The Daily Iowan Pregame - 10.07.2022

True freshman Drew Stevens has taken over the Hawkeyes’ top kicking

PETE RUDEN

College Football Editor. Action Network

Daily Iowan Alumnus

IOWA +3.5

If the Hawkeyes can contain running back Chase Brown at least a little bit, Il linois doesn’t have a strong enough passing game to beat Iowa’s secondary. In fact, Iowa ranks second nationally in PFF coverage grade. Iowa will lean on Tory Taylor to win the field position battle. That should help the Hawkeyes put up enough points to cover against a vaunted Illinois defense thus far.

UNDER 35.5

Just like most weeks, this is another classic “under” game for Iowa. Both defenses hold huge advantages over the opposing offenses. Brown will likely have a solid day on the ground, just as Blake Corum did for Michigan last week. But given Iowa’s top-five rankings in tackling and coverage, per PFF, the Illini won’t have a way to hit big plays consistently.

IOWA +3.5

Honestly, I don’t know if this bet will seem entirely logical this week. The Fighting Illini rank inside the top five nationally in three major defensive cat egories. Illinois is third in total and run defense. The Illini are first in the coun try in scoring defense. That said, this is the kind of game Illinois always finds creative ways to lose. I don’t see Illinois winning by more than a field goal.

UNDER 35.5

I was foolish enough to pick the Iowa over last week, and I’m not going to make that mistake again. Statistically speaking, Michigan’s defense is worse than Illinois’. The Illini’s No. 1 ranking in scoring defense should also give over bettors some reason to pause. Believe me, if these teams could tie, they would. Hammer this under, and all the Iowa unders this year.

TCU -7

TCU enters this game against Kansas on Cloud Nine after a 55-24 demolition of Oklahoma last week.

of the week

MISSOURI +11

This line doesn’t make sense to me. Missouri should be the favorite against Florida. It almost beat Georgia.

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.

For advanced analysis and statistics, read the full version of

The Daily Iowan’s bettor’s guide at

AUSTIN HANSON Pregame Editor

Ruden’s 2022 record:

Hanson’s 2022 record:

Stevens steps up as top kicker

The true freshman, who hasn’t missed a kick this season, has been Iowa’s starter since Week 3.

Chloe Peterson Sports Editor

Drew Stevens didn’t always want to be a college football player.

Stevens, Iowa’s true freshman kicker out of North Augusta, South Carolina, was a switch kicker in soccer at North Augusta High School. His goal was to set the alltime assists record for the school before he graduated. “Even going into Drew’s

junior year, his goal was to go to college to play soccer,” Michelle Stevens, Drew’s mother, said.

Drew was a quick winger or midfielder on the soccer field, Michelle said. Then, between his junior and senior years of high school, he grew eight inches.

Suddenly, Drew wasn’t as fast on the pitch as he used to be.

“He went from one of the smallest kids on the team to

one of the biggest, like literally in three months,” Michelle said. “So, they moved him to outside back on defense, and it just turned into a different game for him.”

Drew decided to change his plans after his growth spurt.

Going into his senior year of high school, he was already a two-year starter at kicker on the North Augusta football team. His parents made him start kicking during his freshman year so he could

Iowa kicker Drew Stevens kicks a field goal during a football game between Iowa and No. 4 Michigan at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Oct. 1. Stevens is 100 percent on field goal attempts, this season, making all four attempts. The Wolverines defeated the Hawkeyes, 27-14.

make more friends.

“He didn’t want to play [football],” Tim Stevens, Drew’s father, said. “But we wanted him to try it because I played four years of high school football and told him about those experiences. I wanted him to have something like that. And he’s exceeded any expectations we had for him in football.”

During his senior year, Drew took additional practices with kicking coach Dan Orner out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Orner also coached former Iowa kicker Keith Duncan.

After attending kicking camps and visits to different colleges around the country, Drew ended up with seven scholarship and four preferred walk-on offers.

Michelle was born in Cedar Rapids, so she knew the passion of Iowa’s fan base. She still wanted her son to accept a scholarship offer he received from North Carolina State, because Raleigh is a lot closer to North Augusta than

Iowa City.

“I was born and raised a die-hard Hawkeye fan,” Michelle said. “So, when that opportunity came on the table, the fan in me was like, ‘Oh this is awesome.’ But the mom in me was like, ‘NC State, Clemson, South Carolina, that’s all a short drive away.’ But in the end, it was just about the opportunity that he wanted.”

And there was opportunity at Iowa. Sixth-year senior kicker Caleb Shudak was graduating, so Drew knew he would have a shot at the starting gig with the Hawkeyes during his first year.

“I think the opportunity to play early was big on Drew’s list,” Tim said. “Iowa was just one of those opportunities where, you know, we didn’t know really anything about [sophomore kicker] Aaron Blom, but he had no game experience either. So, it seemed like it would be a more even competition.”

So, Drew took a chance on

his preferred walk-on offer at Iowa. Now, he’s earned the No. 1 kicking spot with the Hawkeyes.

An expensive deal Iowa historically hasn’t offered kickers a scholarship out of high school.

Duncan — who came to Iowa as a walk-on from Weddington, North Carolina, in 2016 — understands Iowa’s hesitancy.

“It’s like, the last seven or eight starters have come in as walk-ons,” Duncan said. “So, you look at it from a coaching perspective and say, ‘Hey, why would I scholarship a high school kid when the last seven starters that I’ve had have started as walk-ons?’”

Drew met Duncan while they were both training with Orner in North Carolina. When Drew asked Duncan about his experience at Iowa, Duncan encouraged him to join the Iowa football program because of its

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa kicker Drew Stevens kicks a field goal during a near-seven-hour football game between Iowa and Nevada at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Sept. 18. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wolfpack,

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan

culture and consistency.

Drew’s decision to go to Iowa as a preferred walk-on meant he had to pay outof-state tuition and fees — at least for his first year. The total estimated cost of attendance for out-of-state students enrolling at Iowa, including tuition and room and board, is $43,792 per year.

“Money is always a concern, right?” Tim said. “But I think we would do whatever we needed to do to give Drew the opportunity to chase his dream for a while. We had a plan in place … if he came in and did his job and was able to earn a scholarship within a certain amount of time, he would be able to remain there. But if he went up there and he lost the job, and we have to pay what we have to pay for out-of-state tuition, then there’s a chance he might not be there.”

Duncan had a similar deal with his parents when he first moved from North Carolina to Iowa as a walk-on kicker — get a scholarship or come home.

Duncan kicked at Iowa from 2016-20 and had to pay out-of-state tuition for four of those years. Ferentz put Duncan on scholarship for his fifth and final year with the Hawkeyes in 2020.

“I think Drew is absolutely a scholarship-level kicker,” Duncan said. “But at a school like Iowa, you have to earn it. Because a scholarship at Iowa is not only a financial gain, it’s like, ‘Hey, you’ve been working hard. You’re a leader. You’ve been performing well, this is your reward.’”

If Drew keeps his starting spot and develops as a leader throughout this season, Duncan said there’s a possibility he’ll be put on scholarship as a sophomore.

Kicking competition

Drew had the best opportunity to start as a true freshman at Iowa. But he had to earn it.

Shudak graduated from Iowa after last season, leaving Drew and Blom in a kicking competition for the open No.

1 spot.

While neither kicker had seen game action before the 2022 season, Ferentz ultimately decided to start Blom, who has been in the program longer than Drew.

Blom was listed as starting kicker on Iowa’s Week 1 and 2 depth charts. He went 1-of3 on field-goal attempts through the first two games and missed a potential gametying kick in the final seconds of the Cy-Hawk game.

Following the Hawkeyes’ 10-7 loss to the Cyclones, Drew got his chance.

“[Special teams coordinator LeVar Woods] hinted at the idea on Thursday [before Nevada],” Drew said. “He brought me into his meeting room and said, ‘We’re gonna look to give you an opportunity at field goal, we know you’ve been champing at the bit to get it.’ And then on Friday, during practice, he calls me over, he lets me know.”

Drew’s parents weren’t originally going to make the trip from North Augusta to

Iowa City for the Nevada game because their other children had a lot of sportsrelated commitments, Tim said.

But when Drew told them he was going to start, Tim got a last-minute flight out of Atlanta to make it to Kinnick Stadium for the Hawkeyes’ night game.

“We weren’t gonna come to the Nevada game, and then I said, ‘Well, I gotta go now because it’s going to be the first time.’” Tim said. “It was very exciting to get to see him kick field goals in addition to kickoffs, and it’s just one of those he’ll never forget.”

Drew went 2-of-2 on field goal attempts against Nevada and 3-of-3 on extra points. He also went 2-of-2 on field-goal attempts versus Rutgers. He did not miss any PATs.

While Ferentz praised Drew’s recent performance at a Sept. 27 press conference, he did not commit to Drew taking the starting role for the rest of the season.

“Nobody is down on Aaron,” Ferentz said. “We all believe in Aaron. He does

day. I think, right now, Drew has earned the right to be our kicker.

“But it’s all about competition. You’re talking about two young guys, two inexperienced guys, too. I’ve said in the offseason we expect some ups and downs, probably bumps in the road at that spot, and hopefully we can just keep pushing forward. But it’s good to have two guys in competition.”

Family support

At least one of Drew’s parents have made it to every game, home or away, so far this year. And they plan to have a family representative at every Iowa game this season — despite some logistical challenges.

The family flies out of Atlanta each Saturday morning because Drew’s younger brother plays high school football in North Augusta on Friday nights.

The family has made it to every game with time to spare. The only exception was Iowa’s season-opener

State.

“Because it was Drew’s very first game, kickoff was at 11, we ended up chartering a flight from Chicago to Cedar Rapids,” Michelle said. “We flew from Atlanta, the 6 a.m. flight to Chicago.”

“From there, there was no connection to get us into Cedar Rapids in time,” Tim added. “So, we chartered a flight, a private flight, to get to Cedar Rapids to get our rental car. And we literally walked in the stadium 10 minutes before kickoff.”

This weekend, Drew will have ample support when Iowa travels to Champaign to take on Illinois at Memorial Stadium. Tim is from Illinois, and he has a lot of family in the area.

“I have a lot of relatives — two of my brothers, my dad still live there. Aunt and uncle live in Champaign,” Tim said. “So, we’re going to have about 30 of us, our family members, at the game on Saturday.”

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan

Iowa kicker Drew Stevens runs onto the field before a football game between Iowa and No. 4 Michigan at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Oct. 1. Stevens has played against Michigan, Rutgers, and Nevada.

Gabby Drees/The Daily Iowan Iowa kicker Drew Stevens kicks the ball during a kickoff in a near-seven-hour football game between Iowa and Nevada at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Sept. 18. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wolfpack, 27-0.

Diante Vines WR 6-0 198 Soph Danbury, CT

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

Aaron Blom K 5-11 189 Soph Oskaloosa, IA

Kaleb Johnson RB 6-0 212 Fr Hamilton, OH

Terry Roberts DB 5-10 182 Sr Erie, PA

Carson May QB 6-3 221 Fr Jones, OK

Cooper DeJean DB 6-1 209 Soph Odebolt, IA

Leshon Williams RB 5-10 210 Soph Chicago, IL

Koen Entringer DB 6-0 199 Fr Ypsilanti, MI

Joe Labas QB 6-4 207 #Fr Brecksville, OH

Jestin Jacobs LB 6-4 238 Jr Englewood, OH

Keagan Johnson WR 6-1 194 Soph Bellevue, NE

TJ Hall DB 6-0 183 Fr Fresno, CA

Spencer Petras QB 6-5 231 Sr San Rafael, CA

Reggie Bracy DB 6-0 209 Jr Mobile, AL

Alex Padilla QB 6-1 200 Jr Greenwood Village, CO

Deshaun Lee DB 5-10 174 Fr Belleville, MI

Jaziun Patterson RB 5-10 188 Fr Pompano Beach, FL

Tory Taylor P 6-4 230 Jr Melbourne, Australia

Arland Bruce IV WR 5-10 198 Soph Olathe, KS

11 AJ Lawson DB 6-0 193 Soph Decatur, IL

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

Reese Osgood WR 5-11 176 Fr Franklin, WI

Joe Evans DE 6-2 246 Sr Ames, IA

Brody Brecht WR 6-4 217 #Fr Ankeny, IA

Jacob Bostick WR 6-2 171 Fr Palatine, IL

Dallas Craddieth DB 5-11 207 Sr St. Louis, MO

Jordan Kumm WR 5-9 188 Soph Ankeny, IA

Jamison Heinz DB 6-0 205 Soph Humboldt, IA

Max White RB 5-10 203 #Fr Cedar Rapids, IA

Brenden Deasfernandes DB 6-0 192 Soph Belleville, MI

Alec Wick WR 6-1 196 #Fr Iowa City, IA

Drew Stevens K 6-0 180 Fr North Augusta, SC

Graham Friedrichsen WR 6-1 183 Fr Urbandale, IA

Gaven Cooke DB 6-1 184 #Fr Kentfield, CA

Deavin Hilson RB 6-1 192 #Fr Des Moines, IA

Kael Kolarik DB 6-0 211 Fr Indianola, IA

Kaden Wetjen WR 5-10 191 Soph Williamsburg, IA

Thomas Hartlieb DB 5-11 193

Nolan Donald

Carter Erickson

Van Kekerix

Gavin Williams

Kelby Telander

Kaevon Merriweather

Johnson

Harris

Ritter

5-9

6-0

6-0

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Madison, WI

Morton, IL

Indianola, IA

Inwood, IA

Altoona, IA

North Liberty, IA

Belleville, MI

West Des Moines, IA

Chicago, IL

Smith

Harrell

Limouris

Twedt

Karson Sharar

Benson

Deontae

Phelps

Logan Klemp

Max Llewellyn

Andrew Lentsch

Hurkett

Louie Stec

Luke Gaffney

Fahey

Michael Myslinski

6-3

6-2

6-2

6-3

6-2

6-0

6-3

5-10

6-2

6-5

6-4

6-3

6-0

6-2

6-5

Soph Britt, IA

#Fr Urbandale, IA

#Fr Glen Ellyn, IL

#Fr Story City, IA

#Fr Iowa Falls, IA

Sr Sioux Falls, SD

Soph Fort Wayne, IN

Sr Kingsley, IA

Sr Jewell, IA

#Fr Urbandale, IA

#Fr West Des Moines, IA

Soph Cedar Rapids, IA

Jr La Grange Park, IL

Fr Robins, IA

Soph Waukon, IA

6-3 287 #Fr Jacksonville, FL

Fagan OL 6-5

Sr Council Bluffs, IA

Wiseman DL 5-11 274 Fr Davenport, IA

Jeremiah Pittman DL 6-3 297 #Fr Palatine, IL

Nick DeJong OL 6-6 300 Jr Pella, IA

Will Hubert DL 6-3 247 Fr Omaha, NE

Taylor Fox OL 6-3 292 Jr Winthrop, IA

Griffin Liddle OL 6-3 282 #Fr Bettendorf, IA

Justin Britt OL 6-4 301 Jr Indianapolis, IN

Logan Jones OL 6-3 283 Soph Council Bluffs, IA

Jeremy Chaplin OL 6-2 263 #Fr Waverly, IA

Gennings Dunker OL 6-5 316 #Fr Lena, IA

Tyler Endres OL 6-6 297 Jr Norwalk, IA

Beau Stephens OL 6-6 307 #Fr Blue Springs, MO

Jack Dotzler OL 6-6 266 Fr Waunakee, WI

Kale Krogh OL 6-5 276 Fr Huxley, IA

David Davidkov OL 6-6 309 #Fr Glenview, IL

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Tyler Elsbury OL 6-5 308 Soph Byron, IL

Connor Colby OL 6-6 308 Soph Cedar Rapids, IA

Mason Richman OL 6-6 308 Soph Leawood, KS

Jack Plumb OL 6-7 297 Sr Green Bay, WI

Kyson Van Vugt TE 6-6 247 Fr Hull, IA

Cael Vanderbush TE 6-4 208 Fr Plainfield, IN

Johnny Pascuzzi TE 6-4 224 #Fr Olathe, KS

Alex Eichmann WR 6-2 193 Fr Sussex, WI

Jameson Witte DL 6-5 270 Soph O'Fallon, MO

Sam LaPorta TE 6-4 249 Sr Highland, IL

Luke Lachey TE 6-6 252 Soph Columbus, OH

Logan Lee DL 6-5 275 Jr Orion, IL

Steven Stilianos

6-5 264 Jr Hayes, VA

Jeff Bowie DL 6-5

Addison Ostrenga TE 6-4

#Fr West Branch, IA

Fr Sun Prairie, WI

Andrew Kraus DL 6-4 227 Fr Barrington, IL

Jackson Frericks

6-6

Jr Cedar Falls, IA

Nico Ragaini WR 6-0 196 Sr East Haven, CT

Brian Allen DE 6-4

Lukas Van Ness DL 6-5

John Waggoner

Anu Dokun

6-5

6-3

Black DL 6-5

Aaron Graves DL 6-4

Lucas Amaya

6-2

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Liam Reardon

6-1

Chris Reames DL 6-7

Shannon DL 6-0

Max Hoskins

6-1

Fr Lake in the Hills, IL

Soph Barrington, IL

Sr Des Moines, IA

Soph Iowa City, IA

Soph Marshall, MN

Fr Dayton, IA

Jr Muskego, WI

Fr Lansing, KS

Soph Chicago, IL

Jr Van Meter, IA

Sr Montgomery, IL

Fr Salem, OR

Josh McCray RB 6-1 235 Soph Enterprise, AL

Isaiah Williams WR 5-10 180 Soph St. Louis, MO

Kionte Curry DB 6-0 200 #Fr Mims, FL

Chase Brown RB 5-11 205 Jr London, ON

Matthew Bailey DB 6-2 205 Fr Moline, IL

Tommy DeVito QB 6-2 210 Sr Cedar Grove, NJ

DD Snyder II DB 6-0 180 #Fr Tampa, FL

Khmari Thompson WR 6-1 210 Jr Lawrenceville, GA

Jer'Zhan Newton DL 6-2 295 Soph St. Petersburg, FL

Calvin Hart Jr. LB 6-1 230 Jr Fort Lauderdale, FL

Caleb Griffin K 6-3 215 Jr Danville, IL

Ashton Hollins WR 6-5 180 Fr Lucedale, MS

Terrell Jennings DB 6-1 190 Sr Knob Hill, CO

Brian Hightower WR 6-3 215 Jr Los Angeles, CA

Kendall Smith DB 6-1 205 Sr Bolingbrook, IL

Shawn Miller WR 6-1 195 Fr Chandler, AZ

Tarique Barnes LB 6-1 230 Jr Memphis, TN

Artur Sitkowski QB 6-5 225 Jr Old Bridge, NJ

Tyson Rooks DB 6-4 190 Fr Saint Simons Island, GA

Donovan Leary QB 6-2 215 Fr Sicklerville, NJ

Tahveon Nicholson DB 5-11 180 Soph Jacksonville, FL

Jake Huber QB 6-1 205 #Fr Spring Grove, IL

Jonah Morris WR 6-4 220 Sr Akron, OH

Kirkland Michaux

Elijah Mc-Cantos

6-4 225 Fr Austin, TX

6-0 180 Fr Miami, FL

Pat Bryant WR 6-3 195 Soph Jacksonville, FL

Casey Washington WR 6-2 200 Jr Round Rock, TX

Xavier Scott DB 5-11 185 Fr Riviera Beach, FL

Jameson Sheehan

6-4 205 Fr Cary, IL

Prince Green DB 6-3 215 #Fr Griffin, GA

Peyton Vining DB 6-2 200 Sr Bradenton, FL

Will McManus K 5-10 185 Fr Glyndon, MD

Ryan Johnson

Gabe Jacas

Chase Miller

Eian Pugh

Hugh Robertson

Naivyan Cargill

Strain

Laughery

Martin

Hayden

Edwards

Fedanzo

Anderson

Badie

Manning

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6-4 225 Sr Green Bay, WI

6-3 265 Fr Port St. Lucie, FL

6-1 180 Fr Baltimore, MD

6-3 170 Fr Naperville, IL

6-2

#Fr Melbourne, Australia

6-4 230 Fr Riviera Beach, FL

5-9

#Fr Pace, FL

5-11 200 Fr Gibson City, IL

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Memphis,

St. Louis,

Groveport,

Lombard,

Naperville, IL

Aurora, IL

Frankfort, IL

Solo Turner DB 6-2 220 Soph Frisco, TX

Darkangelo LB 6-1 230 Sr Brighton, MI

Kenenna Odeluga LB 6-1 230 #Fr South Holland, IL

Aidan Hall LS 6-2 205 Soph Glen Ellyn, IL

Lucas Althaus TE 6-6 240 #Fr Alpha, IL

Shammond Cooper LB 6-2 220 Soph St. Louis, MO

James Kreutz LB 6-0 210 Fr Bannockburn, IL

Michael Marchese TE 6-4 235 Sr Vernon Hills, IL

Luke Zardzin LB 6-0 205 #Fr Mount Prospect, IL

Griffin Moore TE 6-4 250 Soph Bloomington, IL

Ben Clawson WR 6-0 200 Fr Arlington Heights, IL

Malachi Hood LB 6-2 220 Fr Plainfield, IL

Preston Engel LS 6-0 250 Jr Normal, IL

Mike Cerniglia Jr. TE 6-3 240 Soph Madison, WI

Bryce Barnes DL 6-2 280 Jr Gibson City, IL

Seth Coleman LB 6-5 240 Soph Melbourne, FL

Verdis Brown DL 6-4 345 Jr Chicago, IL

Devin Hale OL 6-0 310 #Fr Springfield, IL

Julian Pearl OL 6-6 315 Jr Danville, IL

Sed McConnell DL 6-3 280 #Fr Atlanta, GA

Magnus Moller OL 6-9 310 Fr Vejle, Denmark

Evan Kirts DL 6-5 300 Soph Evergreen Park, IL

Matt Fries OL 6-5 275 Fr Cranford, NJ

Sam Tsaglis OL 6-2 275 Fr Arlington Heights, IL

Alex Palczewski OL 6-6 315 Sr Mount Prospect, IL

Josh Kreutz OL 6-2 280 #Fr Bannockburn, IL

Joey Okla OL 6-2 325 Fr Hartland, WI

Jordyn Slaughter OL 6-5 325 Jr Belleville, IL

Zachary Barlev OL 6-5 305 #Fr Bolingbrook, IL

Tommy Cronin OL 6-4 310 Soph Oak Park, IL

Hunter Whitenack OL 6-7 345 Fr New Carlisle, IN

Zy Crisler OL 6-6 330 Soph Crystal Springs, MS

Josh Gesky OL 6-5 325 #Fr Manteno, IL

Dylan Davis OL 6-4 300 Soph Sarasota, FL

Alex Pihlstrom OL 6-6 305 Sr Glen Ellyn, IL

Clayton Leonard OL 6-4 290 Fr Danforth, IL

Isaiah Adams OL 6-5 315 Jr Ajax, ON

Luciano Elias OL 6-5 320 Fr Wilmette, IL

Hank Beatty WR 5-11 185 Fr Rochester, IL

Daniel Edwards WR 5-11 160 #Fr Winter Park, FL

Luke Ford TE 6-6 265 Sr Carterville, IL

Keion Battle WR 6-1 200 #Fr Plainfield, IL

Owen Anderson TE 6-4 230 Fr Skillman, NJ

Miles Scott WR 5-11 200 #Fr Dolton, IL

Weston Adams WR 5-11 195 Fr Shell, WY

Kody Case WR 5-10 180 Sr Lake City, IA

Henry Boyer TE 6-6 265 Fr Chicago, IL

Keith Randolph Jr. DL 6-5 305 Soph Belleville, IL

Tip Reiman TE 6-5 265 Soph Rapid City, SD

Alec Bryant LB 6-3 240 #Fr Pearland, TX

Jamal Woods DL 6-2 290 Sr Hueytown, AL

Calvin Avery DL 6-2 325 Sr Dallas, TX

Raashaan Wilkins Jr. DL 6-3 315 Jr Chicago, IL

Nico Crawford LS 6-1 250 Fr Dublin, OH

Josh Leff P 5-10 190 Fr Westlake Village, CA

Deon Pate LB 6-2 265 Sr Jacksonville, FL

Fabrizio Pinton K 6-3 230 #Fr Houston, TX

Christian Lorenzo DL 6-3 285 Fr Baton Rouge, LA

Chris Werner Assistant Sports Editor

The Daily Iowan: So, we’ll start with the hypothetical NCAA Football video game rating. I just asked Jack Campbell, and he wanted the lowest rating possible so he has a chip on his shoul der.

Richman: Expect nothing less from Jack … Let’s see, I think a low rating would be awesome because then you could also build your guy up over a four-year career. If you start at 99, like maybe [Tyler Linderbaum] might have been last year, might have been pretty hard to im prove. As long as my face is in the game or my number, you know, that’s just the coolest thing I’d ever see in the world.

DI: What would your best attribute be in that game?

Richman: Oh, let’s see … I would hope my best attri bute would be pass protec tion. I think I’m a little bit better at that than I am at run protection. Maybe agil ity compared to offensive linemen. I think I’m pretty agile, pretty fast, especially in this group we got going, we got a lot of big guys. Hopefully, I can be able to run around some other big guys and other teams.

DI: People always point

to quarterbacks or wide re ceivers doing their thing, scoring touchdowns and such. Offensive linemen don’t usually get that kind of recognition. What’s the best feeling for an offensive lineman? Like, what’s your favorite play to make?

Richman: Oh, gosh, I think those long touch downs are awesome, you know, one-play drives. It just ignites such an energy

about you … But I’d go with, my favorite play is, proba bly the QB sneak for a first down. There’s nothing more demoralizing than when we come up, and it’s just going to be on the first sound. Get ting that first down, it’s just awesome.

DI: What’s your favorite part of Hawkeye game day?

Richman: Definitely the bus ride in. I’ve never seen

anything like the streets.

All the fans are lined up out there. I think, last week, it was the gold out. RVs, ev eryone’s packed in. I mean, my street I live on is always packed every time I go home, and my mom’s complaining “I don’t have anywhere to park.” Like, I can’t blame you. You know, we don’t live too far from the stadium. So, definitely going up there on the bus is awesome for me.

DI: Who would you think is the best athlete on Io wa’s campus right now, any sport?

Richman: Let me think … I could be biased toward football, I mean, basket ball-wise, you know, I’m gonna give a little credit, who’s the [men’s basketball] starting center for us or pro jected? Do you know? It’s not Garza anymore.

DI: Could be Filip Rebra ca.

Richman: Okay, I’ll give it to him. I have a ton of re spect for those guys. They are conditioned like … You saw them on the field the other day at the, I think it was the Iowa State game or the first game of the year. It’s just crazy to see those guys that big, who can move and even shoot threes. I can’t make a free throw, hardly a layup, and those guys are out there pulling up for three. So, it takes a lot of athleticism to play that sport, I’ll give it to them.

DI: And last question. A lot of people have a song they listen to when they’re really happy, like they have a go-to. Do you have a go-to song when you’re really sad?

Richman: I mean, when I’m really sad I try to listen to something that will pump me up maybe a little bit. I like Rod Wave. Me and Jay Higgins, we bond over that. He’s got some good stuff out there. He’s got this song called “Me Vs. The World,” that’s a good one. I’ll give you that one.

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

with Iowa left tackle Mason Richman

Daily Iowan Assistant Sports Editor Chris Werner chatted with Richman at a media availability session on Sept.

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) hoists running back Kaleb Johnson (2) after Johnson scored a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and No. 4 Michigan at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Oct. 1. The Wolverines defeated the Hawkeyes, 27-14.

Cormac Faley thankful to be Kid Captain

Faley and his family will travel to Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday to cheer on the Hawkeyes.

Ariana Lessard Assistant Arts Editor

Kid Captain Cormac Fa ley, from Asbury, Iowa, fin ished his chemotherapy treatments in 2020. The now-12-year-old was di agnosed with T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in May 2017 and has been in remission for almost two years.

Faley was experiencing sporadic stomach aches, nausea, and low-grade fe vers before doctors detect ed cancer in his blood. The Faley family — Cormac, his mother Jennifer, and his father Patrick — left Med ical Associates Clinic in Dubuque and set off for the University of Iowa Stead

Family Children’s Hospital the same day Cormac re ceived his diagnosis.

Cormac underwent che motherapy for more than three years.

All three Faleys recall the tumultuous process of Cormac learning to take medicine on a regular basis. Cormac adjusted to the IV medicine. The addition of at-home oral prescriptions, however, proved challeng ing. Cormac would often throw up his oral medica tions, so he would have to take medication multiple times.

“It gets better,” Cormac said. “If you don’t think about the medicine that’s coming, it’s easier. When

you just feel down the next couple years or a couple months or however long, it’s like, ‘Oh my god.’ That can be overwhelming. But you take it a little by little. Just take one squeeze at a time. One day at a time, one squeeze.”

Jennifer said UI students who participate in Dance Marathon and her son’s physicians played a big role in keeping Cormac’s spirits up while he was getting care at the children’s hospital.

“Everyone was really wonderful,” Jennifer said. “From all the providers, the doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and then to have people like the stu dents from Dance Marathon

join in, who really almost became part of our care team as well. They were im proving his quality of life with the games and the vis iting. [Cormac] made some good friends through that. He was able to build some friendships that we consid ered best friends.”

Cormac is the Kid Captain for this week’s Iowa-Illinois game, which will be played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Cormac could hardly contain his excite ment after he was named a Kid Captain.

“Probably just like ex cited like just it wasn’t this and then this and then this and then ‘Hey, captain!’” Cormac said.

Kid Captains aren’t cel ebrated on the field during away games, but the Faleys will still make the trek to Memorial Stadium. Cormac did, however, get a chance to celebrate his captaincy at Kinnick Stadium when his family attended Iowa foot ball’s home matchup with Nevada on Sept. 17. UIHC provided the Faley family, and the rest of this year’s away Kid Captains, with seats at the game.

“Being able to go there was incredible — having good seats and having a good view,” Cormac said. “I got to be on the jumbotron, which was fun. That’s really nice. That’s really exciting.”

Jennifer said the recogni

tion Cormac got didn’t end with an appearance on the Kinnick video board. Neigh boring Hawkeye fans in the stands showered Cormac with fist bumps and con gratulated his family.

Cormac is ecstatic for the Hawkeyes’ 6:30 p.m. road matchup with the Fighting Illini Saturday, and he said he’s thankful to be a Kid Captain.

“There’s just so many kids who are applying to be a Kid Captain,” Cormac said. “And there’s only around eleven games. And like, hundreds and hundreds of kids are signing up. You’re just like, ‘Holy crap, I got it.’”

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan Kid Captain Cormac Faley poses for a photo with his guests and head coach Kirk Ferentz during Iowa football’s Kids’ Day at Kinnick in Iowa City on Aug. 13.

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan

Kid Captain Cormac Faley watches Iowa’s Kaevon Merriweather sign a shirt during Iowa football’s Kids’ Day at Kinnick in Iowa

1. Ohio State

The Big

2. Michigan

Iowa was almost

3. Penn State

I don’t

can

4. Maryland

The East has the Big

5. Illinois

I’ll die

was

6. Purdue

and

Step aside, nerds. Let the expert rank these teams.

NEBRASKA

Friday | 6:00 p.m. |

Nebraska (2-3, 1-1)

Rutgers (3-2, 0-2)

SHI Stadium Piscataway, NJ

Line: Nebraska -3 O/U: 52

PURDUE

RUTGERS

Luckily, I don’t have to pick a winner of this game. So, I’ll leave my thoughts on this matchup at this: Rut gers led Ohio State, 7-0, at one point last week.

MARYLAND

Purdue is the only West team that knows how to play offense.

7. Minnesota

Remember when we thought Minnesota was going to win the West uncontested?

8. Iowa

Iowa might finish the year under .500.

9. Nebraska

I can aleady hear the boos I’m going to get for this.

10. Indiana

How did you manage to lose to Nebraska by two touchdowns?

11. Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights will tell their children about the time they led Ohio State, 7-0.

12. Michigan State

I thought MSU would be good, and it isn’t.

13. Wisconsin

Let the Paul Chryst jokes flow.

14. Northwestern

It’s an even year. NU should win the West.

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Purdue (3-2, 1-1)

Maryland (4-1, 1-1)

SECU Stadium

College Park, MD

Line: Maryland -3 O/U: 59

OHIO STATE

Saturday | 3:00 p.m. |

No. 3 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) Rutgers (2-3, 0-2)

Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI

Line: Ohio State -25.5 O/U: 63

I’ve disrespected Maryland time and again this year. I guess I’m not really regret ful about it. I like the Boil ermakers on the road this week.

Austin Hanson austin-hanson@uiowa.edu

MICHIGAN INDIANA

Saturday | 11:00 a.m. |

No. 4 Michigan (5-0, 2-0)

Indiana (3-2, 1-1)

Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN

Line: Michigan -22

O/U: 59

WISCONSIN

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2)

Northwestern (1-4, 1-1)

Ryan Field

Evanston, IL

Line: Wisconsin -10 O/U: 44

MICHIGAN STATE

I feel like making Michi gan State play this game is the equivalent of put ting a wounded deer in a cage with three male lions. Things aren’t going to end well for the Spartans on Saturday night.

ILLINOIS

Saturday | 6:30 p.m. |

Illinois (3-2, 1-1)

Iowa (4-1, 1-1)

Memorial Stadium

Champaign, IL

Line: Illinois -3.5

O/U: 35

FOX should consider changing the name of its weekly pregame show from “Big Noon Kickoff” to “Big Michigan Kickoff.” The network has now gone to three consecutive Wolver ine games.

NORTHWESTERN

People are dubbing this a dumpster fire game, but I beg to differ. This is going to be a classic Big Ten West barnburner. If I was a bet tor, I’d hammer this game’s under.

IOWA

This seems like the type of game Illinois always finds a way to lose. For some reason, this year feels dif ferent, and it looks like the folks in Las Vegas know that.

ILLINOIS

This one’s for you, dad.

KANSAS

Kansas needs to start losing. I’m tired of picking its games.

MISSOURI

A near-win against Georgia equals a win over Florida.

WISCONSIN

Been a tough week for Chryst worshippers.

UTAH

Nuclear reactors should be safe this week.

IOWA Illinois isn’t actually back (I think).

KANSAS

Jayhawks can totally eat Horned Frogs, no contest.

FLORIDA

If the Gators can survive a hurri cane, they can beat Missouri.

IOWA Michigan is better than anybody in the West.

TCU Jay, K, LHawks.

FLORIDA

Missouri missed its chance last week. It’s all downhill from here.

ILLINOIS

Don’t bet on this game.

TCU

The fun stops here for Kansas.

FLORIDA

Gators eat Tigers on the field.

IOWA

Bielema has a Hawkeye tattoo for a reason. Hawks by a million.

KANSAS

This feels like 2007 all over again, Rock Chalk.

FLORIDA

The Swamp will be too much for Mizzou.

ILLINOIS

Illini have confidence after winning at Wisconsin.

TCU Jayhawks’ luck will run out.

FLORIDA

A coin flip among SEC also-rans.

IOWA

A predictable battle of first-place B1G West teams.

TCU Kansas’ magic runs out.

FLORIDA

Missouri is still hung up on last week’s upset chance of Georgia.

A Chryst-less dumpster fire! NORTHWESTERN

WISCONSIN

UTAH

UCLA already fits in the Big Ten West.

I don’t even have a reason for this.

UCLA

This one’s for Lonzo Ball.

WISCONSIN

Why did we pick another Big Ten game?

UCLA A UCLA alum once wished Chris a happy birthday.

WISCONSIN

They won’t allow the worst team in Illinois to beat them.

UCLA

DTR is gonna tear this defense apart.

WISCONSIN

Badgers need to get into that traf fic jam of Big Ten West mediocrity.

UCLA

Nobody will show up because everybody is getting ready for the Dodgers’ October run.

WISCONSIN

Do the Badgers even need a coach to beat Northwestern?

UTAH

Utes are still the team to beat in the Pac-12.

AUSTIN HANSON

CHRIS WERNER

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