The Daily Iowan Pregame - 09.06.19

The Daily Iowan

PREGAME SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 IOWA VS. RUTGERS KINNICK STADIUM

Onward

DAVIYON NIXON’S ROAD TO THE PLAYING FIELD AT IOWA HAS BEEN BUMPY, BUT HE’S HERE TO STAY.

2 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

REMEMBER WHEN ...

Iowa Starters WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR QB RB FB PK

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Brandon Smith Nate Wieting Tristan Wirfs Landan Paulsen Tyler Linderbaum Kyler Schott Levi Paulsen Ihmir Smith-Marsette Nate Stanley Mekhi Sargent Brady Ross Keith Duncan

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LE LT RT RE LEO MLB WLB LC SS FS RC PT

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Chauncey Golston Cedrick Lattimore Brady Reiff A.J. Epenesa Nick Niemann Kristian Welch Djimon Colbert Michael Ojemudia Geno Stone Kaevon Merriweather Matt Hankins Michael Sleep-Dalton

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Rutgers Starters

Magaret Kispert/The Daily Iowan

Iowa running back Akrum Wadley runs in for a touchdown during the Iowa-Rutgers game at High Point Solution Stadium at Piscataway on Sept. 24, 2016. The Hawkeyes will play the Scarlet Knights for the second time on Saturday.

When Iowa beat Rutgers, 14-7, on Sept. 24, 2016, the Scarlet Knights posed a surprise by fighting for the upset just one season after the Hawkeyes ran through a 12-0 regular season. The Hawkeyes held a 7-0 lead heading into the break, thanks to 36-yard touchdown from quarterback C.J. Beathard to tight end George Kittle. After a scoreless third quarter, the Scarlet Knights tied the game on Andre Patton’s 14-yard touchdown catch. Then, Iowa safety Brandon Snyder came up in the clutch by stripping the ball from the arms of Patton with just fewer than nine minutes remaining. The turnover set up a 26-yard scamper by running back Akrum Wadley, which put the Hawkeyes on top for good.

Wadley led the way on the ground for the Hawkeye offense, posting 84 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, and fellow running back LeShun Daniels followed with 13 carries for 77 yards. Kittle finished the game with 2 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown, while Beathard completed 12 of his 23 pass attempts for 162 yards and a score. Beathard also added 37 yards on the ground. On the defensive side of the ball, Parker Hesse and Matt Nelson each recorded 2 sacks.

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STAFF

Pregame Editors: Pete Ruden, Asst. Anna Kayser Sports Editors: Anna Kayser, Asst. Robert Read Photo Editors: Shivansh Ahuja, Katie Goodale TV Directors: Lucy Rohden Asst. Sports Jon Rawson Copy Chief: Beau Elliot

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71 75 55 66 54 3 2 10 18 6 15 95

Raiqwon O’Neal Zach Venesky Michael Maietti Nick Krimin Kamaal Seymour McLane Carter Raheem Blackshear Matt Alaimo Bo Melton Mohamed Jabbie Shameen Jones Justin Davidovicz

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#FR. SR. JR. JR. SR. SR. JR. #FR. JR JR. SO. JR.

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Mike Tverdov Julius Turner Willington Previlon Elorm Lumor Tyreek Maddox-Williams Tyshon Fogg Olakunle Fatukasi Avery Young Jarrett Paul Malik Dixon Damon Hayes Adam Korsak

6-4 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-1

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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 3

4 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon prepares to tackle Miami (Ohio) offensive lineman Tommy Doyle during the Iowa football game against Miami (Ohio) at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 31. The Hawkeyes defeated the Redhawks, 38-14.

Nothing easy, everything earned: Daviyon Nixon’s path to Iowa football

It’s been several years since Daviyon Nixon committed to play football at Iowa. He’s now earned a spot on the roster, but his journey since high school has been arduous and testing.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 5

BY PETE MILLS peter-mills@uiowa.edu

Daviyon Nixon has always smiled a lot, especially while playing football.

But those smiles became strained following his senior year in high school.

After the Kenosha, Wisconsin, native committed to play football at Iowa in 2017, Nixon failed to qualify for school academically, making the defensive tackle’s trail to college football longer and more difficult. He decided to take a step back and go to Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs to work on his grades and his game, with the eventual goal of transferring to Iowa.

It was a long year for Nixon, who said he received guidance and support from Hawkeye football coaches throughout the journey.

The turbulence and turmoil he experienced tested his positive attitude, but on a day late in 2017, he started smiling again. A big football school down south noticed the work he had done in Council Bluffs, and it offered him a chance to play football there. He had received the ultimate reward in college football: an offer from the University of Alabama.

“The first thing I did was get on the phone and call the coaches here at Iowa, and I told them I just got an offer from Alabama,” Nixon said. “They just said, ‘Congratulations, but we’ve been here.’ And that was true.”

His dominance interested Nick Saban and the Crimson

Tide. In Nixon’s lone year at Iowa Western, the 6-3, 309-pounder tallied 44 tackles and 5 sacks, enough to earn a second-team all-conference selection.

Iowa noticed that kind of talent far earlier than Alabama did. At Indian Trail High in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Nixon amassed firstteam all-state and first-team all-conference accolades, along with a three-star recruit rating. Iowa leaped on the opportunity and offered him a spot. But of course, anything resembling interest from Alabama tempts even the most committed recruit.

Still, though, Nixon’s eyes remained on Iowa City and completing what he had set out to do in Council Bluffs.

“He was excited,” said Scott Strohmeier, Nixo n ’ s h e a d coach at Iowa Western. “And then he was thinking, ‘Well, I’m going to open my recruitment back up.’ We sat down with him and got

The first thing I did was get on the phone and call the coaches here at Iowa, and I told them I just got an offer from Alabama. They just said, ‘Congratulations, but we’ve been here.’ And that was true.

talking to his dad and said, ‘You chose Iowa.

Why? Coaches, the program.’ It’s what he stands for, just those blue-collar, hard-nosed kids. That’s how they develop players at Iowa.

We told him, ‘Don’t get caught up just because it’s Alabama, or all those other schools that were offering. Iowa trusted in you and they’re still honoring that scholarship.’”

SEE NIXON, 6

6 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

NIXON CONTINUED FROM 5 So, he remained on his original track.

Nixon’s stint in Council Bluffs was partially documented by the Netflix series Last Chance U. The show highlights junior colleges across the country that serve as landing pads for players, like Nixon, who face behavioral or academic challenges.

In 2017, the show followed Independence Community College in Kansas — a team highlighted by transfers from powerhouse schools such as Florida State. It just so happened that Iowa Western faced off against Independence that year, with Nixon checking in as Iowa Western’s starting defensive tackle. Strohmeier, Nixon said, wanted nothing of it and prided himself in running an undramatic program. “[Strohmeier] was just like, ‘Let’s play for us and not for Last Chance U,’” Nixon said. “I like watching the show. It’s a good show, a lot of my teammates watch it. I said, ‘Coach, why aren’t we on Last Chance U?’ He said, ‘We don’t want to give out the drama that comes with it, and there’s no drama here.”

That same lack of drama in Council Bluffs

kept Nixon focused throughout his time there. The attitude at Iowa Western, paired with humbling facilities, kept him grounded, Nixon said.

“Going through that adversity just taught me a lot,” he said. “I learned to be humble and grateful for everything you have, honestly.

Going there, we didn’t have the best practice field. But we had a practice field to practice on. It taught me that you live and you learn, and you’ve got to be grateful for everything.”

Strohmeier is in his 10th year at Iowa Western, so he knows what comes with being a Reiver.

“I like to say we model our program like Division-1s do,” Strohmeier said. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources they have. But the thing is, I can put players out on the field and win a whole bunch of games, but if they’re not doing things the right way, they’re not making it to the next level, which ultimately is not making my program any better. I’m not very proud if I have a kid who’s that talented, and I’m not making him a better person, a better student, a better football player.”

Nixon embodied that mindset, largely

through his positive outlook. He loves playing football, Strohmeier said, and that’s what makes him a special player to coach.

That positive attitude kept him on path to get to the Division-1 level. And it’s starting to help him thrive.

After he transferred to Iowa in 2018, Nixon redshirted last season because of NCAA rules and spent time on Iowa’s practice squad.

That year on the practice squad was fairly unrewarding for Nixon. That’s why last fall, he entered the transfer portal to see if he could garner an offer and possibly leave Iowa.

Again, his journey received another wrinkle.

“I entered the transfer portal because I was having second thoughts about whether or not I wanted to be here and whether I was wanted here,” he said. “But after talking to coaches and things like that, I just knew this was always the place.”

Once he realized that, there was no looking back. Nixon had invested too many years of his life in trying to get to Iowa to be deterred, but he still relied on the same attributes to keep him going. He says the positive energy he shows, while unique for a defensive lineman, remains one of his strongest assets.

“I just bring energy,” he said. “I bring a lot of energy. A lot of people say I bring a lot of energy and a lot of happiness. I bring smiles and stuff like that, that’s my biggest thing.

Especially for the defensive line, they’re always angry. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point in playing?”

Just a few weeks ago, Nixon was formally given a spot on Iowa’s depth chart. He played his first real snap of football since Iowa Western’s bowl game in December 2017 against Miami (Ohio) on Aug. 31.

“It [had] been a long time,” he said. “Sometimes, I think like it [was] a bad thing, but really it’s a good thing. Because every day I’m coming out here, and I’m learning something new, thanks to the coaches and my teammates. I’m just getting better and better. I feel like my game has elevated even more so than being in the game. It’s just practice and repetition.”

Despite the rumors of transfer, the academic disqualification, and the Alabama offer, Iowa always lurked. Iowa offered Nixon a place before anyone else, and it was there in full support as he struggled through his lows.

All of that was an investment — the coaching staff was impressed with Nixon’s performances throughout training camp.

“Daviyon looks good,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said shortly after the team’s camp.

“He’s in good shape right now, probably the best shape he’s been in his life. He’s done a nice job.”

Nixon’s journey is a tale of personal growth. His parents, he said, helped him realize that the turbulent path to Iowa was just his own story, and that his faith and work ethic give him limitless tools to work with.

“Honestly, it’s been like reading a book,” Nixon said. “Really, you know, you go through every day, you turn [to] the next page. And the more and more you read, the more and more you learn. And the more and more you appreciate your life and the game of football.”

We didn’t have the best practice field. But we had a practice field to practice on. It taught me that you live and you learn, and you’ve got to be grateful for everything.

Katie Goodale/The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive back Daviyon Nixon runs toward Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert during Iowa football vs. Miami (Ohio) at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 31.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 7

Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon prepares to tackle Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbart during the Iowa football game against Miami (Ohio) at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 31.

The more and more you read, the more and more you learn. And the more and more you appreciate your life and the game of football.

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8 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

SCOUTING REPORT

RUTGERS

Margaret Kispert/The Daily Iowan

The Rutgers team runs onto the field during the Iowa-Rutgers game at High Point Solution Stadium at Piscataway on Sept. 24, 2016. The Hawkeyes play the Scarlet Knights for the second time on Saturday..

BY ANNA KAYSER | anna-kayser@uiowa.edu In the first Big Ten matchup of the season, Iowa takes on Rutgers in what should be a test on more of what Iowa can do internally than combating the opponent.

The Scarlet Knights won their Week 1 contest against Massachusetts, 48-21, but it didn’t come without its faults. They fell behind 21-7 in the first quarter but put up 31 in the second to erase the blow.

One of the high points of Rutgers’ game was its receiving, tallying 348 total yards on 22 catches. Although quarterback McLane Carter didn’t have a completely clean game, his poten-

67.7

McLane Carter completion percentage

tial to create major plays through the air gives Rutgers a chance against Iowa’s run defense.

Carter finished his day with a 67.7 completion percentage but threw more interceptions (3) than he did touchdowns (2).

A defensive lineman broke through his protection and pressured Carter to throw into a contested area for the first time just five minutes into the first quarter. If the Hawkeyes can pressure the Scarlet Knights in the backfield while pushing through the line to rush Carter into a decision, the defense could get some catching work in.

On the other side of the ball, Rutgers needs to shore up its run defense.

A hole on the right side of Rutgers’ line resulted in a 39-yard rushing touchdown by Massachusetts. Later in the backfield, missed

3

Carter interceptions

tackles hurt the Scarlet Knights again with another long run into the endzone for a 14-point deficit.

SEE RUTGERS, 13

10 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

IOWA HAWKEYES vs. RUT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 | K

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Nolan Donald Wes Dvorak Peyton Mansell Ryan Gersonde Tyrone Tracy Jr. Keith Duncan Nate Stanley Dane Belton Oliver Martin Jestin Jacobs Ihmir Smith-Marsette Spencer Petras Colten Rastetter Alex Padilla Matt Hankins Jack Combs Geno Stone Mekhi Sargent Caleb Shudak Connor Kapisak Michael Ojemudia Brandon Smith D.J. Johnson Henry Marchese Joe Evans Daraun McKinney Tyler Goodson Dallas Craddieth Charlie Jones Terry Roberts Ryan Schmidt Devonte Young Drew Cook John Milani Max Cooper Mike Timm Keontae Luckett Julius Brents Ivory Kelly-Martin Thomas Hartlieb Samson Evans Michael Sleep-Dalton Shadrick Byrd Kaevon Merriweather Jermari Harris Toren Young Jack Koerner Jackson Ritter Sebastian Castro Quinn Schulte Jack Campbell Djimon Colbert Riley Moss Kristian Welch Barrington Wade Brady Ross Mitch Riggs Kyler Fisher Monte Pottebaum Nate Wieting Turner Pallissard Johnny Plewa Colton Dinsdale Shaun Beyer

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5-9 6-1 6-2 6-4 5-11 5-10 6-4 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-1 5-10 5-9 5-8 6-5 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-5 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-5

IOWA

182 200 208 198 200 180 243 190 200 220 183 230 213 193 185 188 210 212 180 211 200 218 183 196 240 185 190 205 184 176 237 203 252 204 188 229 180 203 203 186 210 212 212 210 177 223 204 195 195 185 218 235 191 239 236 246 236 201 236 250 242 230 225 244

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Morton, IL Parkston, SD Belton, TX Milwaukee, WI Indianapolis, IN Weddington, NC Menomonie, WI Tampa, FL Coralville, IA Englewood, OH Newark, NJ San Rafael, CA Guttenberg, IA Greenwood Village, CO Lewisville, TX Grand Rapids, MI New Castle, PA Key West, FL Council Bluffs, IA South Windsor, CT Farmington Hills, MI Lake Cormorant, MS Indianapolis, IN Vernon Hills, IL Ames, IA River Rouge, MI Suwanee, GA St. Louis, MO Deerfield, IL Erie, PA Marion, IA Waldorf, MD Iowa City, IA Iowa City, IA Waukesha, WI Delafield, WI New London, IA Indianapolis, IN Plainfield, IL Madison, WI Crystal Lake, IL Geelong, Australia Alabaster, AL Belleville, MI Chicago, IL Madison, WI Des Moines, IA Frankfort, IL Oak Lawn, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Falls, IA Shawnee Mission, KS Ankeny, IA Iola, WI Skokie, IL Humboldt, IA West Des Moines, IA Farnhamville, IA Larchwood, IA Rockford, IL Frankfort, IL Franklin, WI Reinbeck, IA Shellsburg, IA

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Dillon Doyle Seth Benson Joe Ludwig Tommy Kujawa Logan Klemp Noah Feldman Nick Anderson Bryce Schulte Nick Niemann Louie Stec Jackson Subbert Amani Jones Spencer Daufeldt Matt Fagan Daviyon Nixon Luke Empen Yahweh Jeudy Nick DeJong Clayton Thurm Chauncey Golston Taylor Fox Nathan Nelson Noah Fenske Cole Banwart Justin Britt Kyler Schott Tyler Linderbaum Levi Paulsen Dalles Jacobus Landan Paulsen Tyler Endres Kyle Sorensen Mark Kallenberger Coy Kirkpatrick Cody Ince Tristan Wirfs Austin Schulte Jeff Jenkins Ezra Miller Alaric Jackson Jack Plumb Josiah Miamen Desmond Hutson Ben Subbert Calvin Lockett Alec Kritta Sam LaPorta Austin Spiewak Logan Lee Nate Vejvoda Javon Foy Jackson Frericks Nico Ragaini Taajhir McCall Brady Reiff John Waggoner Jake Karchinski A.J. Epenesa Cedrick Lattimore Lucas Amaya Zach VanValkenburg Chris Reames Noah Shannon

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6-3 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-2 5-11 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-5 5-11 6-6 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-1

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Iowa City, IA Sioux Falls, SD Middleton, WI Greendale, WI Jewell, IA West Liberty, IA Waukee, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Sycamore, IL La Grange Park, IL Williamsburg, IA Chicago, IL West Liberty, IA Council Bluffs, IA Kenosha, WI Clinton, IA Pompano Beach, FL Pella, IA Williamsburg, IA Detroit, MI Winthrop, IA Waukee, IA New Hampton, IA Ottosen, IA Indianapolis, IN Coggon, IA Solon, IA Moville, IA Palo, IA Moville, IA Norwalk, IA Waukee, IA Bettendorf, IA Madrid, IA Luck, WI Mount Vernon, IA Pella, IA Crystal Lake, IL Holstein, IA Detroit, MI Green Bay, WI Dunlap, IL Raytown, MO Williamsburg, IA Largo, FL St. Charles, IL Highland, IL Rolling Meadows, IL Orion, IL Homer Glen, IL Coal Valley, IL Cedar Falls, IA East Haven, CT Pensacola, FL Parkston, SD West Des Moines, IA De Pere, WI Edwardsville, IL Redford, MI Muskego, WI Zeeland, MI Van Meter, IA Montgomery, IL

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 11

TGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

KINNICK STADIUM | 11:05 AM | FS1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 35 36 37 40 40 41 42 43 44

Isaih Pacheco RB Raheem Blackshear RB Avery Young DB McLane Carter QB Olakunle Fatukasi LB Tim Barrow DB Aaron Young RB Paul Woods WR Kessawn Abraham DB Rashawn Battle LB Mohamed Jabbie WR Elorm Lumor DL Hunter Hayek WR Artur Sitkowski QB Tyshon Fogg LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams LB Tyler Hayek WR Matt Alaimo TE Zukudo Igwenagu LB Johnathan Lewis TE Drew Singleton LB Jalen Jordan WR Christian Izien DB Prince Taylor WR Everett Wormley WR Shameen Jones WR Cole Snyder QB Deion Jennings LB Johnny Langan QB Zamir Mickens DB Bo Melton WR Austin Albericci QB Elijah Barnwell RB Eddie Lewis WR Tre Avery DB Damon Hayes DB Kay'Ron Adams RB Donald Williams DB Naijee Jones DB Jarrett Paul DB CJ Onyechi LB Kobe Marfo DB Aslan Pugh LB Lawrence Stevens DB Chris Conti LB Johnny Yorey LB Rani Abdulaziz DB Parker Day RB Malik Dixon S Jonathan Pimentel TE Anthony Marshall DB Darius Gooden DB TJ Robinson DB Nihym Anderson LB Joseph Hayford RB Jack Quander LB Jake Malaney TE Chike Nwankwo LB Brian Ugwu LB

RUTGERS 5-11 5-9 6-0 6-3 6-1 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-3 5-9 6-5 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-5 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-3 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-0 5-8 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-8 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-1 5-8 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-3

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Vineland, NJ Warminster, PA Coatesville, PA Gilmer, TX Far Rockaway, NY Staten Island, NY Coatesville, PA Buffalo, NY Brooklyn, NY Greentown, PA Monmouth Junction, NJ Piscataway, NJ Wayne, NJ Old Bridge, NJ Baltimore, MD Erial, NJ Wayne, NJ Paramus, NJ Worcester, MA East Orange, NJ Union City, NJ Philadelphia, PA Brooklyn, NY Hackensack, NJ Burlington, NJ Bronx, NY Lakewood, NY Sicklerville, NJ Wayne, NJ East Orange, NJ Mays Landing, NJ Closter, NJ Piscataway, NJ New York, NY Baltimore, MD Upper Marlboro, MD Warren, OH Camden, NJ Erial, NJ Brooklyn, NY West Orange, NJ Alexandria, VA Wilmington, DE Lawrenceville, NJ Wyckoff, NJ Warren, NJ Roseland, NJ Toms River, NJ Port Charlotte, FL Manalapan, NJ Middlesex, NJ Newark, NJ Riverview, FL Vineland, NJ Spotswood, NJ Nokesville, VA El Dorado Hills, CA Bridgewater, NJ Hillside, NJ

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Jamree Kromah Brandon Myers Matt Gibney Brendan Shank Billy Taylor Ryan Cassidy Kyle Penniston Julius Turner Owen Bowles Jamaal Beaty Kamaal Seymour Michael Maietti Austin Rosa Micah Clark Donato Crisanti Zach Miseo Jaohne Duggan Mohamed Toure CJ Hanson Drew Bethke Omari Cooper Mike Lonsdorf Matthew Sportelli Jim Onulak Jason Lavigna Nick Krimin Reggie Sutton Raiqwon O'Neal Manny Taylor Sam Howson Zach Venesky Matt Rosso Sam Vretman Liam Flite Anton Oskarsson Monterio Hunt Rich McDonald Christian Dremel Isaiah Washington Cole Murphy Daevon Robinson Matt Thomas Cooper Heisey John Guaimano Stanley King Brendan Bordner Freddie Recio David Broncati Tijaun Mason Jason Griggs Adam Korsak Devin Baldwin Justin Davidovicz Willington Previlon Guy Fava Mike Tverdov Robin Jutwreten Malachi Burby

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6-3 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-1 5-10 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-1 6-0 5-10 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-5 6-1 6-1 6-4 5-9 6-5 6-1 6-4 6-5 6-2

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Upper Marlboro, MD Bridgewater, NJ Wood-Ridge, NJ Franklin, NJ Parsippany, NJ Mount Laurel, NJ Orange, CA Meridian, MS Galloway, NJ Cliffwood, NJ Brooklyn, NY West Orange, NJ Reading, PA Cliffwood, NJ North Haven, CT Bridgewater, NJ Bethlehem, PA Pleasantville, NJ Jackson, NJ Furlong, PA San Diego, CA Bound Brook, NJ Wayne, NJ Belmar, NJ Holland, NJ South Amboy, NJ Towson, MD Conway, SC Philadelphia, PA Sparta, NJ Peckville, PA Fairless Hills, PA Upplands Vasby, Sweden Blackwood, NJ Kumla, Sweden Walnut, MS Sparta, NJ Caldwell, NJ Jacksonville, FL Olathe, KS Medford, NJ Brooklyn, NY Scotch Plains, NJ Cedar Grove, NJ Camden, NJ Columbus, OH Union, NJ Stamford, CT Memphis, TN Highland Park, NJ Melbourne, Australia Southfield, MI Bridgewater, NJ Orange, NJ Mahwah, NJ Union, NJ Stockholm, Sweden Berlin, CT

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 13

5.4

253

57

5.5

Opponents’ yards per carry

Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan

Yards on Pacheco’s longest touchdown

Receiving yards

by Blackshear and Melton

Yards per catch allowed

Rutgers head coach Chris Ash speaks during the second day of Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago on July 19.

RUTGERS CONTINUED FROM 8

Iowa’s run game breaking through the line is going to be important to manufacture long runs. When the backs get through, the run defense is light enough to rack up some yards on a single run.

The Minutemen averaged 5.4 yards per rush on the game and finished with 183 total yards on 34 attempts.

On the flip side, Rutgers had some

long runs of its own, opting to take routes around the line instead of through.

Isaih Pacheco is the Scarlet Knights’ main running weapon and someone the Hawkeye line will have to keep an eye on.

He broke open for a 57-yard touchdown run and finished the day with 156 yards.

His average was three yards over Rutgers’ team total of 4.8, and only 40 net rushing yards came from the rest of the

roster.

In the passing game, good things happened when Carter placed the ball in his own teammates’ arms against Massachusetts.

The Scarlet Knights averaged 10.9 yards per pass and 15.8 yards per catch, and on the other side of the ball, their pass defense held strong, allowing just 3.3 yards per pass and 5.5 yards per catch.

They have two major passing targets

in Raheem Blackshear and Bo Melton, who tallied 126 and 127 yards, respectively. Melton averaged 21.2 yards per catch while Blackshear averaged 14.0, and they each had a touchdown.

Outside of their two major playmakers, the Scarlet Knights have options to create long receptions when they’re in need of a first down. Rutgers converted half of their third down attempts to continue to move the ball downfield.

14 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

ON THE LINE Matchups

Pete Ruden

Anna Kayser

Robert Read

Pete Mills

Lucy Rohden

Jon Rawson

Jason Brummond

PREGAME EDITOR (3-2)

SPORTS EDITOR (4-1)

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR (2-3)

FOOTBALL REPORTER (2-3)

DITV DIRECTOR (4-1)

ASST. DITV SPORTS DIRECTOR (4-1)

PUBLISHER (3-2)

No. 20 Iowa vs.

Rutgers

IOWA Iowa >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New Jersey

IOWA A Week 2 Big Ten game?

We’re really living in 2019.

IOWA Playing Rutgers is basically a free conference win.

IOWA The enthusiasm is high right now, which should scare you.

IOWA I mean c’mon.

IOWA Rutgers’ best athletic feat is their back-to-back powerboating championships of 1933 and 1934. Google it.

IOWA I’m not ready for Big Ten games yet. Neither is Rutgers.

No. 9 Texas vs.

No. 6 LSU

LSU My first comment about this before I was forced to change it was definitely not about the teams’ rankings.

LSU Matthew McConaughey is a professor at Texas, and it’s still not enough.

LSU Is Texas back? Will people ever stop asking this question?

TEXAS Someone told me Texas is back? I feel bad going against Ed Orgeron but can’t argue with Matthew McConaughey.

LSU I keep forgetting Texas is relevant again.

LSU Coach O’s voice is as rough as his team. #BayouBengals

TEXAS Professor McConaughey cancels class on Monday.

Miami vs. North Carolina

MIAMI There’s a legitimate hurricane closing in right now. It’s a sign.

MIAMI I can’t even make a Hurricane joke.

NORTH CAROLINA Has The U tried to trademark “The” as well?

NORTH CAROLINA Texas is back, and so is Mack Brown!

MIAMI I feel like Pete’s intentionally picking UNC games to make me mad. #GTHC

MIAMI Miami is an awful place to raise a family, but a great place to raise a football team.

MIAMI Probably not the two cleanest programs in the country.

Arkansas State vs. UNLV

UNLV Assuming the Rebels don’t hit the Strip on Friday night.

UNLV I’m not gonna Rebel and pick Arkansas State. (Ha, get it?)

UNLV I’m going to gamble on UNLV.

UNLV I heard Iowa City is being called “The Las Vegas of the Midwest.” So, I guess we all go to UNLV now.

ARKANSAS STATE Surprised College GameDay won’t be there for this one.

ARKANSAS STATE I had a dynasty with the Red Wolves once in NCAA Football 14. I led them to the Sun Belt Conference title.

UNLV What channel is this game on?

MINNESOTA Paul George played at Fresno State, and we’re still not on good terms.

Go Pacers.

MINNESOTA Row your boat straight to irrelevancy, Gophers.

MINNESOTA Hopefully the boat doesn’t sink.

MINNESOTA Why is this game being played at Fresno State?

MINNESOTA Would it be an OTL if I didn’t confess my love for P.J. Fleck?

FRESNO STATE I turned a Magic 8-Ball for this game. It came up with “I don’t care.”

MINNESOTA Because Minnesota looked so good against South Dakota State.

Minnesota vs.

Fresno State

6 S Dubuque Street

Almost as cheap as drinking at a house party!

BEST COLLEGE BAR IN THE STATE OF IOWA!

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 15

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16 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

ONE ON ONE WITH TOREN YOUNG DI Pregame Editor Pete Ruden caught up with Iowa running back Toren Young to talk about Al Green, basketball, and Madden.

The Daily Iowan: If you could have one animal as a pet, what would it be?

Toren Young: Wild animals — I’m afraid of wild animals, so I wouldn’t want anything crazy like a tiger or a lion — nothing like that.

Probably got to go with just a dog. Simple.

DI: If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Young: Wow, that’s a tough question. It would probably be a song by Al Green.

I’m a big Al Green fan. I don’t know which song it would be, but it would definitely be a song by Al Green.

DI: What’s the worst part about your diet during the football season?

Young: We get a lot of dessert up there, and I’m not able to take it. Apple pies, chocolate cakes, things like that. I got to leave it alone.

DI: If you could start a basketball starting five with your teammates, who would be on it?

Young: I’m going to put Alaric Jackson — he’s going to play the five… Then, I’m going to go to Kaevon [Merriweather], he’ll play the one. The two, I’m going to put Geno Stone. Three, that’s tough. I don’t know who I’m going to put at three. I’ll put myself at three, and I’m going to put Cedrick Lattimore at the four.

DI: Can Geno shoot?

Young: Yeah, Geno’s got a nice little shot.

DI: What’s your favorite video game of all time?

Young: I’m a big Madden fan, and I pretty much play the new one whenever it comes out. Big Madden guy. Not a specific year. Pretty much like them all when they come out.

DI: You get Madden 20 yet?

Young: Not yet. I’m thinking next month I’ll probably get it.

DI: What’s your favorite athletic clothing brand?

Young: I kind of mix them all. I pretty much like them all. I don’t got one specific one that I like.

DI: Who’s winning the Super Bowl this year?

Young: I’m a big Chicago Bears fan. Last year, we were close.

I’m going with the Bears. Shoutout James Daniels.

DI: What’s your dream job outside of football?

Young: I kind of have two. I would love to be an actor, acting in movies — that’d be super cool. I’d like to start my own nonprofit that creates opportunities for youth athletes in areas — like back in Madison where I’m from. That’d be pretty cool.

DI: Do you have any secret talents that no one really knows about?

Young: I like to think I can sing. Half the people might say I can sing a little bit, half the people might say I can’t, but I believe I can sing.

DI: What’s your most prized possession?

Young: That’s tough. That’s real tough. I’d have to go with my headphones because I love music. No matter what the vibe is, I can just always put my headphones in and just kind of unwind and relax.

DI: What’s the most recent show you watched on Netflix?

Young: I know it’s an older show, but I started watching Breaking Bad. I’m hooked on that. That’s a good one.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 17

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18 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

BIG TEN MATCHUPS More football, please.

Robert Read

robert-read@uiowa.edu

Rutgers vs. No. 20 Iowa 11:00 a.m. | FS1 Iowa looks to move to 2-0 on the season against a Big East foe. Wait, Rutgers is in the Big Ten now. We can pretend they are not.

Cincinnati vs. No. 5 Ohio State

11 a.m. | ABC Justin Fields looked impressive in his Buckeye debut. Let’s see how he does against an opponent other than Florida Atlantic.

Army vs. No. 7 Michigan

11 a.m. | FOX Both teams were among college football’s best defensively last season, so Jim Harbaugh’s golden-boy quarterback will be put to the test. Army took Oklahoma to overtime last season — could an upset be brewing in the Big House?

No. 25 Nebraska vs. Colorado

2:30 p.m. | FOX Will this be the game where Scott Frost’s dynasty and culture change really starts to take over? It’s supposed to at some point, right?

Illinois vs. Connecticut

2:30 p.m. | CBSSN The Illini won a game in Week 1. Good for them.

Wins will be hard to come by for Illinois the rest of the season.

Eastern Illinois vs. Indiana No. 21 Syracuse vs. Maryland

11 a.m. | ESPN Will Maryland top the 79 points they put up in the opener? No, it will not.

Vanderbilt vs. Purdue

11 a.m. | BTN Purdue was one of only two Big Ten teams to open their season with a loss (looking at you, Northwestern). Rondale Moore is one of the best players in the conference, but that didn’t stop the Boilermakers from losing to Nevada. Side note, Purdue lost to a Mountain West team to open the season but dismantled Ohio State last season.

Central Michigan vs. No. 17 Wisconsin

2:30 p.m. | BTN The over/under for Jonathan Taylor touchdowns in this game will be set at roughly 5.5. Taylor has more than 4,000 rushing yards in his college career and should be running all over the field again in this one.

2:30 p.m. | BTN The Eastern Illinois head coach used to coach at Northwestern, so he is very used to beating up on Indiana. Might be tougher at Eastern Illinois, however.

Buffalo vs. No. 15 Penn State

6:30 p.m. | FOX Will Penn State top the 79 points it scored in the opener? Well, it has a better shot than Maryland.

This game has a very good chance of getting ugly.

Western Michigan vs. No. 19 Michigan State

6:30 p.m. | BTN Michigan State gets a night game at home against an in-state rival. Just not the in-state rival anyone actually wants to see it play.

Minnesota vs. Fresno State

9:30 p.m. | CBSSN Minnesota narrowly avoided being upset in Week 1. Can the Gophers win in a less dramatic fashion in Week 2? The bigger question is: will you stay up to find out?

POWER RANKINGS 1) Ohio State The Buckeyes will be No. 1 until they figure out which mediocre Big Ten team they want to lose to this season.

2) Michigan Can we skip to Week 4 when the Wolverines play Wisconsin?

3) Penn State I still can’t believe Trace McSorely isn’t a Nittany Lion anymore.

4) Iowa Nate Stanley continuing to rock the goatee can only mean good things for Iowa.

5) Wisconsin Most underrated team in the Big Ten. 6) Michigan State Michigan State being at No. 6 is an indication of how deep this conference is.

7) Nebraska This program won a lot of games in the ‘90s.

8) Northwestern The Wildcats need to figure ways to put points up on the board.

9) Maryland This is the point on the list where the teams are no longer good.

10) Indiana The most average football program in the Big Ten. 11) Minnesota “I’m gonna row ‘til I can’t no more.” P.J. Fleck, probably.

12) Purdue The Boilermakers are going to waste having Rondale Moore, aren’t they?

13) Illinois Illinois started its season with a win.

The season is already a success.

14) Rutgers Does any other conference want to make a trade?

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019 - 19

VETERANS APPRECIATION

IT’S UP. . .

KINNICK STADIUM PRESS BOX

SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 GATE OPENS AT 2:15 PM

• Free event for Veterans and immediate family members • Watch the (away) Iowa-Iowa State game inside historic Kinnick Stadium press box, on 24 TVs! • Limited free parking on west side of stadium, enter Gate D (pay parking also available in hospital ramps) • Light tailgating snacks and refreshments available • Veterans benefits information available • No RSVP or ID required QUESTIONS? Gary Boseneiler, Johnson County Veterans Affairs gbosenei@co.johnson.ia.us | (319) 356-6049

AND IT’S GOOD!

20 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 6, 2019

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