The Daily Iowan Pregame - 10.29.2021

PREGAME The Daily Iowan

Saturday, October 30 Iowa vs. Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium

BEST IN THE WEST? Iowa hasn’t won the Big Ten West since 2015 but controls its destiny back to Indianapolis this season.

2 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021

Iowa Starters

WITH IOWA OG KYLER SCHOTT Daily Iowan Football Reporter Chris Werner chatted with Schott, the Hawkeyes’ starting left guard, at an Iowa football media availability session.

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

3 84 78 64 65 77 56 89 7 15 38 10

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Sam LaPorta Mason Richman Kyler Schott Tyler Linderbaum Connor Colby Nick DeJong Nico Ragaini Spencer Petras Tyler Goodson Monte Pottebaum Caleb Shudak

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

201 249 296 294 290 298 292 191 233 199 246 178

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

LE DT DT RE CASH MLB WLB LC SS FS RC P

92 99 85 97 4 31 44 8 26 28 22 9

John Waggoner Noah Shannon Logan Lee

6-5 6-0 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-4

266 289 277 267 205 243 229 185 211 204 180 231

JR. JR. SO. SR. JR. JR. JR. SR. JR. SR. JR. SO.

Zach VanValkenburg

Dane Belton Jack Campbell Seth Benson Matt Hankins

Kaevon Merriweather

Jack Koerner Terry Roberts Tory Taylor

Wisconsin Starters

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa guard Kyler Schott (center) observes the national anthem during a football game between Iowa and Kent State at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 18.

The Daily Iowan: We’ll start with the fans. Would you rather play in front of a striped crowd, a blackout, or all gold?

Kyler Schott: Gotta go with blackout. I think it just sets a different tempo.

DI: So, as an offensive lineman, it seems like one of those positions in football where nobody really pays attention to it, at least the casual football fan. Do you kind of take ownership in that, like, you’re kind of in the trenches?

STAFF

Schott: Yeah, absolutely, like, if we lose we’re gonna get blamed, maybe, and if we win, we won’t get any attention. And that’s something that we know, that’s something we embrace.

DI: Yeah, and what kind of drew you to Iowa out of high school? It seems like playing offensive line at Iowa is pretty special.

Schott: It was my only option. It was either here or DIII so I decided to go here.

DI: Is playing offensive line at Iowa something different than maybe playing somewhere else?

Schott: I think there’s a lot of attention because of the history at Iowa. So there’s a lot of attention given to us for sure.

Read the full story at dailyiowan.com.

Publisher Jason Brummond

Managing Editors Rylee Wilson, Josie Fischels

Business Manager Debbie Plath

Executive Editor Caleb McCullough

Managing Digital Editor Kelsey Harrell

Advertising Director Juli Krause

Pregame Editor Robert Read

Photo Editors Jerod Ringwald, Grace Smith

Production Manager Heidi Owen

Football Reporters Austin Hanson, Chloe Peterson, Chris Werner

DITV Sports Director Destinee Cook

Front design by Robert Read Front photo by Jerod Ringwald

Questions or comments for the Pregame staff? E-mail Pregame Editor Robert Read at robert-read@uiowa.edu.

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

5 6 44 3 7 84 65 70 75 79 60 19

Graham Mertz Chez Mellusi John Chenal Dendric Pryor Danny Davis Jake Ferguson Tyler Beach Josh Seltzner Joe Tippmann Jack Nelson Logan Bruss Collin Larsh

6-3 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-5 6-6 6-4 6-6 6-7 6-5 5-10

227 204 256 189 196 244 312 310 320 304 315 194

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

DE NT DE OLB ILB ILB OLB CB SS FS CB P

92 95 99 19 57 5 41 1 18 9 21 38

Matt Henningsen Keeanu Benton Isaiah Mullens Nick Herbig Jack Sanborn Leo Chenal Noah Burks Faion Hicks Collin Wilder Scott Nelson Caesar Williams Andy Vujnovich

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

291 317 297 227 236 261 245 192 199 205 188 230

SR. JR. JR. SO. SO. SR. JR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SR.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021 - 3

4 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021

Ohio State on top?

It’s all come full circle.

CHLOE PETERSON

chloe-peterson@uiowa.edu

No. 6 MICHIGAN @ No. 8 MSU

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Ohio State

The Buckeyes have taken their rightful spot at the top of the Big Ten.

Michigan

How is the Big Ten East so much better than the West?

michigan state The third of the undefeated teams in the Big Ten East.

iowa

Best team in the West, but that ain’t saying much.

penn state

WE ARE losing in nine overtimes.

MINNESOTA

Iowa’s singular contender for the Big Ten West title.

Wisconsin

The Badgers are aggressively decent.

8 9

Saturday | 11 a.m.

Saturday | 2:30 p.m.

purdue

David Bell clapped Iowa, then proceeded to be clapped by Wisconsin.

Illinois

Nine-overtime win? Ninth in the standings.

10 nebraska

Cyring but thriving down at the bottom of the West.

11

INDIANA @ MARYLAND

maryland

Everything went downhill for the Terrapins after Spencer Petras had his singular good game there.

Line: MD -2.5 | O/U: 50.5

Line: MICH -3.5 | O/U: 51

Big Noon Kickoff is there for a game that’s actually going to be at noon (Eastern Time).

No. 9 IOWA @ WISCONSIN Saturday | 11 a.m.

Line: WISC -3.5 | O/U: 37

All I want is a Danny Vanden Boom sighting at Camp Randall Stadium this weekend.

RUTGERS @ ILLINOIS

Remember when both of these teams received votes in the AP Poll? Good times.

MINNESOTA @ NORTHWESTERN Saturday | 2:30 p.m.

Line: MINN -7.5 | O/U: 43.5

Tickets for this game are going for as low as five dollars.

Five. Dollars.

PURDUE @ NEBRASKA

Saturday | 11 a.m.

Saturday | 2:30 p.m.

12 Indiana 13 14

Who told Indiana that starting their fifth-string QB would end well?

rutgers

I am once again asking who let Rutgers into this conference.

Northwestern Bad.

Line: RUTG -1.0 | O/U: 43

Rutgers is favored when Illinois won against a ranked team in nine overtimes? The disrespect.

Line: NEB -7.0 | O/U: 49

I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Nebraska actually favored in a game.

No. 20 PENN STATE @ No. 5 OHIO STATE Saturday | 2:30 p.m.

Line: OSU -17.5 | O/U: 59.5

The Penn State football writers will truly hate their lives if it goes to nine overtimes again.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021 - 5

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6 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021

IOWA HAWKEYES vs. W

0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 21 21 22 23 25 25 26 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 32 32 33 34 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40

Diante Vines Aaron Blom Nolan Donald Ryan Gersonde Deuce Hogan Cooper DeJean Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Dane Belton Leshon Williams Jestin Jacobs Joey Labas Keagan Johnson Reggie Bracy Spencer Petras Matt Hankins Alex Padilla Tory Taylor Arland Bruce IV Caleb Shudak AJ Lawson Jaxon Rexroth Joe Evans Henry Marchese Brody Brecht Quavon Matthews Dallas Craddieth Tyler Goodson Jamison Heinz Charlie Jones Brenden Deasfernandes Max White Austin Spiewak Alec Wick Gaven Cooke Max Cooper Deavin Hilson Thomas Hartlieb Ivory Kelly-Martin Terry Roberts Xavior Williams Kelby Telander Gavin Williams Kaevon Merriweather Jermari Harris Jack Johnson Jack Koerner Sebastian Castro Jackson Ritter Quinn Schulte Jack Campbell Eli Miller Johnny Plewa Riley Moss Zach Brand Jay Higgins Justice Sullivan Mike Timm Kyler Fisher Monte Pottebaum Eric Epenesa Turner Pallissard Josef Smith

WR K WR P QB DB WR DB RB LB QB WR DB QB DB QB P WR K DB DB DE DB WR WR DB RB DB WR DB RB LS WR DB WR RB DB RB DB DB LB RB DB DB WR DB DB WR DB LB LB FB DB RB LB LB LB DB FB LB FB LB

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

IOWA

193 190 194 197 212 203 201 205 205 236 194 197 206 233 185 197 231 193 178 192 193 248 199 205 180 205 199 205 188 189 187 237 180 189 191 192 195 200 180 192 208 211 211 185 193 204 204 214 201 243 212 235 194 198 227 233 233 225 246 189 245 221

#Fr #Fr Soph Sr #Fr Fr Jr Jr #Fr Soph Fr Fr Soph Jr Sr Soph Soph Fr Sr #Fr Fr Jr Sr Fr #Fr Jr Jr #Fr Sr #Fr Fr Sr Fr Fr Sr Fr Soph Sr Jr Sr Fr #Fr Jr Soph #Fr Sr Soph Soph Soph Jr Fr Soph Sr Fr Soph Fr Jr Soph Jr Fr Jr #Fr

Danbury, CT Oskaloosa, IA Morton, IL Milwaukee, WI Southlake, TX Odebolt, IA Indianapolis, IN Tampa, FL Chicago, IL Englewood, OH Brecksville, OH Bellevue, NE Mobile, AL San Rafael, CA Lewisville, TX Greenwood Village, CO Melbourne, Australia Olathe, KS Council Bluffs, IA Decatur, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Ames, IA Vernon Hills, IL Ankeny, IA Largo, FL St. Louis, MO Suwanee, GA Humboldt, IA Deerfield, IL Belleville, MI Cedar Rapids, IA Rolling Meadows, IL Iowa City, IA Kentfield, CA Waukesha, WI Des Moines, IA Madison, WI Plainfield, IL Erie, PA Burlington, IA North Liberty, IA Altoona, IA Belleville, MI Chicago, IL West Des Moines, IA Des Moines, IA Oak Lawn, IL Frankfort, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Falls, IA Sedalia, CO Franklin, WI Ankeny, IA Grimes, IA Indianapolis, IN Eden Prairie, MN Delafield, WI Farnhamville, IA Larchwood, IA Glen Carbon, IL Frankfort, IL Britt, IA

41 42 42 43 44 44 45 45 46 47 48 48 49 49 50 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 63 64 65 66 67 69 70 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 80 81 82 83 84 85 85 86 86 87 88 88 89 91 92 94 95 96 97 97 98 99

Jaden Harrell Denin Limouris Zach Twedt Karson Sharar Seth Benson Luke Elkin Deontae Craig Nick Phelps Logan Klemp Wyatt Wegener Max Llewellyn Bryce Schulte Ethan Hurkett Andrew Lentsch Zach Kluver Louie Stec Jeremiah Pittman Asher Fahey Michael Myslinski Matt Fagan Luke Empen Nick DeJong Clayton Thurm Taylor Fox Griffin Liddle Justin Britt Kyler Schott Tyler Linderbaum Jeremy Chaplin Gennings Dunker Tyler Endres Beau Stephens Cody Ince David Davidkov Josh Volk Tyler Elsbury Connor Colby Mason Richman Jack Plumb Josiah Miamen Brennan Sweeney Desmond Hutson Johnny Pascuzzi Jameson Witte Sam LaPorta Luke Lachey Logan Lee Jeff Bowie Tommy Kujawa Elijah Yelverton Isaiah Bruce Jackson Frericks Nico Ragaini Lukas Van Ness John Waggoner Yahya Black Logan Jones Lucas Amaya Liam Reardon Zach VanValkenburg Chris Reames Noah Shannon

LB TE/FB LB LB LB LS DL P LB LB DL TE DL TE LS DT DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL TE DE WR TE DL TE TE DL DL TE TE DL TE WR DL DL DL DL K LS DL DL DL

6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-6 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-7 6-0

231 227 229 201 229 200 263 205 234 212 232 245 261 227 199 264 303 281 278 287 289 292 281 290 267 302 294 290 268 291 295 300 282 286 308 301 298 296 296 244 243 208 224 265 249 248 277 268 236 248 281 229 191 264 266 287 282 207 218 267 270 289

Fr Fr Fr Fr Jr Fr #Fr Jr Jr #Fr Fr Sr #Fr Fr Soph Soph Fr #Fr Fr Jr Jr Soph Soph Soph Fr Soph Sr Jr Fr Fr Soph Fr Jr Fr #Fr #Fr Fr #Fr Jr Soph Fr Soph Fr #Fr Jr #Fr Soph Fr Sr #Fr #Fr Soph Jr #Fr Jr #Fr #Fr Soph #Fr Sr Soph Jr

Urbandale, IA Glen Ellyn, IL Story City, IA Iowa Falls, IA Sioux Falls, SD Neenah, WI Fort Wayne, IN Kingsley, IA Jewell, IA Algona, IA Urbandale, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Rapids, IA West Des Moines, IA Ankeny, IA LaGrange Park, IL Palatine, IL Waukon, IA Jacksonville, FL Council Bluffs, IA Clinton, IA Pella, IA Williamsburg, IA Winthrop, IA Bettendorf, IA Indianapolis, IN Coggon, IA Solon, IA Waverly, IA Lena, IA Norwalk, IA Blue Springs, MO Luck, WI Glenview, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Byron, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Leawood, KS Green Bay, WI Peoria, IL Waukon, IA Raytown, MO Olathe, KS O’Fallon, MO Highland, IL Columbus, OH Orion, IL West Branch, IA Greendale, WI Royse City, TX Lena, IL Cedar Falls, IA East Haven, CT Barrington, IL Des Moines, IA Marshall, MN Council Bluffs, IA Muskego, WI Chicago, IL Zeeland, MI Van Meter, IA Aurora, IL

WISCONSIN BADGERS

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021 - 7

0 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 22 24 25 25 26 27 27 28 28 29 29 30 30 31 32 32 34 34 36 36 37 38 39 39 41

Braelon Allen Faion Hicks Chase Wolf Ricardo Hallman Kendric Pryor T.J. Bollers Markus Allen Donte Burton Graham Mertz Leo Chenal Chez Mellusi Dean Engram Danny Davis III Spencer Lytle Deron Harrell Scott Nelson Deacon Hill Stephan Bracey Skyler Bell Alexander Smith Max Lofy Chimere Dike Preston Zachman Danny Vanden Boom John Torchio Jack Dunn Amaun Williams Darryl Peterson Collin Wilder Nick Herbig Collin Larsh Isaac Guerendo Semar Melvin Caesar Williams Jack Van Dyke Hunter Wohler Isaac Smith Jake Ratzlaff Travian Blaylock Haakon Anderson Al Ashford Gavin Meyers Antwan Roberts Brady Schipper Nate Van Zelst Alex Moeller Tyler Mais Jordan DiBenedetto Julius Davis Marty Strey Jackson Acker Ross Gengler Grover Bortolotti Jake Chaney Riley Nowakowski Andy Vujnovich Mike Gregoire Tatum Grass Noah Burks

RB CB QB CB WR LB WR CB QB LB RB CB WR LB CB S QB WR WR CB CB WR S QB S WR CB LB S LB K RB CB CB K S WR LB S WR CB K RB RB K WR S WR RB LB RB LB RB LB LB P WR LB LB

WISCONSIN 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-2 5-11 5-9 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-5 6-1 5-7 5-10 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-1 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 5-9 5-11 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2

238 192 200 173 189 258 215 183 227 261 204 168 196 230 180 205 248 184 190 176 181 199 211 207 208 176 182 247 199 227 194 219 170 188 215 201 199 206 205 209 175 190 195 205 189 166 201 193 201 234 229 225 188 222 244 230 186 231 245

Fr Sr Jr Fr Sr Fr Fr Jr Soph Jr Jr Soph Sr Soph Sr Sr Fr Soph Fr Jr #Fr Soph #Fr Sr Jr Sr #Fr Fr Sr Soph Sr Jr Soph Sr Soph Fr #Fr Fr Jr #Fr Fr #Fr Fr Jr Fr Fr Sr Jr Soph Jr Fr #Fr Fr Fr #Fr Sr Jr Soph Sr

Fond du Lac, WI Miami, FL Cincinnati, OH Miami, FL Hazel Crest, IL Tiffin, IA Dayton, OH Loganville, GA Overland Park, KS Grantsburg, WI Naples, FL Columbia, MD Springfield, OH Redondo Beach, CA Denver, CO Detroit, MI Santa Barbara, CA Grand Rapids, MI Bronx, NY Culver City, CA Colorado Springs, CO Waukesha, WI Elysburg, PA Kimberly, WI Lafayette, CA Madison, WI Milwaukee, WI Akron, OH Katy, TX Honolulu, HI Marshall, WI Clayton, IN Pembroke Pines, FL Grand Prairie, TX Neenah, WI Muskego, WI Memphis, TN Rosemount, MN Humble, TX Verona, WI Denver, CO Oshkosh, WI Nashville, TN Stoughton, WI Glenview, IL Arlington Heights, IL Waunakee, WI Stoughton, WI Menomonee Falls, WI Sun Prairie, WI Madison, WI Delavan, WI Whitefish Bay, WI Cape Coral, FL Milwaukee, WI Columbus, WI Green Bay, WI Holmen, WI Carmel, IN

43 44 45 46 47 47 48 48 49 50 50 51 52 54 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 73 74 75 75 76 77 78 79 81 82 84 85 87 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 96 97 98 99

Quan Easterling John Chenal Garrison Solliday Ayo Adebogun Jack Pugh Peter Bowden Cole Dakovich Owen Arnett Cam Large Logan Brown Izayah Green-May Bryan Sanborn Kaden Johnson Kayden Lyles Jordan Turner Maema Njongmeta Rodas Johnson Jack Sanborn Mike Maskalunas Aaron Witt Logan Bruss Dylan Barrett Cormac Sampson Tanor Bortolini Sean Timmis Duncan McKinley Tyler Beach Nolan Rucci JP Benzschawel Ben Barten Zach Zei Josh Seltzner Riley Mahlman Kerry Kodanko Michael Furtney Joe Tippmann Michael Balistreri Tommy Brunner Blake Smithback Trey Wedig Jack Nelson Jaylan Franklin Jack Eschenbach Jake Ferguson Clay Cundiff Hayden Rucci A.J. Abbott James Thompson Jr. Bryson Williams Matt Henningsen Isaac Townsend Gio Paez Keeanu Benton Cade McDonald Conor Schlichting Mike Jarvis C.J. Goetz Isaiah Mullens

FB FB LB LB TE LS TE S TE OL LB LB LB OL LB LB DE LB LB LB OL OL OL OL OL LS T OL OL OL LS OL OL OL OL OL DE DE OL OL OL TE TE TE TE TE WR DE NT DE DE DE NT DE P DE LB DE

6-3 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-5 5-11 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-8 6-6 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-8 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-7 6-7 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-4

239 256 230 214 241 230 239 215 245 311 234 229 233 312 228 227 286 236 239 249 316 303 305 306 306 222 312 294 302 303 214 310 300 301 312 320 276 254 304 315 304 240 245 244 244 260 196 290 291 291 275 310 317 278 237 274 243 297

Soph Sr Fr Fr Fr Soph #Fr Fr #Fr Soph Sr Fr #Fr Sr #Fr Soph Soph Sr Sr Soph Sr #Fr Jr #Fr #Fr Fr Sr Fr Fr #Fr Fr Sr Fr #Fr Jr Soph Sr Soph Sr #Fr #Fr Jr Jr Sr Soph Soph Jr #Fr Sr Sr Soph Soph Jr #Fr Sr Fr Jr Jr

Akron, OH Grantsburg, WI Eagan, MN Mequon, WI Columbus, OH San Diego, CA Waukesha, WI Delafield, WI Pomfret, CT Grand Rapids, MI Bolingbrook, IL Lake Zurich, IL St. Paul, MN Madison, WI Farmington, MI Buffalo Grove, IL Columbus, OH Deer Park, IL Long Grove, IL Winona, MN Appleton, WI St. Charles, IL Eau Claire, WI Kewaunee, WI Shorewood, WI Eau Claire, WI Grafton, WI Lititz, PA Grafton, WI Stratford, WI Arlington Heights, IL Columbus, WI Lakeville, MN Green Bay, WI Milan, MI Fort Wayne, IN Grafton, WI Milwaukee, WI Waunakee, WI Oconomowoc, WI Stoughton, WI Gibraltar, MI Downers Grove, IL Madison, WI Wichita, KS Lititz, PA Northville, MI Cincinnati, OH Lincoln, NE Menomonee Falls, WI Arvada, CO Los Angeles, CA Janesville, WI Houlton, WI Madison, WI Medford, NJ Muskego, WI Columbus, OH

8 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras passes the ball during a football game between then-No. 2 Iowa and Purdue at Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 16. The Hawkeyes are 7-1 this season with five games still to play.

Iowa’s quest for the West title The Hawkeyes’ goal of winning the division is still alive, even after suffering their first loss of the season against Purdue.

Chris Werner Sports Reporter

Above a set of doors and below a picture of Iowa’s iconic pregame swarm, a sentence is spelled out in gold lettering on top of a black background inside the practice field at the Hansen Football Performance Center: “The road to Indianapolis travels through these doors.”

Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is the annual home

of the Big Ten Football Championship Game. Recently, despite the reminder written out next to the program’s conference championship banners that hang on the wall near the doors to the indoor field, a trip to the title game has evaded the Hawkeyes.

While reaching the conference championship is one of the Hawkeyes’ goals every season, Iowa hasn’t made the trip to

Indianapolis as the winner of the Big Ten West division since 2015.

Wisconsin (three times) and Northwestern (twice) have represented the West since Iowa won the division six years ago.

But after a 6-1 start through the first seven games of 2021, Iowa controls its own destiny regarding the Big Ten’s biggest game: Win out and you’re the Big Ten West Champions.

“We are working on some things during this pause in our schedule as we head into our final five games,” offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz said during the bye week. “The goal is to play relevant football in November, and the rest is up to us.”

Goals still within reach Playing in Indianapolis has been a season-long goal for

the Hawkeyes every year since the conference began playing a championship game back in 2011. Reaching that goal means being the best in the West division of the Big Ten. Through seven games this season, Iowa is tied at the top of those standings.

Coming up just short of a division title has been a theme for the Hawkeyes lately — especially in close losses to

the Badgers and Wildcats in previous years.

In 2018, Northwestern clinched the division with a 14-10 win over Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. A season later, a Nate Stanley quarterback draw on a two-point conversion attempt came up just short, and Iowa lost to Wisconsin by two points to fall out of contention for the division championship.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021 - 9

Last season, even though Iowa won six-straight games to close out the COVID-19-shortened schedule, back-to-back losses to Purdue and Northwestern to start the season cost Iowa — particularly the home loss to the Wildcats, where the Hawkeyes surrendered a 17-point lead.

Northwestern represented the West in a 22-10 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the conference championship game last year.

This season, however, standing at 6-1 (3-1 in Big Ten play) with five regular season games remaining, Iowa and Minnesota co-lead the division. A matchup with the Golden Gophers in three weeks looms, but Iowa knows every game matters if the Hawkeyes want to win the West.

“A week at a time,” junior tight end Sam LaPorta told reporters on Tuesday. “We got five more and you know, if we win out, of course, we lock ourselves into [winning] the Big Ten West and Big Ten Championship Game. That’s our goal and we’re gonna try to do everything we can to get there.”

Iowa and Minnesota each have 3-1 conference records, followed by Purdue and Wisconsin at 2-2.

The Hawkeyes’ final five games to end the regular season are at Wisconsin, at Northwestern, Minnesota, Illinois, and at Nebraska.

Aside from Iowa, Minnesota closes the season with Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, while the Badgers face off against Rutgers, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

This weekend’s game against Wisconsin is pivotal — as are all five remaining regular season contests. With a win, Iowa would move to 4-1 in conference

play and drop Wisconsin to 2-3.

With a loss, both the Badgers and Hawkeyes would be 3-2 in the conference, but Wisconsin would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, taking Iowa’s fate out of its hands once again.

Junior safety Kaevon Merriweather stressed that, while every game is important, the late-season matchups hold more significance in determining standings.

“We always say that we have to win in November,” Merriweather said on Tuesday. “In the November games, it’s really important because that’s really what entails how the rest of your season’s going to go. We understand how we need to play and what we need to do.”

And the bye week almost perfectly separated the pre-November games from the rest of the season. Merriweather said his team finished their first season 6-1 and is 0-0 in the second part of this season.

Back on track That “fresh start” mindset, aided by the placement of the bye week, is something the Hawkeyes have taken to heart — especially after their worst performance and only loss of the season on Oct. 16 against Purdue.

After nearly every member of the team took some time away from football — Kyler Schott went duck hunting with some teammates on the offensive line and LaPorta played golf — the Iowa-Wisconsin showdown is an opportunity to turn the page.

LaPorta is excited to see how the Hawkeyes responds to its first setback of the season.

“It always feels good to, you know, come back and show that we can bounce back from things like that, and good

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta stiff arms Purdue linebacker Jaylan Alexander during a football game between Iowa and Purdue at Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 16. LaPorta said Iowa will take things one week at a time as the Hawkeyes play for a Big Ten West title. teams usually do,” LaPorta said.

“I mean, I don’t know if I’d say it’s a statement game, but we stubbed our toe and we’re gonna try to bounce back from it.”

Offensively, junior running back Tyler Goodson said while he used part of the week off to rest and recharge, he and his teammates worked on consistency in the running game.

Iowa has rushed for over 140 yards in three games this season but has been held under 80

Consistency is the main thing. Week in and week out, we always try to focus on consistency. But every game is not going to be what you want it to be.

— Iowa running back Tyler Goodson

yards on three other occasions.

“Consistency is the main thing,” Goodson said. “Week in and week out, we always try to focus on consistency. But every game is not going to be what you want it to be. You might play one week where you’re averaging six, eight yards a carry.

Next week you might go into a game, average three to four.

We know [Wisconsin] has a strong defensive front, so we’re expecting a good game from them.”

Keeping the Heartland The Heartland Trophy, senior offensive lineman Kyler Schott said, is one that will be won in the trenches.

Iowa regained possession of the Heartland Trophy last season after defeating Wisconsin 28-7 at Kinnick Stadium. The

Badgers had won the last four before last year’s contest. Now, the Hawkeyes want to start a streak of their own.

Iowa vs. Wisconsin is almost always a grind-it-out, smashmouth, physical game — one the Big Ten traditionalists love, and this year should be no different.

Multiple Hawkeyes said the two teams were mirrors of each other: Gritty teams that win with defense, the ground game, and an occasional playaction-pass. They each know what each other team is going to do—it’s largely a matter of execution.

Merriweather remembers marveling at the hard-hitting affair during his freshman year.

“I remember my very first Wisconsin-Iowa game,” Merriweather said. “I remember the O-line and D-line just clashing

every single play. And I was on the sideline like, ‘Lord, I don’t know how in the world I’m going to be able to ever play in a game like this.’”

While the narrative this season has been that every game is meaningful, does Merriweather get pumped up just a little more for the battle with the Badgers, particularly with all the Big Ten implications on the line?

“Oh, yeah, you got to,” Merriweather said. “You got to get extra motivation and you know, it’s a trophy on the line, something on the line for this game.

We understand that. You know, it’s a big rivalry. We don’t really want to give up the trophy. We need to go out there and you know, do what we need to do to keep it at home.”

christopher-werner@uiowa.edu

10 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021

ROBERT READ

PREGAME EDITOR (21-14)

IOWA

AUSTIN HANSON SPORTS EDITOR (25-10)

IOWA

VS.

First field goal wins.

I’m not confident about this pick.

VS.

The Wolverines will be undefeated before inevitably losing to OSU.

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN STATE

NEBRASKA

VS.

Try doubling David Bell.

OLE MISS

VS.

Lane Kiffin to USC? Wait a second...

VS.

Good game, although I can’t name any players on either team.

HOUSTON

Both these teams ain’t played nobody.

PURDUE

I knew they’d beat Iowa.

OLE MISS

I really don’t know why Auburn is ranked.

SMU

I didn’t know both these teams are in Texas.

CHLOE PETERSON

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR (19-16)

WISCONSIN

CHRIS WERNER

FOOTBALL REPORTER (20-15)

IOWA

Back to chaos? For suresies.

Hawks can, in fact, eat Badgers.

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN STATE

I just want to start this question off by saying, “Go Blue.”

PURDUE

Maybe Nebraska will learn to put two people on David Bell.

AUBURN

I can never remember what state Auburn is in.

SMU

I had to look up Houston’s conference, but I swear I know things.

Michigan let Northwestern score a whole touchdown last week.

NEBRASKA

David Bell against the world.

OLE MISS

This might be a rebellious choice.

HOUSTON

Best football team in Houston right now.

DESTINEE COOK

JOHN BOHNENKAMP

DITV SPORTS DIRECTOR (20-15) SPORTS WRITING COACH (23-12)

IOWA

IOWA

I hope Iowa’s defense works.

Bye week is over. What did the Hawkeyes learn?

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN STATE

I just dislike Michigan State so much.

PURDUE

If I had the choice to pick neither of these teams, I would.

OLE MISS

In a hotty toddy mood.

SMU

Idk what to say.

Make sure to get the Timbits at Tim Horton’s after the game.

NEBRASKA

Just another day of chaos in the Big Ten West.

OLE MISS

Rebels are a fun team to watch.

SMU

I miss the Southwest Conference.

JASON BRUMMOND PUBLISHER (25-10)

IOWA

Iowa-Wisconsin is football’s Hershey’s bar — and I love it.

MICHIGAN

Jim Harbaugh probably loves candy corn.

NEBRASKA

The Peanut Butter Kisses of the Big Ten.

OLE MISS

I’ve mustard the strength to pick the Rebels.

HOUSTON

SMU should check all trash cans just to be safe.

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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021 - 11

Kid Captain celebrates achievement with friends, family After being named a Kid Captain in 2019, Madison Williams will fulfill the position this weekend against Wisconsin.

Hannah Pinski Opinions and Amplify Editor Madison Williams is a people person. The outgoing 9-yearold is involved in Girl Scouts, enjoys singing and dancing, and loves to give hugs.

So, when her parents Stephanie and Kevin Williams told her she was going to be a Kid Captain, Madison was ecstatic.

Stephanie said she tried nominating Madison for two years before she was chosen in 2019.

Because of the pandemic, however, her Kid Captain selection was postponed until this year.

“She was super excited when we told her,” Stephanie said. “She was jumping up and down, and her face instantly lit up as soon as we shared the news.”

While Madison won’t step into Kinnick on Saturday because the Hawkeyes are playing Wisconsin in Madison this weekend, the Williams family is planning to have a tailgate at their house with family and friends.

Outside of cheering on the Hawkeyes, some of Madison’s favorite activities are selling Girl Scout cookies and participating in the Miss Amazing Pageant — a national program for women and girls with disabilities.

Madison does these activities with a smile on her face despite her health challenges.

Madison had multiple health concerns when she was born

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa Kid Captain Madison Williams watches head coach Kirk Ferentz sign a football during “Kid’s Day at Kinnick” inside Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 14. five weeks early in Des Moines.

She was born with Oculo Auriculo Frontonasal Syndrome — a rare congenital malformation.

This has caused multiple face anomalies, including cleft lip and palate, deformed nostrils, and malformed eyes.

The day after Madison was born, she was transferred to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital because the doctors believed that’s where she would receive the best care.

She had to stay in the neonatal

intensive care unit for more than three months. Madison received a gastronomy tube for feeding and underwent a tracheostomy to aid her breathing.

She was finally able to return home after five months.

When Madison was 3 years old, she was the first patient at the hospital to have vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib rods implanted in her back.

Stuart L. Weinstein, the Ignacio V. Ponseti Chair and professor of orthopedic surgery, is Mad-

ison’s orthopedic surgeon. He said it was a life-saving procedure. Weinstein, who practices taking care of children with spinal deformities, said Madison has such an unusual deformity that the usual implants and surgeries wouldn’t aid her situation.

Before the surgery, Weinsten said her chest couldn’t grow, which didn’t allow her lungs to grow, as well.

“This device, called the veptr, had been developed a number

of years before, specifically for children like Madison,” Weinstein said. “And she was the first person that I thought of in my years of practice would only benefit from this particular implant.”

The rods in her back help straighten her back and separate her ribs so they can grow as she does. Weinstein said Madison has to return to the UI Stead Family Hospital a couple times a year to check on the rods.

Most of the time, it is to enlarge

the rod as she grows. Madison has also received completely new rods.

Since the implementation, Madison has received seven additional surgeries. Weinstein said that the final step — whether her surgical team decides to leave the device in or take it out —will not be made until she stops growing.

Stephanie said the rods have impacted her for the better, and doesn’t think her health would be where it is today without it.

With this surgery, Madison can run and play with her friends without feeling terribly winded. While Madison is growing, she wants to leave the rods in as long as possible.

Stephanie has a lot of gratitude toward the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, because Madison and her family would not be in the spot today without the treatment she received.

Weinsten, who has known Madison since she was 36 days old, was thrilled when he found out that Madison would be a Kid Captain. He said she is an inspiration.

“I hope Madison is an inspiration for other kids who really don’t have any problems, to look at someone like Madison who has to overcome problems every single day and what a positive attitude she brings to the difficulties life begins for her,” Weinstein said.

hannah-pinski@uiowa.edu

12 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 29, 2021

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