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5 things to watch
Matt McGowan Pregame Editor matt.mcgowan@dailyiowan.com
1. Limiting passing attack
For the second week in a row, the Hawkeyes will be up against a veteran quarterback in his first year at a new school. After four seasons at Mississippi State, Will Rogers arrives in Washington with plenty of fanfare. After becoming the only quarterback in SEC history with over 1,000 career completions, the 23-year-old Rogers has brought the same passing prowess to the Big Ten.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, Rogers ranks second in the conference in passing yards, third in completion percentage, and fourth in passer rating as the Huskies sport the 16th best passing offense in the FBS.
Johnson’s 97 carries and 771 yards this season. Aside from his natural ability, part of Johnson’s success has derived from the Hawkeyes’ blocking in 12 personnel formations. This is where two tight ends line up with the offensive linemen and serve as extra blockers. Typically, Hawkeyes Luke Lachey and Addison Ostrenga have been on the field for these situations, but head coach Kirk Ferentz said Ostrenga will most likely not be in action on Saturday due to an arm injury.
Ferentz said backup tight end Zach Ortwerth will be the first off the bench to fill in for Ostrenga, and the second-year will be put to the test against a Husky defense that has yielded 3.92 yards per carry this season.
4. Pacific to Kinnick
“He’s talented. He can make plays on his feet, he can make plays throwing the ball, and he’s not scared,” Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson said of Rogers.
2. Huskies embrace Big Ten ball
Despite the common perception of PAC-12 football relying on pass-first offenses, Washington isn’t afraid to put the ball on the ground early and often. Husky running back Jonah Coleman transferred from Arizona over the offseason and leads the team with 601 rushing yards and has all five of the Huskies’ ground scores this season. The third-year from Stockton, California, has size at 5-foot-9 and 229 pounds and isn’t afraid of contact.
“They run really hard,” Iowa defensive lineman Deontae Craig said of the Huskies. “If you don’t run your feet, you try to reach for the arm and they’ll just run right through you. It’ll be a great challenge for us.”
3. New-look 12-personell
The Hawkeyes are also no stranger to running the ball, as evidenced by Kaleb
While Iowa’s Big Ten home opener being against a former PAC-12 team might be odd for Hawkeye fans, the experience might be even more unusual for Washington players. An 11 a.m. Central kickoff equates to 9 a.m. Pacific, and to adjust to the time change, the Huskies will be flying out to Iowa on Thursday – a five-and-a-half-hour flight from Seattle, according to Washington head coach Jedd Fisch. Even with extra time to prepare, Fisch knows that playing in Kinnick is another adjustment.
With 69,000-plus Hawkeye fans in attendance, the Huskies will have the crowd against them on Saturday. How they adjust to the time change and hostile environment will be critical for their chances of success in what should be a tight ballgame.
5. Penalty impact
As mentioned above, the roaring Kinnick crowd will do its best to distract the Washington players, who have been susceptible to flags so far this season. The Huskies rank second in the Big Ten with 45 penalties and 424 penalty yards.
Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes have just 12 on the season. In a game that could be decided by less than a field goal, every yard gained or lost can make a difference, and every Hawkeye fan will be holding their breath.
OFFENSE
QB 12 Cade McNamara Sr 1 Brendan Sullivan Jr
RB 2 Kaleb Johnson Jr 28 Kamari Moulton #Fr
WR 15 Reece Vander Zee Fr 0 Jarriett Buie #Fr
WR 21 Kaden Wetjen Sr 7 Dayton Howard #Fr
WR 5 Jacob Gill Jr 8 Terrell Washington Jr. #Fr
TE 85 Luke Lachey Sr 87 Addison Ostrenga Jr
LT 78 Mason Richman Sr 71 Jack Dotzler Soph
LG 70 Beau Stephens Jr 64 Leighton Jones #Fr
C 65 Logan Jones Sr 58 Kade Pieper #Fr
RG 77 Connor Colby Sr 76 Tyler Elsbury Sr
RT 67 Gennings Dunker Jr 56 Nick Dejong Sr
PK 18 Drew Stevens Jr DEFENSE
LE 45 Deontae Craig Sr 48 Max Llewellyn Jr
LT 95 Aaron Graves Jr 57 Will Hubert Soph
RT 94 Yahya Black Sr 55 Jeremiah Pittman Jr
RE 49 Ethan Hurkett Sr 90 Brian Allen Soph
OFFENSE
QB 7 Will Rogers III Sr 2 Demond Williams Jr Fr
RB 1 Jonah Coleman Jr 22 Cameron Davis Sr
WR 12 Denzel Boston Soph 13 Audric Harris Fr
WR 5 Giles Jackson Sr 15 Keith Reynolds #Fr
WR 6 Jeremiah Hunter Sr 3 Rashid Williams #Fr
TE 88 Quentin Moore Sr 85 Keleki Latu Sr
LT 68 Soane Faasolo #Fr 77 Maximus McCree Jr
LG 64 Gaard Memmelaar Jr 53 Paki Finau Fr
C 75 D’Angalo Titialii Sr 66 Landen Hatchett Soph
RG 57 Enokk Vimahi Sr 58 Zachary Henning #Fr
RT 74 Drew Azzopardi Soph 71 Kahlee Tafai #Fr
PK 95 Grady Gross Jr DEFENSE
EDGE 91 Isaiah Ward Soph 41 Deshawn Lynch Jr
DL 50 Sebastian Valdez Sr 90 Elinneus Davis #Fr
DL 55 Jacob Bandes Sr 97 Logan Sagapolu Jr
EDGE 5 Zach Durfee Jr 48 Jacob Lane Soph
29 Sebastian Castro Sr 37 Kyler Fisher Sr
CASH/ LEO
MLB 34 Jay Higgins Sr 41 Jaden Harrell Jr
WLB 10 Nick Jackson Sr 43 Karson Sharar Jr
CB 8 Deshaun Lee Soph 2 TJ Hall Jr
SS 1 Xavier Nwankpa Jr 4 Koen Entringer Soph
FS 30 Quinn Schulte Sr 6 Zach Lutmer #Fr
CB 27 Jermari Harris Sr 7 John Nestor Soph P 9 Rhys Dakin Fr
LB 11 Alphonzo Tuputala Sr 28 Khmori House Fr
LB 42 Carson Bruener Sr 54 Drew Fowler Sr
NB 3 Jordan Shaw #Fr 21 Dyson McCutcheon Jr
CB 7 Ephesians Prysock Jr 25 Elijah Jackson Jr
S 13 Kamren Fabiculanan Sr 4 Justin Harrington Sr
S 24 Makell Esteen Jr 8 Cameron Broussard Sr
CB 9 Thaddeus Dixon Sr 19 Darren Barkins Jr P 38 Jack McCallister Jr
Ortwerth
Coleman Rogers
Fisch
Weekly Wager
PETE RUDEN College Football Editor, Action Network Daily Iowan alumnus
-2.5
The Daily Iowan’s official bettor’s guide to Iowa football’s Week 7 matchup with Washington.
MATT MCGOWAN Pregame Editor
If a team wants to find success against Washington, it starts on the ground. The Huskies rank 67th in defensive rushing success rate and 84th in defensive line yards — two areas where Iowa will have major advantages. A raucous Kinnick Stadium will help the Hawkeyes cover here.
Washington is riding high after beating a ranked Michigan squad at home last week, while Iowa is most likely fuming after continuing its recent ineptitude against top-25 foes. Plus, the homefield advantage should be emphasized in this matchup. The Huskies don’t know Kinnick.
Both sides have avenues to moving the ball and putting points on the board, so it shouldn’t take a whole lot to clear this low total. Kaleb Johnson can take advantage of the Huskies’ poor rush defense while Washington has had success against tough Big Ten foes like Michigan.
The Rainbow Warriors can contain Boise State star Ashton Jeanty and stay within the number with their Run-and-Shoot offense.
Iowa is averaging 27 points per game while Washington checks in at 25.5. Besides basic math, both squads can easily exploit each other’s weaknesses. The Huskies struggle against the run, while the Hawkeyes aren’t great against the pass.
The Volunteers are ticked off after last week’s upset and will overwhelm a porous Florida defense.
YTD: $456
Each week during the Iowa football season, Daily Iowan Pregame Editor Matt McGowan 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.
Ruden’s 2024 record: 5-10
YTD: $805
McGowan’s 2024 record: 9-6
Johnson enjoying breakout campaign in 2024
The junior battled injuries last season, but remained loyal to the Hawkeyes and has posted eye-popping numbers through the first five games of the 2024 season.
In a crowd of familiarity, Iowa football’s Mason Richman noticed something peculiar. The left tackle stood in the huddle as the Hawkeyes began their opening drive of the second half in their season opener against Illinois State. Surrounding him were his teammates, donning black uniforms and helmets, but Richman couldn’t help but glance at the No. 2 jersey of running back Kaleb Johnson.
The third-year back had stepped onto the Kinnick turf for the first time that August afternoon after serving a team-imposed one-half suspension for undisclosed reasons. After watching the Hawkeyes manage a 6-0 halftime lead from the sidelines, Johnson was ready to make an impact.
Eyes narrowed behind his face mask and shoulders leaning forward; the running back was poised and focused on the next play.
“There was a different look in his eyes,” Richman remembered.
After two rushing attempts from Hawkeye running back Kamari Moulton, Johnson got his first crack of action, taking a handoff to the left for three yards, the first steps of what would become a 119-yard, two-touchdown outing.
From a season that began on an ominous note quickly accelerated to one of dominance – four straight 100-yard games, 10 touchdowns, and a name near the top of the leaderboards. From a sophomore season riddled with injury, Johnson’s breakout success has been head-turning, but Johnson doesn’t seem to notice the extra attention. He wants to be the best, but doesn’t need others to tell him.
“I’m just trying to keep my mindset straight and never feel satisfied,” Johnson said.
Hamilton hero
Johnson grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, a northern suburb of Cincinnati. Nestled on the northeast side of town is Hamilton High School.
Johnson played his high school career there from 2018-2021, earning three varsity letters and becoming a star for the Big Blue. Nate Mahon coached Johnson for his final three seasons but quickly noticed his talent.
“He was somebody that was physically gifted from day one,” Mahon said. “He’s probably been 6-foot, 200 pounds since coming into high school.”
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson carries the ball during a Cy-Hawk football game between then-No. 21 Iowa and Iowa State at
on Sept. 7. The Cyclones defeated the Hawkeyes, 20-19.
Johnson showed glimpses of his potential through his first one and a half years in high school, but his breakout came during a playoff game against crosstown rival Fairfield.
“We flipped out a speed option to him, and he literally ran by everybody,” Mahon said. “I kind of knew right then and there how special he could be.”
That surge of momentum was all the confidence Johnson needed, and he quickly emerged as a local star there, earning firstteam all-conference honors as a junior and all-state accolades as a senior. Mahon recalled how, despite not having the best offensive line, Johnson still could rack up 100-yard games, no matter the opposition.
“He was somebody that was physically gifted from day one. He’s probably been 6-foot, 200 pounds since coming into high school.”
Nate Mahon
Kaleb Johnson’s high school coach
“Unfortunately, he did a lot of it on his own, which is pretty special,” the coach said.
Johnson joked he was bigger than most of his offensive linemen and said often he took the snap himself.
Despite being the face of the team, Mahon said Johnson never let the success get to his
head, praising the running back for his intense work ethic and dedication to the game.
“He worked his tail off, weight room, practice field, always showed up ready to go, and worked his tail off and set a great example for not only the younger kids, but his peers as well,” Mahon said.
Cody Blissett | The Daily Iowan
Kinnick Stadium
Though Johnson was a fierce competitor on the field, he showed his caring personality off it, often giving his teammates rides to practices and games. For Mahon, the star running back was essentially an extension of the team's coaching staff.
These leadership qualities have also led to a tight relationship between Johnson and the Mahon family.
The head coach said his star running back would always stop to say hello and talk with his young children.
Johnson and the Mahon children remain close to this day and frequently talk over FaceTime. Mahon and his family plan to make the seven-hour drive to Iowa City to watch Johnson play later in the season.
“My kids know exactly who KJ is, and KJ knows who my kids are, and he’s always been that way,” Mahon said. “Just a nice role model to have around, always kind of like that big brother type."
Johnson would soon take his talents westward, but not to Iowa.
From Cal to Kinnick
Due to the competitiveness in the region, Johnson was lightly recruited out of high school, earning offers from Iowa State, Cincinnati, California, and Minnesota. He was ranked as the No. 18 overall player in the state of Ohio and the No. 43 running back in the Class of 2022 by 247Sports.
Johnson took an official visit to California on June 18, 2021, and was quickly sold, committing to the Golden Bears two days later. The announcement turned away most of the other teams, but Iowa soon showed interest due to a connection between Mahon and Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett. The pair crossed paths at the University of Indianapolis and Miami Ohio.
Barnett reached out to Mahon to express Iowa’s interest, undeterred by Johnson’s prior commitment. After careful consideration with his family, Johnson decided to take an official visit to the Hawkeyes only five days after committing to Cal.
“I knew the implications of going to Iowa as a running back and being able to get coached by Brian Ferentz, Kirk Ferentz, and obviously George Barnett just seemed like a great idea,” Mahon said.
Johnson maintained his commitment through the early portion of his senior season, but took his second official visit to Iowa City on Oct. 9, this time for a game at Kinnick Stadium. That was a top-five showdown between No. 3 Iowa and No. 4 Penn State, one that would soon become a touchstone in Hawkeye history.
The Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions, 23-20, on a late touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The noise level at Kinnick Stadium reached 117 decibels and forced eight Penn State false starts.
Johnson received a scholarship offer from Iowa the day after the Penn State game, and two days later, he was a Hawkeye.
“I came because of the stability of the coaches and how the people are as a person, how the culture here, how people are here and how they treat you, and stuff like that," Johnson said. "So it’s not just that. It’s just like family here.”
Johnson enrolled early at Iowa in the spring of 2022, the same approach that fellow freshman Xavier Nwankpa chose. Starting running back Tyler Goodson declared for the NFL draft after the 2021 season, paving the way for Johnson to earn playing time immediately.
Johnson rushed for 779 yards and six touchdowns during his freshman campaign, ranking as Iowa’s leading rusher and most reliable running back. His breakout game came against Purdue on Nov. 5, when Johnson had 200 yards, including a 75-yard dash for a score.
Despite Johnson’s performance, the Hawkeyes were hampered by offensive
Emma Calabro | The Daily Iowan
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson runs the ball during a football game between then-No. 3 Ohio State and Iowa at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 5. The Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes, 35-7. Johnson collected 86 rushing yards and a touchdown during the contest.
Isabella Tisdale | The Daily Iowan
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson scores a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and Troy at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 14. The Hawkeyes defeated the Trojans, 38-21.
inconsistencies, a problem that carried over into his sophomore season, as the Hawkeyes averaged 15.4 points per game in 2023.
Johnson also dealt with an ankle injury throughout most of the year, appearing in 10 of 14 games and rushing for only 463 yards and three touchdowns, a steep dropoff from
his freshman season.
Despite the disappointing season, Johnson maintained his loyalty to the Iowa program, setting up a breakout campaign for the ages.
“A lot of people came to me if I wanted to go in [the transfer portal],” Johnson told The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier . “I said, ‘No. I am staying here. This is home. This is where I want to be.’”
“I’m not the type of person that wants to be with the top dogs; I want to beat them.”
Heisman hopeful
Following a dominating 31-14 victory over rival Minnesota on Sept. 21, Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz offered his usual postgame remarks.
He went down the line, praising his coaching staff, the defense for pitching a shutout in the second half, and finished off his opening monologue with major compliments for running back Kaleb Johnson.
“Kaleb had a great game again tonight,” Ferentz remarked. “He’s been playing really well for us.”
Johnson posted one of his best games in an Iowa uniform against the Golden Gophers, racking up 206 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. His third and final score was a spectacular 40-yard dash that saw him break several tackles and
outrun the Minnesota defense for the touchdown.
“I’m not sure I remember anybody in four games doing what he’s done,” Ferentz said of Johnson later in his postgame press conference. “He just continues to run really well, and he’s really been aggressive … We have every reason to believe Kaleb is doing to keep getting better.”
Iowa fans have compared Johnson to former Hawkeye standout Shonn Greene, who earned unanimous All-American honors during the 2008 season after tallying 1,850 yards on the ground and setting the program record for most rushing yards in a season.
Many Hawkeye fans doubted they would ever see another back capable of achieving the same numbers, but Johnson is on pace to do so with 10 touchdowns and 685 total yards through five games.
In Week 2 against Iowa State, Johnson compiled 187 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries in a 20-19 loss. The following Saturday, he added two more touchdowns and 173 yards against Troy, sparking a sputtering Iowa offense to a 38-17 win.
Following the dominant performance under the lights against Minnesota, Johnson set his sights on a showdown with No. 3 Ohio State on Oct. 5. Though Johnson grew up only two hours from campus, the Buckeyes never offered him a scholarship.
“I’m not the type of person that wants to be with the top dogs; I want to beat them,” Johnson said before the game.
Johnson’s first real test of the season ended in disappointment, rushing for only 86 yards on 15 carries. The Hawkeye offensive line struggled to give him holes all day, but Johnson maintained his touchdown streak with a 28-yard sprint late in the fourth quarter after Ohio State pulled most
Though Johnson didn’t have the homecoming he had hoped for, the junior has plenty of chances to maintain his growing prestige, as the Hawkeyes don’t have another ranked opponent remaining on the schedule, starting with Washington, which has allowed 130 rushing yards per game.
His breakout campaign could be attributed to many things, but the junior has transformed his style of play into a ferocious, yards-after-contact power back
“I’m used to using my speed on people because that’s how I was in high school,” Johnson said. “So now it’s just me knowing that, and me pulling my strength, using my strength, and throwing my feet in, my head down, just going.”
Richman also paid notice to Johnson’s alterations on the football field, noting that Johnson’s pass blocking has come a long way from where it was a few years ago.
JOHNSON
Isabella Tisdale | The Daily Iowan
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson runs down the field during a football game between Iowa and Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 7. The Cyclones defeated the Hawkeyes, 20-19. Johnson rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns during the contest.
Kaleb Johnson Iowa running back
“He’s started to learn to make that one cut acut and get north,” Richman said. “I keep preaching to him certain plays and I’m making sure he’s seeing the things [the offensive line] is seeing.”
Johnson also credits running backs coach Ladell Betts, a ten-year NFL veteran, for encouraging him to change his rushing style.
“He keeps telling me to put my shoulder down and keep being physical and finishing my runs, even in practice,” Johnson said of Betts. “‘Because if you work hard in practice, it will come in the game.’ That’s what he always said. So now I’m always doing that.”
Johnson also spent time watching film with new offensive coordinator Tim Lester over the summer. Lester praised Johnson’s work ethic and leadership on the field.
“There’s a point in every play where it’s like, ‘OK, now you’re gifted. Go do your thing,’” Lester said. “He’s done some unbelievable things.”
“They [the offensive line] have been working their butts off, putting defensive linemen on their backs,” Johnson said. “I just want to give credit to my whole line.”
Fourth-year guard Connor Colby enjoys blocking for Johnson and the other Hawkeye running backs.
”Once we open up those holes and they’re [the running backs] just running down the field, it’s always a good feeling,” Colby said. “As a fat guy, I’m not going to chase after them, I’m just going to work up the hash if there is a next play, but it’s good seeing them run down the field.”
There’s still plenty of season left, but Johnson’s incredible performance has led many sportswriters and fans to consider him an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy, given to the top overall player in college football.
“It’s a young season, but anybody that’s in the top third of the top three in the country in rushing yards per game and touchdowns out of a power four conference, he ought to
“He’s patient. When he gets the ball, they’re [the holes] not open. As soon as he gets to the line of scrimmage, they open up, and he’s doing a great job of hitting them.”
Fifth-year linebacker Jay Higgins joked he and teammate Nick Jackson are Johnson’s biggest fans. The linebacker duo and the running back had their battles in practice but were nothing but appreciative of their teammate and his dramatic leap in ability.
“He’s patient,” Higgins said. “When he gets the ball, they’re [the holes] not open. As soon as he gets to the line of scrimmage, they open up, and he’s doing a great job of hitting them.”
Johnson may have a knack for plowing through the smallest of holes, but he credits his offensive line for helping him succeed thus far.
be considered,” Mahon said.
While the Heisman is a more tangible goal, Johnson wants to see his name among the greats and at the tops of leaderboards. The running back still trails Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty in rushing yards, but Johnson isn’t looking up. Instead, he’s keeping his head down, just as he is in the huddle, focused on the next play.
“That’s been something in me since I was little since I [first] carried the ball,” Johnson said. “I’ve always wanted to be one of the best backs all you talked about. That’s just me keeping it in the back of my head, knowing that. It’s a motivation for me.”
Infographic by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
Embracing authenticity
Iowa third-year kicker Drew Stevens matured into success.
Colin Votzmeyer Sports Editor colin.votzmeyer@dailyiowan.com
It took nearly five games, but Iowa football kicker Drew Stevens was no longer perfect. Standing near midfield in Columbus for the Hawkeyes’ Week 6 matchup against Ohio State, the third-year watched as his 51-yard offering sailed wide left for his first missed kick of the year.
A make would’ve cut Iowa’s first-quarter deficit to four points and provided the team momentum in what would be an uphill battle against the then-No. 3 team in the nation. Such is the reality of a Division I college
kicker, where consistent success is expected and any mistake invites outside criticism.
Stevens’ career has shifted between these ups and downs, especially last season, when the kicker saw a strong start fizzle to an unceremonious end to the regular season. This experience put stress not just on Stevens’ physical ability, but his mental approach on the field– an element that he’s fortified with routine visits with Iowa’s sports psychologist Carmen Priebe-Tebbe.
From a young player some saw as overconfident to a mature starter focused on his preparation and authenticity, Stevens has embraced the kicking role for both its pressure and difficulties.
Coming into this season, the pressure has increased on Stevens. Before the season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31, he was named to the Phil Steele preseason thirdteam All-Big Ten and was named to the Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award Preseason Watch List.
Stevens has handled every placement and kickoff honor for the Hawkeyes in all five games this season, scoring 33 points with six field goals and 15-of-15 on point-after attempts.
That includes a long of 46 yards, a careerhigh 5-of-5 on extra-point conversions in
chologist during his shooting slump at the beginning of the 2022-23 season, as detailed in a piece by the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
“Everyone is so good at the Division I level, and at times, you’re going to get beat,” Sandfort told the center. “I’ve learned how to work through a lot of challenges. I’ve also learned a lot about myself and know when I need to take a little time for myself.”
According to Sport Psychology Today, only 25.7 percent of NCAA Division I athletic departments offer mental performance or mental health services. But it seems the need
“I was definitely motivated. I mature late, and there’s so much more things I know now mentally, and I feel like I just combined the two, and I feel like that’s leading to success .”
Iowa’s 38-21 win over Troy on Sept. 14, and eight kickoffs for 488 yards against Illinois State two weeks before.
In 2023, Stevens missed only three kicks over the first two months of the season and nailed a 52-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining to give Iowa a narrow victory over Northwestern.
Yet Stevens struggled down the stretch, connecting on 50 percent of his field goal tries after the matchup against the Wildcats. In the regular season finale verus Nebraska, Stevens missed the first extra point try of his career and wound up benched in the fourth quarter as backup Marhsall Meeder nailed the game-winning field goal.
Such a disappointing finish brought both messages of hate and support, Stevens said, adding that he oftentimes tried to mask his emotions in an effort to not bring down his teammates. Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods said Stevens had a “false confidence” that year.
“I was hiding how I was actually feeling for the sake of the room, and apparently they could see right through it,” Steven said.
Priebe-Tebbe encouraged Stevens to focus on his mood, recognizing how it’s affecting his play and how he can prevent it from being a hindrance.
“Last year, she was more so just keeping my head in the right areas,” Steven said. “It’s easy when things are going [well] to stay on a good mental track. It’s when things are going bad. What do you do? What happens?”
As athletics across the U.S. have better recognized the role of mental health in athletes, from the likes of former NBA player John Wall to gymnastics great Simone Biles, such a tactic is not unfamiliar even among Iowa’s student-athletes.
In fact, starting Iowa men’s basketball guard Payton Sandfort met with a sports psy-
is much higher.
“The demands and time constraints student-athletes face are much different than your typical college student,” Patricia EspePfeifer, the UI’s director of sports psychology and student-athlete mental health, told the center. “They have team practices, travel schedules, and classes—and, like other college students, they’re also away from home for the first time. Young adults all navigate it differently.”
As Stevens developed his mental response with the sports psychologist, he employed a two-fold strategy that has contributed to his improvements this season.
First, he looked back at what he did well in his freshman year. Second, maximized his reps to get a better feel for the ball.
“I was definitely motivated,” Stevens said. “I mature late, and there’s so much more things I know now mentally, and I feel like I just combined the two, and I feel like that’s leading to success.”
Stevens still sees the sports psychologist this season even with his solid start, this time with bringing along long snapper Luke Elkin and the rest of the team’s specialist unit.
“She’s really good just helping us with where our heads are at before the game,” Stevens said. “The preparation during the week is just as important as preparation on game day, and she helps us out with that.”
When Stevens trots out on the turf at Kinnick Stadium for Iowa’s game against Washington, the kicker’s authenticity will be as plain to see as the No. 18 on his black Hawkeye jersey. With his reinvented psyche, Stevens won’t shy away from anyone.
“If I’m feeling like s***, I’m going to show it to you. If I’m feeling good, I’m going to show it to you,” Stevens said. “Because I’m a human, and hiding it is harder and takes more energy than actually just expressing it.”
Cody Blissett | The Daily Iowan Iowa kicker Drew Stevens prepares to kick the ball during a football game between No. 3 Ohio State and Iowa at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 5. The Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes, 35-7. Stevens collected 130 kickoff yards against the Buckeyes.
Drew Stevens Iowa kicker
One on One: Terrell Washington Jr.
The Daily Iowan Pregame Editor Matt McGowan spoke with the Hawkeye running back on Iowa football media day on Aug. 9.
Matt McGowan Pregame Editor matt.mcgowan @dailyiowan.com
The Daily Iowan: What’s something that people underrate?
Terrell Washington Jr.: Well, me personally, I like anime. I know not a lot of people like anime, so that’s one of the ones I go to first.
What’s your top three anime?
I like “Attack on Titan.” That’s definetely my favorite one so far. I guess everybody got to go with “Naruto” because that’s old school. I’ve been watching a lot of “Seven Deadly Sins,” too. I like that one.
Who’s your favorite character?
I gotta go with Naruto, but I like Sasuke too.
How did you get into this?
When I got older, more of my friends were showing me stuff. They used to come up to me, like, ‘You should watch anime.’ I was like, ‘Nah, they always talk bad about it. I finally gave it a chance, and I’ve been watching it since.
Conversely, what’s something you think is over rated?
Overrated? I think salad is overrated.
What’s your favorite food then?
Definitely fettuccine Alfredo. A little chicken Alfredo.
What’s your go-to pregame song?
I like old school, so I’d probably be listening to some thing like Anthony Hamilton.
What’s something you wish was an Olympic sport?
Have you ever watched the people playing professional tag? I really got into that watching it on YouTube, and I think that would make a great Olympic sport.
You think you could play that?
Yeah, I feel like I could compete in that, definitely. The way they get in and out of the divots and corners, I like that.
What’s your favorite thing to do back home?
My go-to thing, as soon as I go home, every time I go chill with my family. I like going to pick up my little cousin, hang out with them, show them what I went thro ugh. They like to hear about it.
Do you have a talent outside of football?
I mean, I can cook. I’m really good at cooking. That might be opinion-based, but I feel like I can cook.
Have your teammates tried your cooking?
Yeah, [running back] Kamari [Moulton] tried it. [Wide receiver] Jarriett Buie tried it. They definitely always eat it when I make it. We live together so we pitch in with the food. Whatever they want, I see if I can make it. Or if I can try to make it.
What’s the most complex thing you had to make? The most difficult?
Everybody wants their steak differently, so I guess steak. But that’s not very complex.
#8 Terrell Washington Jr.
• Redshirt freshman
• Running back
• 5-foot-11
• Wylie, TX
Where’s the favorite place you’ve been on vacaI like Jamaica. I went to Jamaica and liked the Jama-
What’s the dream car?
A Camaro ZL1. I love that car so much. Midnight red. Red LEDs under it. Black rims. I’ve got the setup in my head already.
What’s the pet peeve?
I’m a fairly quiet person, so being too loud at certain moments. That’s definitely one.
Emily Nyberg | The Daily Iowan Iowa running back Terrell Washington Jr. runs the ball during a football game between Iowa and Illinois State on Aug. 31 at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes defeated the Redbirds, 40-0.
Friday | 7 p.m. |
Northwestern (2-2, 0-1)
Maryland (3-2, 0-2)
SECU Stadium College Park, MD
The NCAA is smart for having these two teams play when no other teams are playing, because I wouldn’t turn this game on intentionally.
Line: Maryland -10.5 O/U: 45.5
Saturday | 11 a.m. |
Washington (4-2, 2-1) Iowa (3-2, 1-1) Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
No. 4 Penn State (5-0, 2-0) USC (3-2, 1-2) LA Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA
Power Rankings Game Guide
WEEK SEVEN
Saturday | 6:30 p.m. |
No. 2 OSU (5-0, 2-0) No. 3 Oregon (5-0, 2-0) Auzten Stadium Eugene, OR
Going from Pennsylvania to California for a conference game will take some getting used to. That’s a long 2,567mile trip for an easy win.
Line: Penn State -4 O/U: 50.5
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
Purdue (1-4, 0-2) No. 23 Illinois (4-1, 1-1) Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL
The first Iowa game featuring one of the newest members of the Big Ten. There shouldn’t be even a patch of purple in the stands on Saturday.
Line: Iowa -2.5
O/U: 41.5
Saturday | 11 a.m. |
Wisconsin (3-2, 1-1) Rutgers (4-1, 1-1)
SHI Stadium Piscataway, NJ
I’m not buying Rutgers’ 4-0 start, and I don’t have a clear reason as to why. With that being said, I’ll put my money on a Wisconsin road win.
Line: Rutgers -2.5 O/U: 41.5
Two basketball schools meeting on the gridiron once again. I could see Zach Edey playing tight end — throw him slot passes all game.
Line: Illinois -23 O/U: 48.5
Game of the week. Oregon is good and Dillon Gabriel is a dawg, but I can’t be the only one who expects Ohio State to give the Ducks a whooping.
Line: Ohio State -3 O/U: 53.5
Saturday | 8 p.m. |
UCLA (1-4, 0-3) Minnesota (3-3, 1-2) Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA
The perfect mid-off — Minnesota is buns at football, and UCLA is not any better. A Gophers win at the Rose Bowl is almost inevitable.
Line: Minnesota -5 O/U: 40.5
1. Ohio State
Who else would be number one right now?
2. Oregon
Oregon could steal the top spot with a win over OSU this weekend.
3. Penn State
We knew it’d be good, but we didn’t think it’d be this good.
4. Indiana
But nobody expected Indiana to be remotely good.
5. Michigan
The subtle collapse of Michigan brings peace among CFB.
6. Washington
The Huskies beat Michigan. Michigan’s still ranked, and they’re not?
7. Illinois
Fraudulent season thus far.
8. Iowa
The gift that just keeps on giving (read that with sarcasm).
9. USC
From 11th in the rankings to unranked ... tough luck.
10. Nebraska
Fake Mahomes is doing his best to keep the team afloat.
11. Rutgers
Nebraska exposed its 4-0 start real bad.
12. Wisconsin
Mid. Mid. Mid.
13. Minnesota
Koi Perich might’ve had the interception of the year.
14. Michigan State
Even more mid than Wisconsin.
15. Maryland
Should’ve stayed in the ACC.
16. Northwestern
Building a smaller stadium and hoping to fill it is more than sad.
17. Purdue
Boiling its way to the very bottom of the conference.
18. UCLA
Nothing good to say because the Bruins aren’t good.
Chris Meglio Pregame Reporter
On The Line
IOWA
Kirk should visit Seattle’s Gum Wall to celebrate.
OHIO STATE
Oh, oh, oh I don’t know, Jim.
LSU
Why does Tiger Stadium’s field have markers every five yards?
TEXAS
I’m more of a “Green River” fan. The youth have no idea.
USC
We HaVE tO tAkE a BuS to tHe aIrPorT. Boo hoo, James Franklin.
IOWA STATE
Ah, let ’em have their fun. I’ll support another Matt.
The Daily Iowan staff share their predictions and thoughts on this week’s upcoming games.
IOWA And I thought the “falling asleep in the press box” days were over.
OHIO STATE
Expose the flukes.
LSU Home court advantage. Ball up top.
TEXAS
Need Texas to win out for the sake of peace among my friends.
PENN STATE
From No. 11 to unranked is wild for USC.
IOWA STATE
I already know Brad let his bias in on this one.
IOWA
I feel bad for the Husky fans waking up at 9 a.m. to watch a loss.
OHIO STATE
This is a coin flip, but Ohio State is the more physical team here.
LSU Gotta give props to the team that has a live tiger as a mascot.
TEXAS
This game always seems to be a shootout.
PENN STATE
What even is a Nittany Lion?
WEST VIRGINIA F*** State.
IOWA
I chose Iowa over OSU, you think I’d pick Washington?
OHIO STATE Jeremiah Smith will snag another one-handed catch.
LSU Is Ole Miss really like that?
TEXAS
The true No. 1 team in the country.
PENN STATE
I know nothing about Penn State, but it’s good.
IOWA Iowa is better than Michigan; hear me out.
OHIO STATE Who’s got the bigger “O”?
LSU
Nighttime in Baton Rouge; good luck.
TEXAS
Texas could start its third-stringer and still win.
PENN STATE Miller Moss is seeing ghosts.
WEST VIRGINIA
Tired of Cyclone fans thinking they’re good at football.
IOWA
Huskies get an early wake-up call.
OREGON
Battle of NIL dollars.
IOWA Does this make up for the two Rose Bowls?
OHIO STATE OSU’s march to the national title continues.
LSU
A lot of these kinds of games in the SEC coming up.
OKLAHOMA
Always a great Big 12 — sorry, SEC — rivalry.
PENN STATE
Hopefully Lincoln Riley won’t have to police the post-game questions.
OLE MISS
De facto playoff elimination game.
TEXAS
A classic SEC showdown.
PENN STATE
This is not the matchup we hoped it would be.
IOWA STATE
I gotta make a comeback somehow.
WEST VIRGINIA Road trap for the Cyclones?
WEST VIRGINIA
Nobody really wants to see the ‘Clones in the playoffs.
Matt McGowan Pregame Editor 18-12 Colin Votzmeyer Sports Editor 20-10 Asst. Sports Editor 19-11
Chris Meglio Pregame Reporter 19-11 AJ Reisetter DITV Sports Director 17-13 John Bohnenkamp
Jackson Casteel brings the party with him
The 7-year-old from Panora, Iowa, embraces what life has to offer.
Matt McGowan Pregame Editor
matt.mcgowan@dailyiowan.com
While Jackson Casteel is non-verbal, the 7-year-old boy still makes his voice heard — and that voice is uniquely his. The boy from Panora, Iowa, has an augmented and alternative communication, or AAC, device mounted on the headrest of a wheelchair. The AAC is a tablet that essentially serves as a sounding board for his personality. All he has to do is tap his head against a certain button, and his “Jacksonisms” are loud and clear.
Just saying, “Hello,” doesn’t cut it for Jackson. Instead, it’s, “Heyya.”
Neither does “Goodbye,” which is replaced with “See you later, gator.”
“It’s been really fun to see him be able to unlock that piece of himself and express himself more and more every year,” Jackson’s mother Sara said.
Coupled with Jackson’s joyous character is an ardent passion for the Hawkeyes. His AAC was recently equipped with a cheering section, allowing the boy to say “Go Hawks” as many times as he pleases. Such will come in handy on Saturday when Jackson will serve as the Kid Captain for Iowa football’s matchup against Washington.
For Sara, her son has been a fighter ever since he came out of the womb. Born premature at 34 weeks, Jackson was diagnosed with an unknown genetic disease and brain bleeds, which Sara said caused some neurological complications. She explained how doctors in Des Moines told her that Jackson was unlikely to make it to term, and even if he did, would have a small chance of surviving.
“We were prepared for the worst situation, but we said,
KID CAPTAIN Favorites
Color: Animal: Ponies
‘If he shows us that he wants to fight, then please fight for him,’” Sara remembered. “That was our biggest thing.”
So when Jackson was born screaming and crying, his mother wasn’t just surprised, but encouraged. Jackson spent six weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit before transferring to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. There, Sara and her husband Ross met their doctor, Amy Calhoun, who Sara said bore a wide smile as she delivered an inspiring message.
“She said, ‘Here’s the deal. Jackson’s never read the textbooks. He doesn’t know what he’s not supposed to do. He’s just living his life.’ And that really resonated with us, and we’ve kept that in the back of our minds as we’ve gone down this journey.”
Doctors at UIHC performed further genetic testing, and at 10-months-old, Jackson was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Chondrodysplasia Punctata X-Linked Recessive Type 1, also known
as CDPX1. The condition is a form of dwarfism estimated to affect 150 males worldwide.
As Jackson grew up, special ists found other results from his brain breeds – these being spastic quad cerebral palsey, cortical vision impairment, and optic nerve hypoplasia. Jackson attends a school for the blind in addition to his general education in Pamona.
After spending a majority of his first two years of life in a hospital, Jackson is now in what his mom calls “maintenance mode,” checking in with specialists every 3-6 months to ensure no additional complications to his genetic condition. Sara said Jackson has become more medically stable over the years and hit several milestones, including the ability to wave his arms, nod his head, and help himself up from lying down.
In his free time, the second-grade Jackson has fun through accommodations built by his parents, who each grew up on farms and are handy with tools. A mechanic in his
younger years, Ross helped craft toys Jackson could play with despite his son’s limited hand-eye coordination.
Playing T-ball, all Jackson has to do is press a button, and the bat swings for him.
A fishing pole attached to his wheelchair allows him to go fishing with his dad. Timber Creek Charities and Therapies offers horseback riding for Jackson, something his mom thought he would never be able to do.
Through all of his various activities, Sara said Jackson
“carries the party with him,” loving to be around others and travel to new places. When he first met Iowa’s mascot, Herky, at Kids’ Day at Kinnick in August, Jackson broke down in tears of joy.
“Jackson’s a very complex kid, but he doesn’t know any different and is just living his life,” Sara said. “For all intensive purposes, he’s thriving for a kid who’s not supposed to be here.”
The day before the Iowa-Washington game, Jackson and his family will deliver
adaptive and traditional toys to UIHC as part of a toy drive for the hospital. The Casteels have a nonprofit called Adaptive Designs, which Sara said aims to help families modify toys rather than pay for expensive toys with accommodations. She said that last year, the nonprofit helped 200 families.
“Our day-to-day life looks different, but I wouldn’t know what to do with a quintessential, ‘normal,’ typical kid,” Sara said. “Jackson has influenced our family and our friends in so many different ways.”
Isabella Tisdale | The Daily Iowan
Jackson Casteel, 7, poses for a portrait during Kids’ Day at Kinnick on Aug. 10.
