The
Daily Iowan
PREGAME
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 | IOWA VS. IOWA STATE | KINNICK STADIUM
FROM LEADER TO LEARNER
Iowa defensive tackle Jeremiah Pittman embraces humility and patience.
The Daily Iowan
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Pregame Editor
Matt McGowan matt.mcgowan@dailyiowan.com
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5 things to watch
Matt McGowan Pregame Editor matt.mcgowan@dailyiowan.com
1. Stopping Rocco Becht
All apologies to Illinois State’s Tommy Rittenhouse and Jake Rubley, but Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht will be the first legitimate collegiate QB the Hawkeyes have faced so far this season. While Becht wasn’t perfect in his Cy-Hawk game last year, the signal-caller has become miles better than what he once was. Against the Hawkeyes last September, Becht posted a passer rating of 94, which turned out to be his lowest output of the season. He went on to win the Big 12’s Offensive Freshman of the Year award.
The redshirt sophomore is also a factor in the run game, tallying 54 carries and three scores in 2023. Regardless of how potent the Hawkeye defensive line was last week, mobile quarterbacks are always a problem. Keeping Becht in the pocket and not allowing him to make plays will be key on Saturday.
2. Kaleb Brown’s role
Kaleb Brown will make his season debut Saturday after serving a one-game suspension for an OWI charge over the summer. The former Ohio State wideout contributed with 22 receptions for 215 yards and a score last season as the Hawkeyes’ third-best pass-catcher. The 5-foot-10 Brown also factored in the ground game, averaging six yards per carry, mostly from reverses and end-arounds.
Given this versatility, it will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Tim Lester weaponizes Brown in the system. Brown sits behind Kaden Wetjen on the depth chart, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has multiple touches on Saturday.
3. First quarter action
I’m sure everyone inside Kinnick Stadium had a lump in their throat watching
the Iowa offense in the opening half against Illinois State. Not throwing to the sticks on third down, not creating holes for running backs, and hitting receivers everywhere but the hands. Safe to say, the first half was a painful reminder of what Iowa’s offense has been in recent years. Pulling that stunt again against Iowa State is a recipe for disaster in what’s sure to be a close game.
Quarterback Cade McNamara and Co. don’t have to drop 30-plus, but at the very least have productive drives that keep the Cyclone defense on the field. No three-and-outs would be huge.
4. Line play
OFFENSE
QB 12 Cade McNamara Sr 1 Brendan Sullivan Jr
RB 28 Kamari Moulton #Fr 2 Kaleb Johnson Jr
WR 15 Reece Vander Zee Fr 0 Jarriett Buie #Fr
WR 21 Kaden Wetjen Sr 3 Kaleb Brown Jr
WR 5 Jacob Gill Jr 8 Terrell Washington Jr. #Fr
TE 85 Luke Lachey Sr 87 Addison Ostrenga Jr
LT 78 Mason Richman Sr 71 Jack Dotzler Soph
While the Hawkeye front five did well in its protection of quarterback Cade McNamara, allowing no sacks against an Illinois State defense that averaged three per game last season, the unit will face quite a bigger test against Iowa State. The Cyclones feature size up front in 6-foot-4, 325-pound tackle Dominique Orange, who tallied 16 tackles across five starts last season. Orange is joined by fellow lineman J.R. Singleton and Trent Jones II, who combined for 6.5 sacks in 2023.
Iowa’s offensive line will have to open up holes for the running backs early on for the Hawkeyes to have success. Setting the tone will be critical.
5. Tandem receiver challenge
LG 70 Beau Stephens Jr 64 Leighton Jones #Fr
C 65 Logan Jones Sr 58 Kade Pieper #Fr
RG 77 Connor Colby Sr 76 Tyler Elsbury Sr
RT 67 Gennings Dunker Jr 56 Nick Dejong Sr
PK 18 Drew Stevens Jr DEFENSE
LE 45 Deontae Craig Sr 48 Max Llewellyn Jr
LT 95 Aaron Graves Jr 57 Will Hubert Soph
RT 94 Yahya Black Sr 55 Jeremiah Pittman Jr
RE 49 Ethan Hurkett Sr 90 Brian Allen Soph
OFFENSE
QB 3 Rocco Becht Soph 10 JJ Kohl #Fr
RB 24 Abu Sama III Soph 26 Carson Hansen Soph
WRM 13 Jaylin Noel Sr 6 Eli Green Jr
WRX 9 Jayden Higgins Jr 11 Dominic Overby Fr
WRZ 0 Beni Ngoyi #Fr 8 Isaiah Alston Jr
TE 49 Stevo Klotz Sr 82 Tyler Moore Jr
LT 75 James Neal Jr 72 Jalen Travis Sr
LG 61 Dylan Barrett Jr 73 Deylin Hasert Soph
C 54 Jarrod Hufford Sr 63 Jim Bonifas Jr
RG 51 Brendan Black Soph 70 Trevor Buhr #Fr
RT 66 Tyler Miller Sr 50 Tyler Maro Jr
PK 97 Kyle Konrardy #Fr DEFENSE
DE 8 Kenard Snyder Jr 89 Trent Jones Jr
DT 58 J.R. Singleton Sr 88 Ikenna Ezeogu Soph
DE 11 Tyler Onyedim Jr 52 Joey Petersen Sr
WLB 47 Kooper Ebel Soph 33 Jack Sadowsky Soph
While the Hawkeyes have a strong secondary in safety Xavier Nwankpa and defensive back Sebastian Castro, the Iowa defense will have its hands full against a pair of talented Cyclone receivers. Wideouts Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins combined for 1,803 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
The pair continued their dominance in Iowa State’s defeat of North Dakota last week with 210 yards and two scores. Coordinator Phil Parker’s group will have to stay disciplined and not gamble on routes, especially with Noel, who’s more of a deep threat, reeling in four passes of at least 50 yards last season.
29 Sebastian Castro Sr 37 Kyler Fisher Sr
MLB 34 Jay Higgins Sr 41 Jayden Harrell Jr
WLB 10 Nick Jackson Sr 43 Karson Sharar Jr
CB 2 TJ Hall Jr 7 John Nestor Soph
SS 1 Xavier Nwankpa Jr 4 Koen Entringer Soph
FS 30 Quinn Schulte Sr 6 Zach Lutmer #Fr
CB 27 Jermari Harris Sr 8 Deshaun Lee Soph
P 9 Rhys Dakin Fr
MLB 0 Zachary Lovett Jr 33 Jack Sadowsky Soph
SLB 23 Will McLaughlin Jr 9 Cael Brezina Fr
CB 10 Darien Porter Sr 5 Myles Purchase Sr
MS 17 Beau Freyler Sr 13 Cam Smith Soph
BS 7 Malik Verdon Jr 19 Ta’Shawn James #Fr
FS 4 Jeremiah Cooper Jr 2 Jamison Patton Soph
CB 3 Jontez Williams Soph 16 Matthew Bess Soph
P 80 Tyler Perkins Jr
(or)
CASH/ LEO
Orange
Brown
Becht
Noel
Character first, accomplishments second
Hawkeye Jeremiah Pittman
Matt McGowan Pregame Editor matt.mcgowan@dailyiowan.com
Watching from the sidelines, James Pittman knew something was up.
It was an autumn day in 2016. His eighth-grade son, Jeremiah, was taking a while to emerge from the postgame handshake line. Jeremiah’s team, the Palatine Panthers –an amateur club team in the Northeast Chicago suburbs – had just lost a heartbreaking decision to southern foe Wheaton.
Once Jeremiah locked hands with the opposing coach, the pair shared a few words. James later asked his son what the coach told him. The answer took James aback, shocked at the coach’s prediction that his son would be playing professional football one day, trading Saturday morning games at local parks with nationally-televised Sunday contests in sold-out stadiums.
James immediately advised his son to not pay attention to the comment. The last thing he wanted was for Jeremiah to become entitled, to feel as if a professional future was destined simply because of one impression. In James’ mind, Jeremiah had to rely on his work ethic— not the words of others.
Seconds after recounting the story, James — a senior pastor at New Hope Community Church — turned to his office computer to play a video for a reporter from The Daily Iowan. Then, he clicked on a video of Jeremiah from earlier that same season.
The hype surrounding his then 13-yearold son was immediately clear. Even while crouched down at the line of scrimmage, Jeremiah appeared larger than the other boys on the field. His right arm planted on the grass below him, he gazed at the opposition — intent on causing damage.
It was the Panthers’ first game of the
doesn’t define himself by accolades.
season in 2016, a duel against the Bart lett Raiders. It was late in the contest, and Palatine needed a defensive stop to ensure victory.
Donning a white jersey emblazoned with the number 75, Jeremiah took off at the snap and shed a block from the right tackle. Almost instantly, he redirected his atten tion to the quarterback, who was dashing toward the line of scrimmage. As soon as the QB took his third step, his right shoulder pad was tattooed by the front of Jeremiah’s helmet, the sudden force stopping him in his tracks.
The quarterback’s feet kept trudging along the grass, but the movement was futile. Jeremiah slowly began to stand up, practically carrying the opposition four yards downfield before driving him into the ground to seal the game.
“The reason why I think that play was pivotal was because that’s when his love of defense switched – it went from offense to defense,” James told the DI . “He was a very good defensive player that year. He domi nated the line inside.”
Defense was no longer a sidekick in Jere miah’s football career. Up until that point, he had alternated between offensive and defensive line. His size had always given him an edge, but that play provided a glimpse of what was possible.
“Athletic and using athleticism is dif ferent things on the football field,” James said. “The switch went on in eighth grade and it’s been on ever since.”
After that season, Jeremiah knew no bounds, becoming a standout at St. Via tor High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, before accepting an offer from Iowa. Coupled with his physical gifts is a grounding sense of humility instilled from his upbringing.
Ultimately, football isn’t everything for Jeremiah, but it’s still made an indelible mark on who he is — a leader not afraid to learn.
““Athletic and using athleticism is different things on the football field. The switch went on in eighth grade and it’s been on ever since.
James Pittman
Jeremiah Pittman’s father
Contributed by James Pittman
Jeremiah Pittman
gripping a football under his right arm. A helmet is nestled at his feet, bearing the logo of his first team – the Arlington Cowboys. It didn’t take long for Jeremiah’s backyard trials to come to the test.
A sumo drill in football pits two players in a miniature circle. Taking each other on in blocks, the object is to force the opponent out of the ring. Once a second-grade Jeremiah won one of these practice battles, the excitement of his teammates and his own exhilaration told him he undertook the right athletic endeavor.
“It was, like, ‘OK, maybe I’m on to something,’” Pittman recalled of the experience. “My older brothers played football too, so I kind of inherited the sport. But after that, it was like, ‘OK, we can go with this.’”
Accomplishments don’t come first
Eventually, Jeremiah would compete in older age divisions due to his size. Once he arrived on campus at St. Viator High School, Jeremiah continued to be the youngest on his team, becoming the first freshman to make the varsity team during head coach Dave Archibald’s nine-year tenure at the school.
Embracing physicality
Down the hall from James’ office sits the sanctuary of New Hope Community Church, a room made vast by its tall ceiling and bright light emanating through side windows. Rows of wood paneling extend from above opposing sets of windows before finally meeting at a high apex. Below sits seven rows of pews split by a roll of red carpeting that leads to the altar. To the left of the altar sits a grand piano covered by a blanket.
Jeremiah played this piano as a child during services, having spent most of his life around the church since James became senior pastor in 2014. Across the road sits a two-story house, where the Pittman family — which includes Jeremiah’s older brothers, James and Josiah — have lived since 2011.
“My father would have to make rules for us to not hurt each other and break out in an argument,” Jeremiah said. “Whether it was football in the backyard or anything physical, we loved doing it.”
Those backyard moments have quite literally stuck with Jeremiah. Before his family made the move to Palatine, they lived in the village of Wheeling, Illinois, where Josiah would hone his baseball skills by swinging a pink plastic bat in the front yard. Jeremiah, then only four or five years old, was sitting
in the grass and stood up at just the wrong moment, receiving an accidental blow to the face by the bat.
“That was just an example of how physical we were,” Jeremiah said, gesturing to a scar that still remains beneath his eye.
Jeremiah’s elder siblings both played football in high school, with his brother James continuing on at Division III Crown College in Minnesota. After watching his brothers perform on the gridiron, it wasn’t
“When he came into our camp as a freshman, after five days of practice I remember thinking, ‘OK, he’s at least going to play on JV,’” Archibald said. “And then after three weeks of practice, he was in our top five linemen in the program.”
Surrounded by seniors, Jeremiah wound up at center as the Lions made the state playoffs. The next season, he would move to left tackle and add on more responsibilities as an interior defensive lineman. In addition, he was also selected as a team captain by the coaching staff, a role typically reserved for upperclassmen.
Archibald credits this promotion to Jeremiah’s family, who instilled values such as
“When he came into our camp as a freshman, after five days of practice I remember thinking, ‘OK, he’s at least going to play on JV.’ And then after three weeks of practice, he was in our top five linemen in the program.”
Dave Archibald St. Viator High School head coach
a question as to whether or not Jeremiah would follow in their footsteps.
Hanging above the red couch in the Pittmans’ living room is a collection of photographs. A family portrait is positioned front and center, while just up and to the left is an 8-by-10 frame of a second-grade Jeremiah. Decked out in a gray jersey and black sports goggles, he sits on one knee,
looked to Jeremiah to spark the shift.
“We did it in part because of Jeremiah and some of his teammates who literally told guys, ‘We are lifting. Period,’” Archibald said. “And we haven’t looked back. Our weight room culture has been impacted by that moment ever since.”
The head coach said Jeremiah made sure to work out with his teammates. The lineman still holds the team record for bench press with 23 reps of 225 pounds but he never gave himself any glory. A teammate could be benching 135 pounds for the first time, and Jeremiah would give them his full attention.
“Jeremiah would be making sure everyone was watching them and supporting them,” Archibald said. “He would be so excited for anybody who hit a personal record.”
In Jeremiah’s case, it would have been tempting to see himself as something bigger than the team. In his junior season, the lineman amassed 31 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and four sacks as the Lions rebounded to a 4-5 campaign. Coupled with his high school play were head-turning performances at lineman showcases throughout the Midwest, where Pittman demonstrated his skills before college scouts in position drills. Soon enough, the offers flowed in.
Iowa State was the first school to offer Jeremiah a roster spot, followed by Northern Illinois in January 2020. Jeremiah and his family were on their way for an official visit to Ames when Northwestern called. For Jeremiah’s father, that first Big Ten offer “opened the floodgates,” as Michigan State, Minnesota, and Wisconsin appeared on the lineman’s radar. Iowa swooped in with an offer on March 24, 2020.
With Division I teams seemingly at his doorstep, it would have been easy for Jeremiah to adopt an air of superiority. Despite the captainship, first-team all-state accolades, and weightlifting records, Jeremiah’s feet stayed firmly on the ground.
“He sees himself not as a star football player first,” Archibald said of Jeremiah. “His accomplishments aren’t first … He starts as a son of God, and from there he’s a student and an incredibly competitive athlete.”
a strong work ethic and humility. Nowhere were his values on display more than in the weight room.
Following the 2018-19 season, when the Lions managed one win in the East Suburban Catholic League, Archibald knew something had to change. In order to be competitive, the program had to make weightlifting a prerequisite. The head coach
This competitiveness is evident on the gridiron when Jeremiah, while oftentimes reserved, isn’t afraid to talk back to the opposition. In a game against local powerhouse Mount Carmel his senior season, Jeremiah received flak from Caravan players decrying him as overrated.
Jeremiah had recently accepted his offer to Iowa, and Mount Carmel’s game plan was simple: contain the soon-to-be collegiate player. After a snap where Jeremiah was triple-teamed, the lineman fired back to the
Emily Nyberg | The Daily Iowan
Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee and linebacker Jay Higgins tackle Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan during the 2023 Wildcats Classic, a football game between Iowa and Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago, on Nov. 4, 2023. Lee was a mentor to Pittman during his time at Iowa, as the pair bonded over their shared faith.
taunting players.
“[Jeremiah] said, [pointing], ‘One, two, three. You’re triple-teaming me, but I ain’t that good,’” James said, letting out a laugh. “And I don’t think they said another word for the rest of the game, so I mean, he’s not going to back down if you come at him.”
“I’m not the most outspoken guy, but in high school, you know, guys talk a little more too,” Jeremiah added. “I didn’t really bother with stuff like that, but if they tend to start stuff, I try to finish it during the whistle.”
defensive tackles Noah Shannon and Logan Lee, who Jeremiah bonded with through their shared faith. The pair taught him to take advantage of his 6-foot-3 frame to gain leverage against offensive lineman.
Jeremiah wouldn’t shy away from a chal lenge back in high school. In college, he would have to wage an uphill battle starting at the bottom of the depth chart. Yet, having this opportunity to rise through the ranks was part of the reason he came to Iowa in the first place.
Honesty, patience, and potential
The football recruiting class of 2021 was far from typical. While COVID-19 was in full swing, prospective players and their families met with the coaching staff over Zoom. Despite the lack of an in-person connection, Hawkeye defensive line coach Kelvin Bell’s message still stuck.
“He wasn’t afraid to shoot straight, and I appreciate honesty in any coach,” Jeremiah said of Bell. “That’s what he was, right off the bat, he was like, ‘You’re not gonna come in here and start playing … We work our guys to the best of their ability.’”
Jeremiah redshirted his first season on campus but still took away valuable lessons on what it meant to be a college football player. The defensive line playbook wasn’t just “slant right” or “slant left,” but rather adjusting midplay based on opposing formations and calls from linebackers.
“At the end of 2021, I learned there was way more detail in football than I could ever imag ine,” Jeremiah said. “Coming in as a freshman, I thought it was just trying to hit somebody.”
The young lineman had plenty of people to lean on in Iowa including former Hawkeye
“They would give me advice, tell me what they think I’m capable of, and give me stuff to improve on,” Jeremiah said of his former teammates, both of whom signed with NFL teams last spring. “They were very good at not letting me give up.
I was one of the younger guys, being in a very veteran room; to get to that level can take a lot of work. So they were really, really, empathetic.”
After a year learning under his teammates’ tutelage, Jeremiah saw action early in the 2022 season, posting two tackles in Iowa’s victory over Nevada: his first collegiate stats. Father James was there to see the game, at least at first. He can only count two games over the past three years where he didn’t watch his son in person, but lengthy lightning delays prompted him to make the three-hour trip back to Palatine.
“I think it was 1:30 in the morning and I watched it live on television,” James remembered.
Jeremiah saw action in two more games that season, and heading into 2023, sat behind Lee at right defensive tackle, recording six tackles and a fumble recovery. Despite a lack of starts, Jeremiah’s patience never wavered, a quality his teammates appreciate.
“I think it says a lot, because a lot of guys coming into college, they’re not playing right away and they’re looking to move on and go somewhere else,” defensive lineman Deontae Craig said of Pittman. “Being able to soak in those lessons that they teach you – I mean, we got stories on this every year of guys who wait their turn, and as soon as they get it, they take off and run with it.
“He’s obviously going to be
expected to do a lot more this season, but I know he’s been putting in the work and he’ll be ready for it.”
In Iowa’s 2024 season opener against Illinois State, Jeremiah contributed two tackles in the 40-0 victory. Head coach Kirk Ferentz said he wasn’t surprised to see the lineman make plays against the Redbirds, as Jeremiah’s made steady progress since he arrived on campus. Jeremiah sits behind senior Yahya Black at right defensive tackle, and Ferentz said Jeremiah’s potential has yet to be played out.
“For him to start may not be realistic at this given point, but it’s all in front of him right
now,” Ferentz said. “He’s working hard every single day, and he’s a much better player than he was a year ago at this time and it’s great to see.”
James said his son has an “exacting” quality to him, always wanting a straightforward answer. Sometimes a byproduct of this trait is thinking too much, trying to make sense of every minute detail in Iowa’s defensive scheme. But James has seen the potential firsthand and knows that once Jeremiah flips the switch – like he did all those years ago on the Palatine Panthers – there’s no going back.
“I’ve been watching Jeremiah since he was in second grade,” James said. “He hasn’t even started playing yet. Hasn’t even started.”
Lee
Shannon
Contributed by James Pittman
Craig
Ferentz
Starting with experience
Hawkeye receiver Jacob Gill brings blocking and playmaking to an offense in need.
Colin Votzmeyer Sports Editor colin.votzmeyer@dailyiowan.com
In an Iowa football receiver room that is fluctuating amid inexperience and ineligibility, Jacob Gill has been a hopeful target.
After three seasons with Northwestern, the 6-foot, 185-pound third-year joined Wildcat quarterback Brendan Sullivan in transferring to the Hawkeyes this offseason.
The move came after a troublesome year offensively for Iowa, which hit rock-bottom in the FBS in terms of yards per game last season. Such an anemic scheme saw just three touch downs to receivers in 14 total games.
Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Gill’s arrival in Iowa City quickly caught the attention of Iowa starting cornerback TJ Hall, who noted the newcomer’s shiftiness and thus wanted to test his pass-catching abilities.
Hawkeyes this season.
“Even as an older player in my career, you always want to improve,” Gill said. “I always look for ways to be better.”
Such was evidenced in the Hawkeyes’ 40-0 win over Illinois State at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 31.
Last year’s breakout receiver Kaleb Brown was absent due to a suspension for an OWI charge over the summer, and second-in-command Seth Anderson was sidelined with an injury.
“And then he caught everything,” Hall said. “Just seeing him at first, I was like, ‘Man, I feel like this guy’s going to be a big playmaker for us,’ and so far he is. So hopefully we can continue that.”
It’s not that Gill was a receiving powerhouse in Evanston. But he certainly brings muchneeded experience to Iowa City this season.
In 2021, Gill played in all 12 games for the Wildcats, recording eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. His longest grab was a 31-yarder against Duke in September.
The next season, Gill broke out into two starts while again playing in all 12 games, recording a catch in seven of those games for 99 yards and an average of 14.1 yards per catch with one touchdown.
After an injury saw him play in just four games in 2023, Gill is now healthy, quick, and proving it as a starting receiver for the
So, the Iowa offense was dependent on Gill — alongside first-year Reece Vander Zee and tight ends Luke Lachey and Addison Ostrenga — to step up and move the offense past the Redbirds and build confidence in its abilities.
Despite just three receptions, the wideout totaled 46 yards and continued his Wildcat ways with a long of 31 yards.
“Just seeing him at first, I was like, ‘Man, I feel like this guy’s going to be a big playmaker for us,’ and so far he is. So hopefully we can continue that.”
TJ Hall Iowa starting cornerback
That snag was a second-half touchdown that sent Kinnick Stadium into a frenzy.
Although the offense stalled for the first half, it adopted a quick tempo to open the sec ond. And with 7:54 left in the third, up 12-0, quarterback Cade McNamara lined up in the shot gun with Gill in the right slot. McNamara then rolled out to the right as Gill pressed hard up
the middle, the former stopping and settling on his back foot as a defender approached and launching a cross-field spiral to Gill on a slight slant.
Breaking through two defensive backs, Gill bent down for the ball placed just to the right of his hip, rolling down onto the turf as he brought in the catch — but popping back up and flexing to the crowd that roared in celebration of six.
“I’ll just say our playmaking ability and our connections with the quarterbacks — we built a great bond with each other within the room and within the offense in general,” Gill said. “So that just gives you all the confidence in the world, just knowing that you can go out there and fight for those guys.”
Beyond the touchdown, Gill displayed tremendous ball security as he was frequently rocked by Redbird defenders yet maintained control of the catch through the contact.
“It’s just the mentality,” Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson, often on the giving end of such hits, said. “There’s no shock in that. He’s a hard worker. He’s a competitor. And he’s a heck of a football
Moreover, Gill’s teammates on both sides of the ball praised him for his pride in blocking for
the ball carrier — an overlooked skill that’s important for wideouts to build an offense, especially one that relies on the run game like the Hawkeyes’ scheme.
“Oh, man — Gill’s a tough receiver,” Hall said. “He takes blocking very seriously. And a lot of receivers don’t do that, but Jacob Gill — he takes that very seriously … I love going against him.”
“I’ve just got to shout out Jacob Gill — he’s one of my favorite guys to watch,” Iowa offensive lineman Mason Richman added. “If I’m not in and have seen the play clip a couple of times, I’ll watch him block because he’s doing a really good job for us.”
Even with Brown back for Saturday’s matchup with Iowa State, Gill is still listed as a starting wide receiver.
“[I’m] just going in every day and putting the work in, taking these days to come,” Gill said of his progress. “Stacking days has been important for me, and as long as I just keep doing that, I’ll continue to better myself, better the guys around me, and just better the team. So that’s the mindset I take into it every day.”
The Hawkeye offense will need to find him open again — not only to beat an in-state rival but also to add momentum to an offense that needs to stay awake if it wants to play into 2025.
Emma Calabro | The Daily Iowan Iowa wide receivers Reece Vander Zee and Jacob Gill celebrate during a football game between Iowa and Illinois State at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 31. The Hawkeyes defeated the Redbirds, 40-0. Gill caught three passes for 46 yards in his first game as a Hawkeye.
Gill
McNamara
Jackson
Brown
Hall
Weekly Wager
PETE RUDEN College Football Editor, Action Network Daily Iowan alumnus
-2.5
The Daily Iowan’s official bettor’s guide to Iowa football’s Week 2 matchup with Iowa State.
Iowa held Illinois State to the fifth percentile or worse in offensive success rate, expected points added per play, yards per play, and explosive play rate. I don’t think the Cyclones are ready for this better and more experienced defense, especially after only scoring 13 points last year.
I’m not going to let one half against an FCS team keep me from riding Iowa unders — especially when the Cy-Hawk game has stayed under this total in four of the last five years. Even though the Hawkeyes impressed on offense, I’m not expecting another burst against Iowa State.
The Wolfpack shouldn’t be judged for a scare against Western Carolina last week. Quarterback Grayson McCall will get better.
MATT MCGOWAN Pregame Editor
-2.5
The Cyclones only gave up three points to North Dakota last week but yielded a 55 percent conversion rate on third down. I like those chances for the Hawkeyes, who will already have an edge with ISU linebacker Caleb Bacon sidelined with a leg injury.
Even with the loss of star corner TJ Tampa to the NFL, the Cyclones yielded three points to North Dakota despite their defense being on the field for almost 40 minutes. Cy-Hawk games have been rockfights as of late, and this one won’t be pretty either.
Jayhawk running back Devin Neal and an explosive offense will dice up a mediocre Illinois defense.
Each week during the Iowa football season, Daily Iowan Pregame Editor Matt McGowan and Action Network College Football Editor
YTD: $89
Ruden’s 2024 record: 1-2
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.
YTD: $262
McGowan’s 2024 record: 3-0
One on One: Jarriett Buie
The Daily Iowan Assistant Sports Editor Brad Schultz spoke with the Hawkeye wideout on Iowa football media day on Aug. 9.
Brad Schultz
Assistant Sports Editor brad.schultz
#0 Jarriett Buie
• Redshirt Freshman
• Wide Receiver
• 6-foot-1
• Tampa, Florida
The Daily Iowan: If you could have any food for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
Buie: My grandma makes some mean rice and beans.
How does she make them?
She gets some soy rice and black beans, some bacon, and she mixes it up in a pot. It’s definitely my favorite dish.
Besides football, what is your favorite sport?
When people ask me what sport I play, I tell them water polo.
Did you watch any water polo during the Summer Olympics? I did not. Why? Because I don’t think a lot of people watch water polo. So I get away with it. But it’s just fun to me. I tell them after I’m just playing around. I ran track in high school. Track is fun because you are with your buddies.
What are your favorite hangout spots in Iowa City?
I love the Vine [Vine Tavern and Eatery]. Me and my buddies will go there after a game and we’ll tear up some wings from there. I usually go with my buddy and his dad because he pays for the food. It’s a great time over there.
What wings do you typically order?
I get medium barbecue wings. My buddy really likes the garlic wings.
If you won the lottery today, what would you do with it?
If I won the lottery, you will not see me again. I’m going to put a ski mask on and you’re not going to see my skin because you’re not even gonna notice me. I’m going to collect my money, ration it out a little bit, and give it to some people. You’re never going to see me again.
How are you feeling about the offense this year?
I feel solid about it. We’re out here every day, we’re learning every day, and we’re learning new things. When you’re really competing with the defense, we’re sharpening each other, and they’re just making us better.
Game Guide
Friday | 6 p.m. |
Western Illinois (0-1, 0-0) Indiana (1-0, 0-0)
Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN
Western Illinois got smoked, 54-15, by Northern Illinois last week. You can expect the Hoosiers to run up the score in a similar fashion.
Line: NA O/U: NA
Friday | 8 p.m. |
Duke (1-0, 0-0)
Northwestern (1-0, 0-0) Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium Evanston, IL
One of the more underrated matchups in Week 2. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Duke pulled out the win in this one. Lock in.
Line: Northwestern -3 O/U: 40.5
Saturday | 11 a.m. |
No. 3 Texas (1-0, 0-0)
No. 10 Michigan (1-0, 0-0)
Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI
Game of the week if you reside outside of Iowa. If you thought Michigan’s offense struggled last weekend, imagine what’s going to happen this week.
Saturday | 11 a.m. |
Bowling Green (1-0, 0-0) No. 8 Penn State (1-0, 0-0)
Beaver Stadium University Park, PA
I’ll just look at the final score after the game. Watching Bowling Green play football is the least of my worries.
Line: Penn State -31.5 O/U: 49.5
Saturday | 11 a.m. |
Rhode Island (1-0, 0-0) Minnesota (0-1, 0-0)
Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN
This isn’t the game that’ll have you up pregaming at 9 a.m., especially when Texas-Michigan is on. Nobody should have this game on their TVs.
Line: NA O/U: NA
Saturday | 11 a.m. |
Akron (0-1, 0-0)
Rutgers (1-0, 0-0)
SHI Stadium Piscataway, NJ
Poor Akron had to endure Ohio State in its first game of the season, and will still be recovering from that matchup. Scarlet Knights by a mile.
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
Iowa State (1-0, 0-0) No. 21 Iowa (1-0, 0-0) Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA
Ah yes, Hate Week. The best week of the year. Grab your beers, put on your Hawkeye apparel, and gather around your loved ones. It’s war.
Line: Iowa -2.5 O/U: 36
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
Michigan State (1-0, 0-0) Maryland (1-0, 0-0)
SECU Stadium College Park, MD
How beautiful is this? The first Big Ten matchup of the season. Too bad it’s during the Cy-Hawk game. With that being said, give me Maryland.
Line: Maryland -9 O/U: 44.5
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
Eastern Michigan (1-0, 0-0) Washington (1-0, 0-0)
Husky Stadium Seattle, WA
Sorry Washington, but Will Rogers cannot replace Michael Penix Jr. Enjoy this win against Eastern Michigan because it’s going to get rough.
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
South Dakota (1-0, 0-0) Wisconsin (1-0, 0-0)
Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI
Saturday | 6:30 p.m. |
Colorado (1-0, 0-0)
Nebraska (1-0, 0-0)
Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE
I know Wisconsin misses Braelon Allen because it cannot pass the football. But who am I to say anything about passing inabilities? I’m at Iowa.
Line: NA O/U: NA
Saturday | 6 p.m. |
No. 19 Kansas (1-0, 0-0) Illinois (1-0, 0-0) Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL
Imagine if Paul Pierce mossed Deron Williams for a touchdown off a dime from Mario Chalmers. That’s what happens when two basketball schools meet in football.
Line: Michigan -21 O/U: 47.5
Saturday | 6:30 p.m. |
Western Michigan (0-1, 0-0) No. 2 Ohio State (1-0, 0-0)
Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH
The Broncos put up a fight against Wisconsin last week, but this ain’t no Wisconsin this time around. Hold Western Michigan in your prayers.
Two words:
and Dylan
— must-see TV. The Buffaloes will score 28 points, but their defense will give up 35. Hello again, USC.
Line: Nebraska -6.5 O/U: 57.5
Saturday | 9 p.m. |
Boise State (1-0, 0-0)
No. 7 Oregon (1-0, 0-0) Auzten Stadium Eugene, OR
Another Idaho-based team for Oregon. I expect Dillon Gabriel to throw for another 380 passing yards in this one. The score shouldn’t be close.
Line: Oregon -18.5 O/U: 60.5
Saturday | 10 p.m. |
Utah State (1-0, 0-0) No. 13 USC (1-0, 0-0)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA
You saw what the Trojans defense did last weekend? If they hold up against LSU, imagine what they can do Saturday. Not a big enough line.
Line: USC -27
Line: Texas -6.5
O/U: 44.5
Line: Rutgers -23.5 O/U: 41.5
Line: Washington -25 O/U: 47.5
Line: Ohio State -39
O/U: 54.5
O/U: 61.5
Shedeur Sanders
Raiola
Chris Meglio Pregame Reporter
Power Rankings
1. Ohio State
Let’s be real, it will be No. 1 all season.
Chris Meglio Pregame Reporter
2. Oregon
Dillion Gabriel threw for 380 passing yards in Week 1, sheesh.
3. USC
USC should be second, but I’m giving Oregon the benefit of the doubt for now.
4. Penn State
Just a great team with great potential. Nothing special to say here.
5. Iowa
Iowa offense scoring 40 points with 250 passing yards? Natty run incoming.
6. Michigan
The Wolverines’ passing game is atrocious.
7. Nebraska
Dylan Raiola is the damn truth. Nebraska fans should be excited.
8. Washington
Excited to see this team play some Big Ten opponents.
9. Maryland
Honestly, could be ranked higher after the whooping it gave UConn.
10. Wisconsin
Western Michigan gave it a run for its money.
11. Rutgers
The most mid team in the Big Ten.
12. Illinois
If there’s any team that’s bound to fall in the rankings after Week 2, it’s Illinois.
13. Michigan State
I thought Michigan’s offense was bad until I looked at Michigan State’s offensive stats.
14. Purdue
Hudson Card will not be completing 24-of-25 of his passes again.
15. Indiana
Get the wins in now before Big Ten play.
16. Minnesota
“Minnesota! What happened!?” Only winless team in the Big Ten.
17. Northwestern
At least its temporary stadium is nice.
18. UCLA
The Bruins will not survive in the Big Ten without a run game.
On The Line
IOWA
Ben and Colin, our friendship is SUSPENDED.
TEXAS
Bring back the live mascot, Michigan. Or at least Hugh Jackman.
ARKANSAS
ABC, please use Lenny Kravitz’s version of “Fly Away.” CBS would.
SYRACUSE
Orange you glad I break up the monotony?
TENNESSEE
Also known as the subject of every Morgan Wallen song. Overrated.
COLORADO
It’s all scripted, people.
The Daily Iowan staff share their predictions and thoughts on this week’s upcoming games.
IOWA
Cue video of Kirk spitting and checking his notes during the siren.
TEXAS
Go watch the Quinn Ewers interview with Caleb Pressley.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Go Pokes. Shoutout Rickie Fowler.
GEORGIA TECH
“Yellowjackets” might be the toughest CFB name.
TENNESSEE
Do your homework on what happened with the Vols last Saturday.
COLORADO
A Shilo Sanders late hit on off-brand Mahomes might shatter CFB.
IOWA
Hawks have won seven of the last eight in the series. Make it eight.
TEXAS
For the first and last time – Hook ‘em Horns.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Mike Gundy’s mullet remains one of the coolest coaching styles.
GEORGIA TECH
The Carrier Dome has experienced a large yellow jacket infestation.
TENNESSEE
Cue “Rocky Top.”
IOWA
Screaming “[Insert expletive here] the Cyclones” all week!
TEXAS
Michigan couldn’t pass with JJ McCarthy and still can’t pass now.
OKLAHOMA STATE
I stand with my lightskin brother Cade Cunningham.
GEORGIA TECH
Shoutout Iman Shumpert.
TENNESSEE
Beating NC State is not worth tearing down the goal post, Vols fans.
IOWA
Sebastian Castro lives rent-free in Rocco Becht’s head.
TEXAS
IOWA
How many of you were freaking out about Iowa’s offense at half?
No Harbaugh. TEXAS
If only Connor Stalions could steal the Hook ‘Em Horns sign.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Have you seen Ollie Gordon II in NCAA 25???
OKLAHOMA STATE
A game to really not care about.
GEORGIA TECH
Tech found a pot of gold in Dublin.
TENNESSEE
Nico Iamaleava for Heisman?
NEBRASKA
Iowa still has better corn.
NEBRASKA
Colorado’s defense is cheeks, buns, straight cooked.
IOWA
My five-year-old is not a fan of the “Cyclowns.”
TEXAS
All signs, stolen or otherwise, point to Texas winning.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Arkansas won’t be able to stop Ollie Gordon II.
GEORGIA TECH
A game to maybe care about, because Georgia Tech could be good.
TENNESSEE
Vols have a dog mascot, and that’s OK.
NEBRASKA
Boulder.... we have a problem.
NEBRASKA
Deion barely beat North Dakota State.
GEORGIA TECH
Georgia Tech suddenly in the ACC race conversation.
TENNESSEE
I’ve never tried Duke’s mayo.
NEBRASKA
Colorado still looks like a fraud.
Mia Boulton Sports Reporter sports@dailyiowan.com
When Stacy Coleman told her seven-yearold son Atlas he was selected for the 2024 Kid Captain roster, there was a celebration complete with “pure joy” and a victory dance.
“There’s not a lot of fun stuff when you have cancer, so it was really nice to have something that was so exciting for him,” Coleman said.
Last fall, Atlas and his parents attended an Iowa football game at Kinnick Stadium, where they saw the Kid Captain celebration from the stands. On Saturday, Atlas and his parents will have a full-circle experience as they take the turf.
“When we pointed the Kid Captain out to Atlas last year, he said, ‘I want to do that,’” Atlas’ father Neal recalled. “So here we are.”
Atlas said he is looking forward to every thing on Saturday, but mostly seeing the players.
Kid Captains have the opportunity to meet the Hawkeye football team during its annual Kids’ Day at Kinnick. During the open prac tice, the team signs autographs for the kids, takes photos, and gives the honorary captains exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences.
Atlas looks up to the players as a young athlete himself.
“I play football at recess,” Atlas said. “QB.” In his free time, he also enjoys playing his favorite sport, hockey.
But the road to becoming a healthy, sports-loving kid wasn’t easy, and it all started by coincidence.
At about 15 months old, Atlas was taken to the emergency room. The hospital staff suggested chest X-rays to investigate Stacy and Neal’s initial concern. The tests showed clear results for the Colemans’ prior concern but created a new one instead.
“They did find what we thought was a benign cyst in his lung,” Stacy said. “It’s a cyst some kids are just born with.”
Local doctors suggested removal, but the Coleman family opted for a second opinion from the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
“When we met with the surgeon there, they made us feel super comfortable,” Stacy recalled.
“There’s not a lot of fun stuff when you have cancer, so it was really nice to have something that was so exciting for him.”
Stacy
Coleman Atlas Coleman’s mother
Tortuga
Playing Hockey Color:NEON YELLOW
