The Daily Iowan Pregame - 10.28.2022

NORTHWESTERN +11

I’m so happy to not be taking Iowa this week. This is simply too many points against a Hawkeye offense that has somehow gotten worse since its hor rendous start. It doesn’t happen very often, but we’ve seen inferior offenses move the ball at times against Iowa’s defense. I’ll take the double-digit un derdog in what should be a low-scoring Big Ten West showdown.

UNDER 37.5

This total opened at 31.5, which would have been the lowest non-service academy over/under since a 1995 matchup between Arizona and Oregon State. Action Network’s PRO tools have tracked seven sharp moves to the over, pushing this number to 37.5. I think that’s an appropriate number to buy back on the under.

NORTHWESTERN +11

I realize betting on Northwestern to do anything is risky. The Wildcats are 3-4 against the spread this season. But I’m so confident these teams will run, punt, and cut block each other to death that I’m picking Northwestern to cover. I just don’t see a scenario where either team scores enough points to win by double digits.

UNDER 37.5

I can’t comfortably pick the over knowing both of these teams are liable to score fewer than 10 points. Iowa and Northwestern unders are 5-2 and 4-3 this year, respectively. Quarterback unknowns and two inept offenses make me confident in this under. Bettors of this under should be labeled as thieves because they’ll be stealing money from sportsbooks come Saturday.

Schulte

Taylor

RUTGERS

Ruden’s 2022 record: 12-9

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

and statistics, read the full version of The Daily Iowan’s bettor’s guide at

Hanson’s 2022 record: 12-9

Boise State’s run-heavy

combined with Colorado State’s

PETE

AUSTIN HANSON Pregame Editor

DeJean proving to be potent weapon for Iowa football

Through the first seven games of the season, the sophomore from Odebolt, Iowa, has played multiple positions for the Hawkeye defense.

Chris Werner Assistant Sports Editor

Cooper DeJean did not cover kickoffs during his last few years at OdeboltArthur-Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School.

In close games, OABCIG assistant football coach Travis Chizek said those were typically the only plays when the Falcons’ star was not on the field.

DeJean — now a sophomore defensive back at the University of Iowa — played quarterback in his last two seasons of high school football and moved through a variety of positions when the Falcons were on defense.

DeJean thought he improved his team’s odds of winning when he was on the field for as many snaps as possible, Chizek said.

DeJean was an allstate wide receiver as a high school sophomore, breaking school records for receptions in a game,

catches and receiving yards in a season, career touchdown grabs, and total yards in a year.

When he moved to quarterback, DeJean set records for completions in a season, passing yards in a season, career passing yards, and career passing touchdowns.

OABCIG went 25-0 during DeJean’s junior and senior seasons, claiming back-toback 2A state titles.

Now, he’s getting the chance to show what he can do in college football.

jump and 100-meter dash as a senior. That same season, he was part of the Falcons’ state championshipwinning 400-meter relay team. He finished second in the 200-meter dash.

“On the track, there was just kind of a buzz whenever he was up, whenever he was competing,” said Chizek, who is also the Falcons’ head track coach. “At the smaller local meets, it was just always just a great atmosphere because people wanted to witness something … You just never knew how good it could be because he was capable of such amazing things.”

squads competed against each other to determine which captain picked the best team.

When DeJean was in fifth grade, high schoolers wanted him on their teams. “You’d hear these kids

talking about, ‘Oh, I’m going to win because I have Cooper on my team,’” Chizek said. “ … You know, it’s one thing to be, you know, so much better at a young age, but then he put in the work to continue

to be elite all the way through.”

Chizek and Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker both commended DeJean for his work ethic on the field and watching scouting tape.

DeJean was dominant on more than just the football field in his high school career. He was a three-year letterwinner on the Falcons’ baseball, basketball, and track teams.

DeJean won state championships in the long

From a young age, DeJean proved to be powerful on the basketball court. Every year, Chizek said, the OABCIG school district hosts a basketball tournament with players of all ages. High schoolers serve as captains and select players of all ages for their teams. Ultimately, the

‘The gap between him and everybody else was just so evident’

Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean runs the ball back for a pick six during a football game between Iowa and Rutgers at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J., on Sept. 24. The Hawkeyes defeated the Scarlet Knights 27-10. DeJean’s pick six was Iowa’s first touchdown of the game.

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean tackles Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka during a football game between Iowa and No. 2 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 22. The Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes, 54-10.

press conference. “Some catches that he makes during practice are what I call freakish. You know what I mean? One-handers behind and all this stuff.”

DeJean’s impressive interceptions, however, are not limited to the practice field.

DeJean recorded his second interception of this season against Nevada in the third game of the year. He showed off his roots as a wide receiver on the play, dragging his toes near the boundary to ensure his interception wouldn’t be dubbed an incomplete pass by the officiating crew.

At a Sept. 27 press conference, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said DeJean “could probably play offense pretty well … but we’ve got to use him on defense right now.”

Fantastic feel for the game

run like he can, it was just, it was just incredible.”

Chizek and Allen both recounted memories of DeJean calling audibles in all three phases of the game during his high school career.

On one play — a punt return during his junior year — DeJean and OABCIG’s other returner kept a secret from the coaches and teammates. The pair planned and successfully executed a cross-field lateral that DeJean threw almost immediately after he fielded the punt.

Allen said that play gained roughly eight more yards than it would have had DeJean just decided to run the ball back as he normally would.

The other off-kilter decision DeJean made had a greater payoff than the punt return.

“Hard worker,” Parker said of DeJean. “Always in the film room or always working. I used to see him in the summertime all the time just going out there to the indoor [practice facility] trying to work on his footwork and stuff like that.”

While DeJean averaged over 20 points per game in each of his last three seasons of high school basketball, Chizek said DeJan chose football because he was one of the best players in the state.

“Basketball, I know he was super fun to watch, and he loved it,” Chizek said. “But I just think football kind of became his thing because the gap between him and everybody else

was just so, so evident.”

An explosive athlete

From the moment DeJean stepped foot into OABCIG high school, his athleticism set him apart from everyone else.

DeJean was faster, stronger, and more wellrounded than most of his teammates. Chizek said DeJean used to “go up and catch about anything you threw near him” when he was playing wideout.

“Any time the ball was snapped, he could score,” OABCIG head football coach Larry Allen said. “I mean, you just held your breath because, you know, it could happen at any time.”

DeJean scored 137 times in three full seasons on varsity.

He recorded 12 touchdowns as a receiver his sophomore year. He added 42 touchdowns through the air and 24 on the ground as a junior. As a senior, he racked 35 passing TDs and 24 rushing scores.

The IHSAA does not factor special teams or defensive scores into its records for total touchdowns by a single player. So, DeJean’s totals in the state record books are all on offense.

DeJean didn’t set any state records on the hardwood, but Allen, who also serves as OABCIG’s athletic director, said

DeJean’s impact on the court was more qualitative than quantitative.

“He was a very good shooter but also played above the rim,” Allen said.

“He might only be 6-foot-2, but he can dunk over just about anybody.”

DeJean doesn’t play multiple sports anymore. He’s not a three-way football player, either. Still, he hasn’t lost a step athletically.

“He has great ball skills,” Parker said at an Oct. 12

Along with his superathletic talent, Chizek, Allen, and multiple Hawkeye coaches and players said DeJean has an impressive feel for and understanding of football. Some added that DeJean has excellent anticipation between the sidelines.

“His understanding and knowledge of the game, his vision was just, you know, that itself was a cheat code,” Chizek said.

“Put him in a 6-foot-2, 205-pound body that can

In OABCIG’s 2020 state semifinal game, DeJean changed a route at the line of scrimmage. With a simple hand signal, he told receiver Easton Harms to change a simple out route to a double move where the receiver went out and then turned and ran up the field.

DeJean hit the receiver for a 92-yard touchdown pass.

“We were asked after the game, ‘You guys really wanted, you know, to send a message, end the game at that point,’” Chizek said. “And we’re like, ‘Well, that wasn’t the play that was called, Cooper changed that at the line of scrimmage.’

“And this guy from the

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean tackles Nevada quarterback Nate Cox during a football game between Iowa and Nevada at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Sept. 17. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wolf Pack, 27-0.

Any time the ball was snapped, he could score. I mean, you just held your breath because it could happen at any time.

— OABCIG head coach Larry Allen

DEJEAN

Continued from 6

media was shocked,” Chizek added. “He’s like, ‘You give him that freedom?’ and we’re like well, ‘It’s worked out for us. Now for the last, you know, 23 games — however many games it had been at that time of him playing quarterback.’”

Both coaches said they gave DeJean the freedom to audible at the line because of his instincts and the work he did watching film.

“He had the freedom to work with his receivers that, you know, we’d call the play and then he would adjust to what he thought they could do,” Allen said. “And there were times when they would ask me, ‘What’s the play?’ So, I’d tell them the play. Then, they’d tell me, ‘Well, that’s not what they ran.’ I said, ‘Well, Cooper

Allen added DeJean has told him playing quarterback was the best thing for him as a defensive back because he “understood what the offense was trying to do, and that allowed him to play so freely back there and anticipate so well.”

DeJean’s understanding of opposing offenses was on full display when the Hawkeye sophomore collected his third interception against Rutgers on Sept. 24.

With just over 5:30 left in the first quarter, DeJean picked off an Evan Simon pass via an over the shoulder grab. He returned the ball 45 yards for a touchdown

On the runback, DeJean crossed the field from left to right, dodging tacklers and setting up multiple blockers along the way.

After joking that his block

DeJean said his instincts kicked in as soon as he

“I caught the ball on one hash, so I knew everybody would come to that side, lineman, those big boys,” DeJean said. “So, I just cut back to the other side of the field and saw there was a lot

me about him,” Chizek said. “One of the things he talked about was how well and soft-spoken [DeJean] was. He goes, ‘A lot of times, we go into these smaller high schools and the Division I guys are a little bit louder, more arrogant, very ‘Look at me.’ And he’s like, ‘He doesn’t have any of that.’”

According to DeJean’s 247Sports profile, Iowa was the only Power Five school to offer him a scholarship.

best at whatever he was doing,” Allen said. “He worked extra hard to be prepared.”

Allen said DeJean kept an even-keel disposition while competing that also contributed to his success.

On the basketball court, Allen added DeJean would ‘dunk over everybody’ and then just go play defense without showboating or trash-talking.

Allen, Chizek, and Ferentz each used the word “humble”

Chizek was the main contact at OABCIG for multiple colleges during

“There was a coach that came in and talked to him for just a few minutes and then he wanted to talk to

The four-star recruit also received offers from Illinois State, South Dakota State, and North Dakota State.

Allen said DeJean’s work ethic and humble nature stemmed from an underlying ambition to excel.

“He had a burning desire to be successful, to be the

Away from sports, DeJean didn’t carry himself like a normal state championship-winning, four-sport athlete either.

“He had all these accolades but you would never know that by his actions,” Allen said. “He is very content to sit in the

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker speaks with media during an Iowa football press conference for the team’s coordinators at the Hansen Football Performance Center in Iowa City on Oct. 12.

0 Diante Vines WR 6-0 198

Danbury, CT

1 Xavier Nwankpa DB 6-2 210 Fr Pleasant Hill, IA

1 Aaron Blom K 5-11 189

Oskaloosa, IA

2 Kaleb Johnson RB 6-0 212 Fr Hamilton, OH

2 Terry Roberts DB 5-10 182 Sr Erie, PA

3 Carson May QB 6-3 221 Fr Jones, OK

3 Cooper DeJean DB 6-1 209

4 Leshon Williams RB 5-10 210

4 Koen Entringer DB 6-0 199

5 Joe Labas

5 Jestin Jacobs

6 Keagan Johnson

6-4 207

6-4 238

6-1 194

6 TJ Hall DB 6-0 183

7 Spencer Petras

6-5

7 Reggie Bracy DB 6-0 209

8 Alex Padilla

6-1

8 Deshaun Lee DB 5-10

9 Jaziun Patterson RB 5-10 188

9 Tory Taylor P 6-4 230

10 Arland Bruce IV WR 5-10 198

11 AJ Lawson DB 6-0 193

Odebolt, IA

Chicago, IL

Ypsilanti, MI

Brecksville, OH

Englewood, OH

Bellevue, NE

Fresno, CA

San Rafael, CA

Mobile, AL

Greenwood Village, CO

Belleville, MI

Pompano Beach, FL

Melbourne, Australia

Olathe, KS

Decatur, IL

12 Jaxon Rexroth DB 6-2 213 #Fr Cedar Rapids, IA

Craddieth

Kumm

Friedrichsen

Gaven

Deavin Hilson

Kael Kolarik

Wetjen

Hartlieb

Waverly,

Humboldt,

Rapids,

Belleville,

Iowa City,

North Augusta,

Urbandale,

Kentfield,

Moines,

Indianola,

Williamsburg,

Rapids,

0 Cole Freeman QB 6-0 205 #Fr Summit, NJ

0 Coco Azema DB 5-11 185 Jr Cypress, TX

1 Raymond Niro III WR 5-10 190 Sr Barrington, IL

2 Cameron Mitchell DB 6-0 195 Jr Bolingbrook, IL

3 Ryan Hilinski QB 6-3 225 Jr Orange, CA

3 Jaheem Joseph DB 5-10 190 Jr Miami Gardens, FL

4 Cam Porter RB 5-10 220 Jr Cincinnati, OH

4 Wendell Davis Jr. LB 6-2 240 Jr Richmond, VA

5 Jacob Gill WR 6-0 190 #Fr Raleigh, NC

6 Malik Washington WR 5-9 192 Sr Lawrenceville, GA

7 Anthony Tyus III RB 6-1 225 #Fr Portage, MI

7 Ore Adeyi DB 5-11 190 #Fr Mansfield, TX

8 Wayne Dennis Jr. WR 6-3 200 Jr Tampa, FL

8 Ryan Johnson DL 6-4 280 Sr Axis, AL

9 Carl Richardson QB 6-4 207 Jr Salinas, CA

9 Jeremiah Lewis DB 6-1 190 Sr Lewisville, TX

10 Brendan Sullivan QB 6-3 212 #Fr Davison, MI

10 Theran Johnson DB 6-0 170 #Fr Indianapolis, IN

11 Andrew Clair RB 5-11 202 Sr St. Louis, MO

11 A.J. Hampton Jr. DB 5-11 180 Sr Warren, AR

12 Jack Lausch QB 6-2 190 Fr Chicago, IL

12 Nigel Williams DB 6-1 192 Jr Richmond, VA

13 Preston Bacon WR 6-2 195 Jr Oak Hill, VA

Hollis, Jr.

Johnson II

Kirtz

Hooper

Wallace

Fleurima

Himon II

Carrington

6-2

6-0

6-0

6-0

6-5

6-4

6-2

5-9

Jr Nashville, TN

New Haven, CT

French Camp, MS

Brownsburg, IN

Jr Houston, TX

Pickerington, OH

Naperville, IL

Fr Little Rock, AR

Halkyard LS 6-3 200

Coleman

6-3

Glen Ellyn, IL

Greenville, SC

Port Chester, NY

O'Rourke DL 6-6 265 Sr Mokena, IL

47 Luke Akers P 6-1 180 Jr Nashville, TN

48 Owen Bergin LB 5-10 210 Jr Bloomfield Hills, MI

Jacob Tabibian K 5-9 185 #Fr Lafayette, CA

50 P.J. Spencer DL 6-2 275 Jr Prairie Village, KS

51 Miles Crutchley LB 6-1 220 Fr Scottsdale, AZ

52 Jordan Butler DL 6-2 316 Jr North Las Vegas, NV

53

Cameron DL 6-3 245 Jr Clayton, OH

54 Henrik Barndt DL 6-5 285 Sr Arvada, CO

55 Conrad Rowley OL 6-4 308 Sr Independence, MO

56 Josh Thompson OL 6-5 310 #Fr Fenton, MI

57 Greyson Metz LB 6-3 216 Jr Glen Ellyn, IL

58 Peyton Warford DL 6-3 220 Fr Woodside, CA

60 Carmine Bastone DL 6-2 266 #Fr St. Charles, IL

62 Max Skidmore OL 6-7 270 Jr Spokane Valley, WA

63 Dom D'Antonio OL 6-4 290 Jr Woodstock, GA

65 Jackson Carsello OL 6-4 270 #Fr Northbrook, IL

66 Braeden Edwards OL 6-6 280 #Fr West Des Moines, IA

68 Josh Priebe OL 6-5 308 Jr Niles, MI

69 Charlie Schmidt OL 6-4 308 Sr Libertyville, IL

71 Ben Wrather OL 6-6 310 Jr Powell, OH

72 Caleb Tiernan OL 6-7 315 #Fr Livonia, MI

73 Deuce McGuire OL 6-5 300 Fr Chicago, IL

74 Nick Herzog OL 6-4 270 Fr Stilwell, KS

75 Vincent Picozzi OL 6-4 310 Sr Collegeville, PA

76 Ethan Wiederkehr OL 6-5 295 Sr Wading River, NY

77 Peter Skoronski OL 6-4 315 Jr Park Ridge, IL

78 Luka Trifunovic OL 6-4 293 Jr Carlsbad, CA

79 Zachary Franks OL 6-6 305 Jr Baltimore, MD

80 Donny Navarro III WR 5-11 185 Sr Naperville, IL

81 Chris Petrucci TE 6-4 210 Fr Park Ridge, IL

82 Jasper Stratton WR 6-0 180 #Fr Los Angeles, CA

83 Blake Van Buren TE 6-4 210 Fr Middleton, WI

84 Hunter Welcing TE 6-3 242 Jr Deer Park, IL

85 Jack Kennedy WR 6-0 201 Jr Cleveland Heights, OH

86 Lawson Albright TE 6-5 225 #Fr Greensboro, NC

87 Thomas Gordon TE 6-5 240 Jr Houston, TX

88 Marshall Lang TE 6-4 235 Jr Cincinnati, OH

89 Charlie Mangieri TE 6-4 250 Sr Peoria, IL

90 Taishan Holmes DL 6-3 315 Sr Tappahannock, VA

90 Adam Stage K 5-11 195 Sr Appleton, WI

91 Aidan Hubbard DL 6-4 235 #Fr Cleveland, OH

92 Jack Olsen K 5-11 190 Jr Wheaton, IL

93 Brendan Flakes DL 6-4 260 Fr Winter Garden, FL

94 Jason Gold Jr. DL 6-3 285 Sr League City, TX

95 Najee Story DL 6-4 250 #Fr Solon, OH

96 Austin Firestone DL 6-5 260 Fr Niceville, FL

97 Sean McLaughlin DL 6-6 275 Jr Frankfort, IL

98 Duke Olges DL 6-4 260 Jr Winnetka, IL

99 Adetomiwa Adebawore DL 6-2 280 Sr Kansas Flat, MT

99 Hunter Renner P 6-2 207 Jr Mishawaka, IN

DEJEAN

background. You know, he’s not going to tell you how good he is or speak about his skills or anything like that. He’s just going to let his actions speak for him.”

DeJean’s actions won over the trust and belief of his teammates.

On top of working

tirelessly on individual skills, Allen said DeJean would also set up training sessions with his football teammates away from organized practice.

“When he was a receiver, as a sophomore, he would always go out early,” Allen said. “He and the quarterback would work together. Then, as a junior and senior when he was the quarterback,

he was always getting kids together. Whether it be in the offseason or in camp, before practice, or whatever.

“He just had that innate ability to get kids to want to be better. He didn’t have to make them come or anything like that. It was just, ‘Hey, Coop wants us to do it,’ and the kids really believed in him.”

Although the Iowa sophomore may not be a bonafide leader in the Iowa defensive back room just yet — seniors Riley Moss, Terry Roberts, and Merriweather are set in guiding roles this season — Ferentz said DeJean has been a steady force off the field for his team.

While leading the Hawkeyes in interceptions,

solo tackles, and pass breakups, the 19-year-old has been consistently trying to improve.

“He’s the same guy every day,” Ferentz said after Iowa’s game against Rutgers. “ … He’s just one of those guys. He’s just really grounded. He’s just really steady, very humble and, you know, a lot of really good players I’ve

been around, that seems to be one of the trademarks. You know, they’re really humble guys. And, you know, I think he’s probably thinking about what he can do to get better, but, you know, it’s been impressive. Watching him play is impressive.

“He’s just a football player.”

Continued from 7

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive backs Cooper DeJean and Kaevon Merriweather and linebacker Jay Higgins tackle Michigan running back Blake Corum during a football game between Iowa and No. 4 Michigan at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Oct. 1.

Big Ten West was scary before Halloween.

Saturday | 11:00 a.m.

No. 2 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0) Penn State (6-1, 3-1)

Beaver Stadium University Park, PA

Line: Ohio State -15.5 O/U: 62

OHIO STATE PENN STATE NEBRASKA

Saturday | 2:30 p.m.

Illinois (6-1, 3-1)

Nebraska (3-4, 2-2)

Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE

Line: Illinois -7.5 O/U:

This game features two top 15 teams. On paper, that sounds pretty cool. But in reality, these teams are in different classes, and the Nittany Lion will be roadkill by the time this one’s over.

RUTGERS MINNESOTA

Saturday | 1:30 p.m. |

Rutgers (4-3, 1-3)

Minnesota (4-3, 1-3)

Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN

Line: Minnesota -14 O/U: 40.5

NORTHWESTERN

A few weeks ago, I didn’t think this game would be competitive. Now, this might be the most hotly contested Big Ten game of the day. Of course, Iowa and Northwestern might have something to say about that.

The Fighting Illini can basi cally secure a Big Ten West Division title with a win on Saturday. I grew up in Illi nois, so seeing the Illini play well warms my heart a little. I was forced to watch them struggle for the first 18 years of my life.

Saturday | 2:30 p.m.

Northwestern (1-6, 1-3)

Iowa (3-4, 1-3)

Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA Line: Iowa -11 O/U: 37.5

I’m using all the fire analogies I can to describe this game. I’m calling it the barnburner, dumpster fire, tire fire, forest fire, eye-burning game of the week. This matchup should honestly just be banished to 11 a.m. at Ryan Field every year.

Austin Hanson austin-hanson@uiowa.edu

Isaac Goffin Football Reporter

The Daily Iowan: Could you explain what it’s like be ing a part of the Iowa foot ball program?

Quinn Schulte: Yeah, it’s just something not a lot of people get to do. It’s definitely a life-rewarding experience, and it’s an hon or just to be connected to past Hawkeyes and future Hawkeyes.

DI: What’s it like coming here from your hometown?

Schulte: Yeah, it’s great. Being from Cedar Rapids, being so close to home, a lot of family and friends that are nearby that help support you.

DI: What are your favorite spots around Iowa City?

Schulte: I guess I’d prob ably have to go with Airlin er pizza, maybe. So, I guess that’s what I would say.

DI: Anything else?

Schulte: Gosh, I don’t even know. Honestly, I don’t go downtown a whole lot. So, I don’t really go out to a lot of restaurants.

DI: Yeah, I live downtown, and I don’t go out a lot as well. I’m a big fan of the NCAA Football video games.

How would you rate yourself if you were in that game?

Schulte: I have no idea. Honestly, just a lot to im prove on. I have no idea what the ratings are. I don’t have an Xbox or anything, so I don’t know.

DI: What do you like to do outside of football?

Schulte: Outside of foot ball, I honestly, I like to just

hang out with my family and friends. In the summer, I like to golf. I think a lot of peo ple like to do that, but just kind of play other sports.

DI: Where do you like to golf at?

Schulte: Usually up in Cedar Rapids. Mainly the public courses. Ellis, back when they had Jones, and I guess Twin Pines too.

DI: What would you say is your favorite sport outside of football?

Schulte: I always said it was basketball growing up. I just like the sport, like play ing basketball.

DI: What’s your favor ite professional basketball team?

Schulte: The [Dallas] Mavericks.

DI: Why?

Schulte: My brother was a big Dirk Nowitzki fan growing up, and I kind of followed him and became [one]. Appreciated Jason Kidd when they made their title run.

DI: Have you seen the Mavericks in-person yet?

Schulte: I have actually.

We went down and watched them versus Golden State and Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] back when they played. That was a cool experience.

DI: When was this?

Schulte: This was, I think, Luka [Dončić’s] first year, Dirk’s last year, may be.

DI: How would you rate yourself on the court?

Schulte: I don’t know. I just try to go out there, be a kind of facilitator, team player.

DI: That’s kind of me on the basketball court as well. What do you want to do outside of football after you graduate?

Schulte: I’m pre-dental right now, so hopefully be come a dentist.

DI: Anything else you want to add?

Schulte: No.

DI: Thank you.

Schulte: Appreciate it.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Daily Iowan Football Reporter Isaac Goffin chatted with Schulte at a media availability session on Sept. 13.

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive back Quinn Schulte tackles Ohio State running back Treveyon Henderson during a football game between Iowa and No. 2 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 22. The Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes, 54-10.

with Iowa free safety Quinn Schulte

Clements excited to be Homecoming Kid Captain

The 9-year-old from Camanche lost vision in her right eye and partial vision in her left eye because of a brain tumor.

Rin Swann Projects Reporter

Elyna Clements has al ways been an active kid. The 9-year-old resident of Camanche, Iowa, enjoys gym class, reading on her tablet, and adding to her collection of squishmallows.

Now in fourth grade, Cle ments will step into Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 29 as the Kid Captain for Iowa football’s Homecoming game against Northwestern on Saturday.

In 2021, Elyna was diag nosed with craniopharyngi oma — a rare type of brain tumor that affects only 0.5 to two people per million every year. Before her diagnosis, Elyna’s parents, Stephen and Erika Clements, said she was a healthy kid.

“She was growing,” Clem ents said. “She was healthy. She was active. This tumor kind of takes over the pitu itary gland, so there are some kind of indicators, but she had none of those.”

Elyna’s first symptoms — painful and watery eyes — appeared in early winter 2020. By Christmas break, she began to complain of head aches. Around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, she also began to feel disoriented.

Clements scheduled an eye doctor appointment after Elyna’s symptoms didn’t go away. When she pulled Elyna from school for the visit, she expected her to return before the end of the day.

with her optic nerve and im mediately sent Elyna to her local hospital for an MRI. The doctors discovered a mass on her brain and sent her to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Two days later, she was in surgery.

“When I heard I was going to have surgery, I was scared,” Elyna said. “I just thought I would go to the eye doctor and get some eye drops then

vous and a little confused. I didn’t know what was wrong.”

The operation Elyna un derwent to have the tumor removed took nearly nine hours. Before the surgery, Elyna already lost vision in her right eye. After the proce dure, she also lost peripheral and lower vision in her left eye.

“We’re certainly thank ful for having the university hospital this close for us and

sion,” Stephen said.

Following the surgery, Ely na spent 15 days in recovery and celebrated her eighth birthday in the hospital. Af terward, she returned for frequent visits and has re mained tumor-free since the operation. She celebrated the one-year anniversary of the procedure at an Iowa wom en’s basketball game with her family this past January.

“I’m doing good now,” Ely

than other people, but I feel like I’m doing good in school … And I have a lot of friends who like to help me and really care about me.”

The Clements family learned she would be the Kid Captain of the Homecom ing game in May. The night before the game, her family plans to have a small tail gate and explore Iowa City, including shopping, eating ice cream, and buying squish

Elyna is especially excited to root for her new favorite player, fullback Monte Potte baum. During Kids’ Day at Kinnick, she walked out of the Hawkeyes’ tunnel with Potte baum.

“We really appreciate ev erything, the time and the ef fort that was put into this pro gram because it really means a lot to the kids and their fami lies,” Clements said.

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan

Kid Captain Elyna Clements waits for autographs during Iowa football’s Kids’ Day at Kinnick in Iowa City on Aug. 13.

TENNESSEE

Battle

TENNESSEE

Please

TENNESSEE

The

OHIO STATE

Steve Batterson’s Week 9 AP

ballot rightfully has OSU at No. 1.

OKLAHOMA STATE

I already regret this pick.

MARSHALL

Go watch “We Are Marshall” if you haven’t seen it.

OHIO STATE

Battle of the Big Ten States (we don’t count Michigan State).

OKLAHOMA STATE

Whoever wins this gets to absorb the other state.

MARSHALL

You’d think this is the weekly dumpster fire, but you’re wrong.

OHIO STATE

I mean, we all saw the game last week, right?

KANSAS STATE

I can finally root for Adrian Martinez.

MARSHALL

The Thundering Herd are on a one-game winning streak.

TENNESSEE

OHIO STATE

Just another game en route to facing Michigan.

TENNESSEE

Hendon

OHIO STATE

Nobody is stopping Ohio State’s offense.

TENNESSEE

5-0

OHIO STATE

5-0 last week.

Vols

TENNESSEE

game with No. 1 Georgia.

OHIO STATE

It’s Ohio State, Michigan, and then everyone else.

I’ll pick these Wildcats to win. OKLAHOMA STATE

KANSAS STATE

MARSHALL

Where Randy Moss played college football.

Spencer Sanders torches this Kansas State defense.

COASTAL CAROLINA

Fun fact, I’ve played on CCU’s basketball court ... in Davenport, Iowa.

OKLAHOMA STATE

5-0 again? Probably. OKLAHOMA STATE

COASTAL CAROLINA

I’ll go 5-0 again this week.

Too many points will be scored in this one for my liking.

COASTAL CAROLINA

Glad the NFL Network has this game covered.

AUSTIN HANSON Pregame Editor (17-18)

CHRIS WERNER

Sports Editor (21-14)

ISAAC GOFFIN Football Reporter (24-11)

CHLOE PETERSON Sports Editor (23-12)

MICHAEL MERRICK

Sports Director (23-12)

JOHN BOHNENKAMP Sports Writing Coach (25-10)

JASON BRUMMOND Publisher (22-13)