for the South over the North.

LOUISVILLE

Hawkeyes are just happy Jeff Brohm isn’t at Purdue anymore.

UTSA

If TV has taught me anything about Roadrunners, they are invincible.

Matt McGowan Pregame Editor Asst. Sports Editor Football Reporter

John

Jason Brummond Publisher

Confidence from the start

Kid Captain Gracelyn Springer had a strong mindset when facing a rare cancer.

just starting out on their treatment.”

During her treatment, Gracelyn experienced hearing loss and was treated for growth hormone deficiency — a condition in which the pituitary gland can’t make enough hormones for her to grow. Additionally, she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease that makes it harder for the heart to deliver blood to the body.

While the hospital’s goal is to grow confidence in patients that they can succeed, Dickens noted how Gracelyn walked into the door on the first day with her persistent “I can do this” attitude, even as he discussed her condition and treatment with her parents right in front of her.

“I would say that a lot of children have more adaptive competence than I think we understand or give them credit for,” Dickens said. “Gracelyn is a shining example of a group of children that can do this. Not everybody has it.”

Gracelyn’s cancer is now in remission.

Dickens credits not only the medical staff but also Gracelyn’s parents throughout the process.

“The parents who have children who can adapt like this deserve a lot of credit,” Dickens said. “They’re going through their own stressors, their own fears at the same time that they’re having to engage in the medical decision-making and guide their child through all of their fears.”

Gracelyn, now 10, will serve as the Iowa football Kid Captain in the Hawkeyes’ week one matchup with the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 2.

Although Gracelyn is nervous to be in front of thousands of fans at Kinnick Stadium, she is excited to be on the field, wave to the hospital after the first quarter, and talk to head coach Kirk Ferentz again — whom she met in her tour of the stadium earlier this year.

Colin Votzmeyer Assistant Sports Editor colin-votzmeyer@uiowa.edu

Gracelyn Springer was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare cancer typically found in the leg bones or soft tissue of the chest, abdomen, or limbs, when she was eight years old. But Gracelyn’s tumor was discovered in her head — an extremely rare case that is oftentimes fatal. Her diagnosis came in November 2020 when her left eye started to cross following a month of headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Her mother, Kelsey, brought her to the local emergency room where a CT scan revealed the mass on her brain.

David Dickens, an oncologist with University of Iowa Health Care who took over Gracelyn’s

case toward the end of her treatment, said she was “an exceptional case within our exceptional cases,” which made the decision-making difficult because there was a lack of information on how to approach it.

Gracelyn, of Alburnett, Iowa, underwent brain surgery at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital to remove the mass. She then began intense inpatient chemotherapy, which made her sick in the off weeks and required her to live in the hospital for nine months.

“You’re scared because it’s a very real possibility that you could lose your child in this situation,” Kelsey said. “Your whole life gets flipped upside down.”

“I was trying to balance making the most of every day I had with Gracelyn, trying to get smi-

les and take it all in, because at that point you don’t know if you’re going to make it through the battle or not,” added Marty Tope, Gracelyn’s father.

Kelsey and Marty’s support for Gracelyn required making her take an IV and feeding tube when she didn’t want to if it meant saving her life. But throughout the obstacles and difficult moments, Dickens noticed the positivity Gracelyn held onto.

“I’m looking at her at mile 24 and 25 [of a marathon] and what’s going through your mind mentally after you’ve already been through fairly significant physical trauma,” Dickens said. “What was striking to me at that point is that she still had the same kind of attitude and energy that you would expect of somebody who’s

Kelsey feels Gracelyn serving as Kid Captain will be a great opportunity for her to make new experiences, smile, and have a “zest for life” as she started struggling with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder after her treatment.

“From the minute she was born, she had this light about her and this spirit, and the cancer dimmed a little bit of that light,” Kelsey said. “We’re just trying to help her get it back.”

But Gracelyn is the same kid she was two years ago when she first received her diagnosis.

“She’s as spunky as she ever was, looks a bit healthier in general, but her mental attitude didn’t lose a step throughout her treatment,” Dickens said. “I think a lot of us who do this work become inspired by kids like this who can … take their adversity … and teach themselves how to bounce back.”

Carly Schrum | The Daily Iowan

Kid captain Gracelyn Springer smiles as she walks out of the Kinnick Stadium tunnel during Kids’ Day at Kinnick in Iowa City on Aug. 12.