The Daily Iowan Pregame - 09.29.23

PREGAME

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

IOWA VS. MICHIGAN STATE KINNICK STADIUM

Iowa wideout Diante Vines inspires those around him with his constant determination.

‘Heart of a lion’

OFFENSE

QB 12 Cade McNamara Sr

10 Deacon Hill Soph

RB 4 Leshon Williams Jr

28 Kamari Moulton Fr

FB 88 Hayden Large Sr

41 Rusty VanWetzinga Fr

WR 0 Diante Vines Jr

3 Kaleb Brown Soph

WR 89 Nico Ragaini Sr

6 Seth Anderson Soph

TE 83 Erick All Sr

87 Addison Ostrenga Soph

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

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

OFFENSE

QB 10 Noah Kim Jr

12 Katin Houser #Fr

RB 5 Nathan Carter Soph

8 Jalen Berger Jr

WR 83 Montorie Foster Jr. Sr

7 Antonio Gates Jr. #Fr

WR 15 Jaron Glover #Fr

16 Christian Fitzpatrick Jr

WR 17 Tre Mosley Sr

2 Tyrell Henry Soph

TE 6 Maliq Carr Jr

92 Evan Morris Sr

LT 53 Brandon Baldwin Jr

54 Keyshawn Blackstock Jr

LG 67 J.D. Duplain Sr

57 Evan Brunning Sr

C 59 Nick Samac Sr

72 Dallas Fincher Jr

RG 74 Geno VanDeMark Soph

71 Kristian Phillips #Fr

RT 58 Spencer Brown Sr

77 Ethan Boyd Soph

PK 97 Jonathan Kim Sr

DEFENSE

LE 2 Khris Bogle Sr

26 Brandon Wright Sr

DT 41 Derrick Harmon Soph

99 Jalen Sami Sr

DT 8 Simeon Barrow Jr. Jr

97 Maverick Hansen Sr

RE 9 Zion Young Soph

52 Tunmise Adeleye Soph

Five things to watch

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

1. Iowa offensive line play

In all of the bad that occurred last Saturday at Happy Valley, the performance of the Iowa offensive line might have been the worst. Both the pass blocking and run blocking were absolutely abysmal, as the Hawkeyes ran for less than two yards per rush and suffered multiple strip-sacks from Penn State defensive linemen who broke through protection untouched.

Such a disaster cannot happen again, even if Michigan State might not have the same talent in the pass rush. The Spartans’ most notable lineman is Simeon Barrow Jr., who earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022 and is on the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist for this season. Don’t be surprised if longtime Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, who was brought back on staff this year, has some defensive stunts up his sleeve. Any sign of improvement from the O-line will be a positive, and the Spartans will be an adequate test.

2. Ball security

In 2022, the Hawkeyes averaged less than one fumble per game. At Penn State on Sept. 23 of this year, Iowa fumbled six times, with four of those loose balls going to the Nittany Lions for turnovers.

57 overall, including two Big Ten titles and an appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2015. Dantonio retired in February of 2020, and just three years later, he is now back as an official member of the coaching staff, working alongside interim head coach Harlon Barnett. As head coach at Michigan State, Dantonio was 5-4 against the Hawkeyes, winning his final three matchups. Now back in the Green and White, Dantonio will prove valuable considering his vast experience against Iowa. Known for his defensive mind, Dantonio will keep the Iowa offense on its toes with a variety of coverages and fronts.

4. Prowess of passing game

At his media availability on Tuesday, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was asked multiple times about how the Hawkeye offense would incorporate wide receivers into its scheme. So far this season, Iowa wideouts have just 14 catches. In fact, the WR unit has gotten only 31 targets, which ranks third-to-last in the FBS. While Ferentz said there were “no magic answers” to revitalizing an offense that was shut out in a game for the first time since 2000, the Hawkeyes need to add wide receivers as a viable part of their offense.

In other words, the offense can’t be two-dimensional. Instead of only running the ball or tossing the ball over the middle to All in passing scenarios, Iowa needs to let its receivers eat. Transfer additions Seth Anderson and Kaleb Brown didn’t come to Iowa City to just run routes and block. Against a youthful Spartan secondary with multiple underclassmen at starting positions, the receiver corps should get in on the action and prove to the nation that Iowa can, at least somewhat, change its ways.

The Daily Iowan

Publisher Jason Brummond jason-brummond@uiowa.edu

Executive Editor Sabine Martin sabine-martin@uiowa.edu

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

Sports Editor Kenna Roering mckenna-roering@uiowa.edu

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

Football Reporter Cooper Worth cooper-worth@uiowa.edu

Managing Editor Parker Jones parker-jones@uiowa.edu

Managing Editor, Digital Jami Martin-Trainor jami-martin-trainor@uiowa.edu

Managing Editor, Enterprise and Design Marandah Mangra-Dutcher marandah-mangra-dutcher@ uiowa.edu

Managing Editor, Visuals Ayrton Breckenridge ayrton-breckenridge@uiowa.edu

Asst. Design Editor Bri Brown brianna-m-brown@uiowa.edu

DITV Sports Director Michael Merrick michael-j-merrick@uiowa.edu

Business Manager Debra Plath debra-plath@uiowa.edu 319-335-5786

5. Cooper DeJean turnovers

37 Kyler Fisher Sr

29 Sebastian Castro Sr

Leo/ Cash

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

WLB 27 Cal Haladay Jr

7 Aaron Brule Sr

MLB 4 Jacoby Windmon Sr

5 Jordan Hall Fr

CB 00 Charles Brantley Jr

29 Marqui Lowery Jr. Jr

SS 43 Malik Spencer Soph

30 Justin White Sr

FS 1 Jaden Mangham Soph

19 Armorion Smith Soph

CB 21 Dillon Tatum Soph

25 Chance Rucker Fr

NB 15 Angelo Grose Sr

12 Chester Kimbrough Sr

P 96 Ryan Eckley #Fr

As for 2023 as a whole, Iowa has nine fumbles on the year. If this pace continues, Iowa will have 27 fumbles by December. While only four of those nine fumbles have fallen into the hands of the opponent, the more times the Hawkeyes let the ball get away, the more chances there are for turnovers. The last thing Iowa needs is another drive-killing fumble, such as the one by tight end Erick All in the first quarter at Penn State. Admittedly, fumbles are difficult to control as an offense, but Iowa players will need to keep two hands on the ball and have solid perimeter blocking to prevent multiple tacklers.

3. Tactics of Mark Dantonio

After Spartan head coach Mel Tucker was initially suspended on Sept. 10, Michigan State brought back longtime head coach Mark Dantonio. Over his 13 seasons at the helm in East Lansing, the Zanesville, Ohio, native went 114-

Don’t take this as a knock against Cooper DeJean whatsoever, as the Hawkeyes star All-American cornerback has done just fine in coverage all season. In fact, he ranks third on the team in tackles with 24, which is absurd for his position. However, DeJean only has one pass defended this season and no interceptions to his name.

Granted, this is partly due to opposing teams not throwing the ball his way on purpose, but I think Michigan State can be the perfect opponent to increase DeJean’s stock on the turnover market. Spartan starting quarterback Noah Kim has thrown three interceptions in his past two games. Over that sample size, the QB has a mediocre completion percentage of 47.5 percent. Such inaccuracy and turnover vulnerability are the perfect storm for DeJean to have himself a monster game.

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DIANTE VINES REFUSES TO QUIT AMID ADVERSITY

The Iowa wideout is finally healthy after a life-threatening illness and several injuries.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Russotti said. “I was labeled the head coach, and Marshall was the assistant coach, which really was the reverse.”

Vines didn’t like football much as a child but was inspired by Davi to start playing and began his career in middle school as a quarterback.

Vines quickly fell in love with football, but just before he turned 15, his health got in the way of his athletic career.

Vines got salmonella, a food-related illness that affects more than 1 million people every year. Some that are infected experience no symptoms and can recover within a few days to a week without specific treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Such was not the case for the young athlete.

By the time Danbury Hospital had called the ambulance to transfer Vines to a children’s specialty facility, he was in critical condition.

Russotti said Vines lost 33 pounds due to the illness and was suffering from sepsis, which occurs when an infection triggers a chain reaction throughout the body and can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death without timely treatment, per the CDC.

“The doctors told Diante, ‘You are knocking on death’s door,’” Russotti remembers.

Medical professionals found out Vines also had E. coli, another food-related illness that was a different bacteria than salmonella. Because both infections were fighting against one another, it was difficult to find an antibiotic that would fend off both.

Russotti said Vines’ left leg was “dragging” and filling with fluid for about two months. Doctors had to drain his knees and hips often for him to regain mobility. The infection also compromised Vines’ vision and caused redness and swelling in his right eye.

Kenna Roering Sports Editor mckenna-roering@uiowa.edu

Diante Vines felt a comforting presence wash over him when he scored his first touchdown in an Iowa uniform.

Vines said it was his Uncle Mike, who had just died from Stage 4 metastatic cancer a few days before Iowa’s 41-10 win over Western Michigan.

Mike never got the chance to see Vines, a junior wide receiver with the Hawkeyes, compete in college but was glued to the

TV any time his “superstar” was playing. He made sure an Iowa hat was put in his casket so he would always be with his nephew.

“When Mike got sick, he told Diante, ‘Don’t ever give up. Go for your dream,’” Vines’ mother, Joyce Russotti, said.

Few have experienced the adversity Vines has had to overcome in his 22 years of life.

He battled his way through a life-threatening illness as a young teenager and suffered countless injuries that kept him from playing the game he loved, but Vines refused to give up.

Now, the Connecticut native feels he’s finally where he always strived to be.

“That was everything to me,” Vines said of his touchdown reception, a 3-yard pass from

quarterback Cade McNamara in the Sept. 16 game. “It’s just a true testament to what can happen when you keep your head down and keep working.”

‘Knocking on death’s door’

Vines started playing sports when he was 5 years old. His older brother, Davi, was 7 years old at the time and played basketball. Vines wanted to play on Davi’s team but had to be at least 7 unless one of his parents was the coach.

So, Russotti applied to be the head coach of the basketball team, and Vines’ father, Marshall Vines, got the assistant coaching job.

“You’re staring at him, and you’re thinking, ‘Why can’t I save him? Why can’t I protect him?’ This is my job,” Russoti said. “I’m supposed to always be able to take care of him and make him better. And that was a time where I felt I couldn’t help him.”

Infectious disease specialists gave Vines two options: take two different pills at the same time, which could potentially be fatal, or opt out of medication and risk death anyway.

“We went for the two pills at the same time because he couldn’t battle these infections,” Russotti said. “My sister was with me, and we watched him take those two pills and prayed like there was nothing else we could do.”

Doctors didn’t hold Vines back from the field and wanted him to enjoy his young life. He continued to play football while fighting

Jerod Ringwad | The Daily Iowan

Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines runs after a reception during a football game between Iowa and Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 12, 2022. The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers, 24-10.

Vines

the infection and made the varsity football team at Danbury High School as a freshman, which is when he realized his potential.

The two medications Vines was taking made him feel so nauseous that he would vomit on the sidelines when he came off the field. But with Vines’ determination, he would go right back in on the next play. Vines never allowed himself to miss a full football season. Rus sotti said she didn’t know her son was puking during games until one of the coaches mentio ned it and told her how much of a “fighter” the high schooler was.

Russotti received a call from Vines’ doc tor, Henry Feder, who specializes in pediatric infectious diseases and immunology. Feder said Vines needed to be transported to Boston because his medication wasn’t responding to the salmonella, and doctors in Boston could provide different treatment.

Russotti had her bags packed to head to Boston, and within an hour, Feder called back and said the CDC found the specific strain of salmonella that Vines had, meaning he could now be properly treated.

After almost two years of suffering, Vines was successfully treated for the infection on Sept. 15, 2017. He was released from the hospital the next day and went to his gran dma’s house, where his favorite meal was waiting for him—chicken parmigiana and pasta with a side of freshly-made garlic bread.

Impact player

Ahead of his junior season, Vines wanted to challenge himself athletically and academi cally, as well as get more exposure on the field. His friend, Ayinde Johnson, was then playing at Taft, a private boarding school located in Watertown, Connecticut, about 35 minutes from where Vines grew up. Johnson suggested that Vines consider enrolling at the school.

Vines reached out to Taft head coach Tyler Whitley and sent his game film and transcripts. Whitley was impressed and invited Vines on a visit. It was a done deal from there.

“The type of player he was, his toughness— all those things came through loud and clear on film,” Whitley said. “So just off the film itself, I knew he was going to come in here and be a major impact player for us.”

When Vines arrived on campus, he asked his head coach if he could play wide receiver. Whitley said it was the right move in Vines’ development and where the high schooler saw himself playing in college.

On the first day of practice, Whitley said the transfer made a couple of plays that inclined the coaching staff to look at each other in awe.

Tyler Whitley Taft head coach

“He was relatively raw and inexperienced as a receiver,” Whitley said. “But all of those natural skills — the ball skills, the speed, the route running — were innate in him, and he just built upon them.”

Dubbed “Hollywood” by his coaches and teammates, Vines holds career records at Taft

for receiving yards, catches, and touchdown receptions.

Iowa wide receiver coach Kelton Copeland made the trip to Connecticut prior to Vines’ senior season and watched the athlete work out. That same day, Copeland offered Vines his first FBS scholarship.

On June 4, 2019, Copeland called Vines and asked if he would be interested in visiting Iowa. The pair scheduled a visit for June 21–23.

Vines couldn’t pick out the Hawkeye State on a map and had never been to the Midwest, so his first impression of Iowa came from 35,000 feet in the air.

Upon first glance, it was not where he imagined himself playing college football.

“I came on my visit, and when we were on the plane, I popped open the window and looked outside. All I saw was cornfields and dirt. I was like, ‘I’m not coming here. This probably isn’t for me,’” Vines said. “I’m a city boy.”

With the help of his tour guide and former Hawkeye wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Vines changed his mind about Iowa by the time he hopped on his return flight home.

Russotti said she appreciated the honesty from Copeland when she and Vines were in Iowa City.

“We didn’t want to hear, ‘Oh yeah, you’re going to start right away,’” she said. “We were

Daniel McGregor-Huyer | The Daily Iowan Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines looks up during a football game between Iowa and Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 25, 2022. The Cornhuskers defeated the Hawkeyes, 24-17.

“He was relatively raw and inexperienced as a receiver. But all of those natural skills — the ball skills, the speed, the route running — were innate in him, and he just built upon them.”

VINES from 5

concerned because we did know that there wasn’t a big passing game at Iowa, but they said that would be changing and they were going to factor in wide receivers more. Diante just felt so comfortable with Iowa.”

Vines felt Iowa was the best place for him to develop as both a player and person and hopefully reach the professional level.

Vines also received offers from Boston College and Syracuse but committed to the Hawkeyes on July 3, 2019.

Move to the Midwest

With Vines’ experience living away from home while attending Taft, he didn’t have a hard time being independent when he arrived in Iowa City. But he did miss his family, who were now were now an 18-hour drive away.

Vines said he talks to his older sister, Jovana, every day on the phone. He referred to her as the “second mother of the house” growing up and said the two never fail to make each other laugh.

Phone calls of support from family became even more frequent when Vines tore an Achilles tendon as a true freshman in 2020.

When she was informed of what happened to Vines, her heart sank. She told Copeland and the doctors that she was just two flights away and that she could fly in for the surgery, but the medical staff said they couldn’t wait that long.

The surgery went well, and Vines made a full recovery. He played in five games the next season but recorded no statistics.

Then, when everything seemed to be going right for the wideout, adversity struck again. In an August practice, he dislocated the lunates in his left wrist, forcing him to miss the first six games of the season.

“There was a point when I hurt my wrist that I didn’t know if I was going to be out the whole season, and I was like, ‘If I’m out the whole season, maybe I just don’t even want to do this anymore,’” Vines said.

Russotti said she told her son he didn’t have to keep playing, but Vines said he would “never give up until the day God says it’s over.”

Happy and healthy

Now a 6-foot, 198-pound junior, Vines is healthy and making the impact the Iowa coaching staff always knew he could.

“He’s had so much hardship,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It’s just good to see him out there playing. I think he’s having fun right now, and he’s able to practice every day. It sounds pretty mundane, but those are things he hasn’t been able to do during his career.”

In Iowa’s win over Western Michigan, Vines bullied a corner all the way down the field to lead running back Leshon Williams into the end zone.

“Whatever he was doing to that corner wasn’t nice. He was literally killing that man,” Williams said.

Vines’ first career touchdown made the day more special. Not only had Vines’ uncle passed away a few days before, but Russotti’s mother was rushed to the same hospital as Mike, where she had to have emergency surgery.

Russotti took three weeks off work to come stay in Iowa City with Vines and watch the Hawkeyes’ first three games. The receiver was more than happy that he got to spend time with his mother, whom he calls his best friend. Russotti is amazed at her son’s strength and resiliency, adding that the athlete has the “heart of a lion.”

“That’s my favorite person in the world,” Vines said of his mother. “She does eve -

rything for me. Anything I need, she’ll get done for me. And, you know, her coming out for three weeks just to watch me means the world to me.”

Russotti stayed at her son’s apartment, and Vines made sure to make her feel comfortable and welcome. Vines doesn’t drink coffee, but he bought a coffee pot and stocked up on his mom’s favorite creamer before she arrived.

Whitley recalled Vines being just as charismatic when he was in high school.

“He’s got a great heart. And he is such a family person. That’s a really cool thing that maybe on the outside, you don’t really see,” Whitley said.

One thing that is obvious on the outside, however, is Vines’ fashion taste.

The wideout is known as the fashionista of the Iowa football team. He started out young as a shoehead and eventually started asking his older sister, Jovana, for advice on all his

outfits because he liked her style.

Vines said he doesn’t spend much money on designer clothes but would rather find something that looks nice on a budget. He likes to browse through Boohoo and PacSun, occasionally dropping a bigger buck on some Amiri jeans.

Vines currently has just four receptions on the year and his lone touchdown, but the junior and the supporting staff around him are more confident now than ever in what he can accomplish.

“This young man has faced adversity at every turn,” Copeland said. “He just continued, and I give him the highest praise because there were times where my faith was starting to be challenged a little bit for him, wondering if this young man was going to be able to push through with all the stuff that was going on in his life. This guy just kept showing up every day, and he’s still the same guy. He’s still the same guy with a smile on his face.”

Grace Smith | The Daily Iowan

Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines catches a pass for a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and Western Michigan at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Sept. 16. The Hawkeyes defeated the Broncos, 41-10.

Do I love betting on an offense coming off a 76yard performance that saw a grand total of four first downs? No. But this is more of a fade of Michigan State than anything. The Spartans sit 103rd in Havoc Allowed, which means they tend to turn the ball over, which is a good omen for the Iowa “D.”

Both of these teams rank outside the top 90 in Quality Drives and Finishing Drives on offense, and neither team sits in the top 50 in Passing Success rate or Rushing Success rate. Throw in the poor QB play on both sides, and I don’t think these teams will be able to get much going.

Even after giving up 31 points last week, the Iowa defense has the potential to put on a show against Michigan State QB Noah Kim, who has thrown three picks in his last two games. The Spartans also sport a young and inexperienced secondary, which will open up holes in the passing game.

Niether of these teams have explosive offenses by any means, plus the rehiring of former Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio will make scoring a bit difficult for the Hawkeyes. In Dantonio’s last three games against the Hawkeyes, the average point total was 32.

UNDER 36.5

UNDER 36.5

Boise State owns one of the worst defenses in the nation and will get smoked by the Tigers.

The Irish are for real this year while Duke is the most overrated team in college football.

Ruden’s 2023 record: 8-4

McGowan’s 2023 record: 8-4

The Daily Iowan’s official bettor’s guide to Iowa football’s Week 5 matchup with Michigan State.

One on One: Jaziun Patterson

The Daily Iowan Sports Editor Kenna Roering spoke with the Hawkeyes’ running back at Iowa football’s media day on Aug. 11.

Kenna Roering Sports Editor mckenna-roering@uiowa.edu

The Daily Iowan: What’s your go-to hype music before a game?

Jaziun Patterson: I would have to go with NBA Youngboy. I can’t say the first word. It’s the ‘B’ word. “Let’s Do It.”

Do you like listening in your headphones or bumping it in the locker room?

I’m not gonna lie. I kind of like bumping in the locker room because it turns up all the other guys, gives them momentum. So that’s what I like to do.

You have a lot of tattoos. Do you have backstories on any of your tattoos?

Probably the one on my chest. It’s me praying to an angel. And I got, like, doves right here, and it says something like, ‘God, grant

me the serenity to do things.’ I got it for my cousin after he passed away.

If you weren’t playing football on Saturdays, how would you spend your time?

I would probably jet ski in Florida, probably down in Miami somewhere. Have a fun ATV ride. I did track, but I don’t think I would run track if I didn’t do football. So I’ll probably just be in Florida, having fun. Just kicking it with my family.

Do you have a favorite spot to eat back in your hometown?

My favorite spot to eat is a place called Juicy Crab. It’s a seafood place in Florida. And I like getting seafood boils. You got king crab, oysters. There’s a lot of seafood, and they have good sauce.

Do you have a favorite holiday meal

that you or your family cooks?

My grandma, she cooks soul food, so it’s like cornbread and collard greens. Turkey and ham — we need both of them. Stuffing and macaroni and cheese. That’s probably it.

And what’s your favorite food that they give you at the facility?

I like the steak and the shrimp because shrimp is the only thing I get close to seafood.

How would you describe your fashion style?

I like designer clothes. I like Dior, Amiri, and Gucci. But I could put on any brand of clothes as long as I got some shoes to match with them. I’d probably wear some jeans from Fashion Nova, PacSun, or H&M. I could just throw that together.

So what’s your favorite shoe brand?

Probably either Dior or Jordans. I got to

have Jordans. I grew up with the Jordans. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

I’m not going to lie, probably like 30 minutes. Like 30 minutes to an hour. If you call me and say you’re on your way, I would probably take too long. That’s what I’m known for— taking too long.

Who is your hero?

My dad. He’s just hardworking. He’s strong. He raised 16 of us. I have 15 siblings. He managed to go to work. You know, there was a lot of stuff that happened in my past, and he was able to get us out of those situations.

Find more online

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

Struggle at the helm for Michigan State football

Spartan head coach Mel Tucker was fired Wednesday amid sexual harassment allegations.

Colin Votzmeyer

Assistant Sports Editor colin-votzmeyer@uiowa.edu

In 2021, Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker became one of college football’s highest-paid coaches. Two years later, he lost his job amid sexual harassment allegations.

Tucker first signed on as the Spartans’ head coach in 2020, securing a 6-year, $33 million contract that came after just one year at the helm of the Colorado football program.

The deal with the Spartans made him the 12th-highest-paid coach in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision despite the Buffaloes going 5-7 with him in charge.

In the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020, Tucker led the Spartans to a 2-5 record.

But after leading the Spartans to an 11-2 record and ranking as high as No. 5 in the

AP Poll, Michigan State scrapped his initial contract and signed him to a 10-year, $95 million extension — the third-largest contract a public university has ever given a college football coach.

Tucker also kickstarted an initiative within the Michigan State football program to fight sexual violence in sports, and he invited educational speaker and rape survivor Brenda Tracy to visit campus and educate his athletes.

A September 2022 investigation by USA Today found Tucker and Tracy developed a professional relationship around her work. Tucker invited Tracy to East Lansing twice to speak to his players as well as a third time to be the team’s honorary captain at its 2022 spring practice game.

The USA Today investigation found, according to a complaint Tracy filed with the Michigan State Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance, Tucker allegedly made sexual comments about Tracy and masturbated without her consent while on a phone call with her on April 28, 2022, just days

after she served as captain of the practice.

The investigation found that, in Tucker’s statements to a Title IX investigator, he recognized the sexual harassment on the call but called it consensual “phone sex.”

Michigan State hired an external Title IX attorney to investigate the incident, and the investigation concluded in July.

The university suspended Tucker without pay after the USA Today investigation was published on Sept. 10, and a formal hearing is set for the week of Oct. 5 to decide if Tucker violated school policy. A ruling can take up to 60 days.

But on Sept. 18, Michigan State informed Tucker that he would be fired on Sept. 26 without compensation for the remaining years of his contract if he did not “present sufficient reason to dispute” any violations of his contract he may have committed.

On Sept. 27 Tucker was fired by Michigan State for cause. He will lose about $80 million dollars he was owed through Jan. 15, 2032.

In a statement, Tucker pointed out numerous allegations of Michigan State

mishandling the issue and called Tracy’s complaint “baseless.” He said he was “not surprised” with the university’s plans to terminate his contract and claimed “other motives are at play.”

“I can only conclude that MSU does not care about my rights, the truth, or its future liability for policing its employees’ private lives,” Tucker wrote in the statement.

Michigan State football’s secondary coach Harlon Bennett has been appointed acting interim head coach since Tucker’s suspension with longtime former Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio returning as associate head coach.

In Bennett’s first game at the helm of the program on Sept. 16, the-then No. 8 Washington Huskies trampled the Spartans, 41-7. And on Sept. 23, the Spartans fell to the Maryland Terrapins, losing 31-9.

Now 2-2, the Spartans will enter Kinnick Stadium on Saturday to take on Kirk Ferentz and the now-unranked Iowa Hawkeyes with a new focus on changing course in Tucker’s absence.

#9 Jaziun Patterson Redshirt Freshman Running Back 5-foot-10 Pompano Beach, Florida

Tucker

Cooper Worth Football Reporter

WEEK FIVE

Power Rankings

1. Michigan

With the return of head coach Jim Harbaugh, this team is rolling.

Saturday | 11 a.m. |

No. 6 Penn State (4-0, 2-0)

Northwestern (2-2, 1-1)

Ryan Field

Evanston, IL

Will Northwestern shock the college football landscape with an upset win at home? I don’t think so. Those 20 Wildcat fans are in for a letdown.

Line: Penn State -26 | O/U: 46

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

No. 2 Michigan (4-0, 1-0)

Nebraska (2-2, 0-1)

Memorial Stadium

Lincoln, NE

I bet this game used to be a lot more competitive back in the day. What happened to you, Nebraska?

Line: Michigan -18 | O/U: 40

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Illinois (2-2, 0-1)

Purdue (1-3, 0-1)

Ross-Ade Stadium

West Lafayette, IN

The battle of “mid” in the Big Ten West. If this game ended in a tie somehow, no one would be surprised, much less care for that matter.

Line: Purdue -1 | O/U: 53.5

WAGNER RUTGERS

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Wagner (2-2, 2-0)

Rutgers (3-1, 1-1)

SHI Stadium

Congrats to Rutgers on introducing me to Wagner College. The Seahawks may not dominate on the gridiron, but they put on a clinic in the field of liberal arts.

Piscataway, NJ Line: NA | O/U: NA

MICHIGAN STATE IOWA

Saturday | 6:30 p.m. |

Michigan State (2-2, 0-1)

Iowa (3-1, 0-1)

Kinnick Stadium

Iowa City, IA

After the beatdown in Happy Valley, Iowa needs this win for morale purposes almost as much as Michigan State.

Line: Iowa -11.5 | O/U: 36.5

Saturday | 11 a.m. |

Louisiana (3-1, 0-1)

Minnesota (2-2, 1-1)

Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN

Louisiana has had success offensively this season behind a strong run game. I see this contest as being closer than anticipated.

Line: Minnesota -12.5 | O/U: 47.5

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Indiana (2-2, 0-1)

Maryland (4-0, 1-0)

SECU Stadium College Park, MD

Maryland is 4-0 for the first time since 2021. That season, the Terrapins were throttled by, believe it or not, an Iowa offense that dropped 51 points.

Line: Maryland -14 | O/U: 50.5

2. Penn State

Why isn’t every home game a White Out? That’s a true home-field advantage.

3. Ohio State

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a problem.

4. Wisconsin

It had a dominant win last week on the road, but the loss of RB Chez Mellusi hurts.

5. Iowa

Iowa’s offense looked like it didn’t belong on the same stratosphere as Penn State.

6. Maryland

Taulia Tagovailoa is playing better as the season progresses. Will he drop 70 points like his bro?

7. Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights have some dogs on defense.

8. Minnesota

Everybody is talking about Coach Prime, but P.J. Fleck has some swag to him. It’s the truth.

9. Illinois

A close win over FAU leaves more questions than answers for the Illini offense.

10. Michigan State

The Spartans need to get a run game going if they want to be successful.

11. Nebraska

Rushing for over 300 yards and scoring three TDs in a game? Is this the mid 1990s?

12. Indiana

How do you go to four overtimes against Akron?

13. Northwestern

Are the Wildcats not as bad as we think?

14. Purdue

Feed Tyrone Tracy Jr. the ball.

Wyatt Rannals exudes joy

Kid Captain Wyatt Rannals shows courage when facing hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Wyatt Rannals’ favorites:

Color: Orange

Animal: Tiger

Food: All of it

Vacation Spot: Disney World

Football Team: The Hawkeyes

Football Player: Xavier Nwankpa

Julia Rhodes News Reporter julia-rhodes@uiowa.edu

Wyatt Rannals loves music. Along with his family and strength, music is one of the consistencies in the 9-year-old’s life that brings joy to a boy with a complex medical history.

At only three months old, Rannals received a heart transplant at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital that saved his life. Now years later, Rannals will take the field at Kinnick Stadium as a 2023 Kid Captain for Iowa football’s game against Michigan State.

Before Rannals was born to his parents, Monica and Jeremy Rannals, an ultrasound revealed a large cystic hygroma, which is an abnormal growth along the spine. This led to his diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning that the left side of his heart was severely underdeveloped and couldn’t adequately support his body and the blood flow it needed.

Typically, someone born with that condition would undergo a variety of surgeries, but when Wyatt was born, his heart was much weaker than expected. Monica said he was a lot sicker than his family had anticipated.

Instead of surgery, doctors determined the best option for him would be to list him for a heart transplant and try to keep him stable until one became available. While waiting for a heart, Rannals suffered a massive stroke due to a blood clot, causing a quarter of his brain to be affected.

Since the transplant, Rannals has had multiple sets of tubes in his ear and a gastronomy tube to deliver nutrients into his stomach. He also regularly par -

ticipates in physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

Rannals’ family is happy with their experience at UIHC and grateful for the expertise and kindness of the nurses, doctors, and staff there, Monica said. Jeremy says that he is always making the nurses and everyone who crosses his path laugh with his wit and joy.

Rannals said he has stayed positive and determined throughout his entire journey. He is constantly listening to music of every genre, though his latest fascination is AC/ DC. He can even connect his new hearing aids to his iPad and listen, he said.

After talking about Iowa’s pregame songs, Jeremy said “Back In Black” and “Enter Sandman” would blare at five in the morning.

“To this day he blasts music when he gets up on school days. By seven o’clock he’s playing music. Bedtime he blasts music The correct words or not? He makes up his own,” Jeremy said.

For Rannals Kid Captain song, he chose “A-O-K” by Tai Verdes, a tune that has special meaning to him and his family.

“Every single time we go to the hospital we always sing, ‘It will be a-oh-a-okay,’” Rannals said.

Rannals went to his first Hawkeye football game last season and immediately wanted to go to another, even before he knew about Kid Captain. When he found out he would have this opportunity, he said and everyone around him was ecstatic.

“When he’s faced with a new challenge and he may be nervous or scared, we always remind him, ‘Wyatt, you can do hard things,’” Rannals’ mom, Monica Rannals, said. “He’s done so many hard things his entire life and he hasn’t stopped or given up and we know that this kid can do anything he puts his mind to.”

Photo contributed by Monica Rannals of Wyatt Rannals

On The Line The

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

IOWA

IOWA

IOWA

MICHIGAN STATE

IOWA

IOWA

IOWA

These were the best teams in the Big Ten in 2015? Ain’t no way.

TEXAS

I’m very immune to my brother Kellen’s Jayhawk propaganda.

OLE

MISS

Kirk Ferentz needs to get in on those Brian Kelly recruiting vids.

TENNESSEE

Also known as the worst pickup line of all time.

NOTRE DAME

I dub this one, “The Daddy’s Money Bowl.”

ARKANSAS

If Eric Musselman was the football coach, the Hogs never lose.

It can’t get much worse than last week, right?

TEXAS

Last time I picked against Texas, it didn’t turn out so well.

OLE MISS

This is for Tony the Landshark.

This is (not) SPARTA!!!

The Spartans will get to the QB often against Iowa’s poor O-Line.

TEXAS

“Stick to basketball!”Baker Mayfield.

OLE

MISS

Anyone remember Tyrann Mathieu?

TEXAS

I’m glad to see Kansas is out of football purgatory, but Texas is legit.

OLE

MISS

Having your quarterback’s last name be Dart is too epic.

As bad as Hawkeye fans think they have it, MSU has it much worse.

If you really want to see disaster, watch Michigan State.

TEXAS

Texas. Is. Back.

TEXAS

The Jayhawks are a nice story, but they’re not winning in Austin.

LSU

I still think Jayden Daniels is a great QB.

LSU

Ole Miss squandered its chance against Alabama last week.

TEXAS

Texas is back! No, really.

TENNESSEE South Carolina’s secondary has to play better this week.

NOTRE DAME Catholics and devils don’t get along.

ARKANSAS I could care less about this game.

TENNESSEE

“Tennessee Whiskey,” by Chris Stapleton — good song.

NOTRE DAME

Sam Hartman revenge tour commenced.

TEXAS A&M

“Win or lose, we booze” - Money Manziel.

TENNESSEE

Them Gamecocks gon’ rattle behind Spencer, but Vols win at home.

DUKE

Losing in last-second fashion to the Buckeyes isn’t good momentum.

ARKANSAS

The Razorbacks will get revenge after a loss last season.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Rattler rattles the Volunteers.

NOTRE DAME

I can’t be burned by Notre Dame twice in a row ... right?

ARKANSAS

I’m a Texas A&M hater. Don’t have a big reason, just don’t like them.

TENNESSEE

Kind of a fun SEC matchup.

DUKE

The Blue Devils’ story gets even better.

ARKANSAS

An SEC tossup goes to the Hogs.

LSU Don’t mess with Mike the Tiger.

TENNESSEE

Cue “Rocky Top” as Vols cruise in this one.

NOTRE DAME Irish bounce back and spoil Duke’s football GameDay debut.

TEXAS A&M

I really thought we had seen the last of Mark Dantonio at Kinnick. VS. VS. VS. VS. VS. VS.

Jimbo Fisher comes up with a big tackle.