Hawkeyes surging back into West title race
Iowa has won its last three games games, moving back into contention in its division.
Austin Hanson Pregame Editor
Iowa football’s threegame winning streak might have a new name.
After the Hawkeyes’ 24-3 win over Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Nov. 5, two fans — @adam_jacobi and @kalama_pat — took to Twitter to label Iowa’s midseason revitalization as “The Spennaissance” and “The Petrolution.”
The Spennaissance is named after Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras, who has thrown
for 506 yards and scored five touchdowns over the last three weeks. He’s committed one turnover since Oct. 29 — a fumble he lost during the first quarter of the Hawkeyes’ 24-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on Nov. 12.
Petras threw for 989 yards and two touchdowns in the Hawkeyes’ first seven games of 2022. He threw five interceptions and fumbled three times.
Petras was benched in favor of backup quarterback Alex Padilla at halftime of Iowa’s 54-10 loss to Ohio State in Columbus on Oct.
22, but has played all of Iowa’s snaps since then.
Iowa’s offense has scored 74 points and gained 920 yards in its last three outings. The Hawkeyes put up 83 points and 1,591 yards in Weeks 1-8.
“It’s more of a ‘Hawkissaince,’” Petras said of Iowa’s late-season run. “We’re playing good team football right now.”
Iowa’s offense hasn’t been the lone driver of this revival. The Hawkeyes put up 146 total yards and 17 offensive points against the Badgers, averaging 2.1 yards per play.
4 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022
Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive back Riley Moss blocks a pass during a football game between Iowa and Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 12. The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers, 24-10.
As it has throughout the season, Iowa’s defensive and special teams units helped push the Hawkeyes’ struggling offense to victory against Wisconsin. Defensive back Cooper DeJean scored six points on a pick six and gained 82 yards via kick return against Wisconsin. He also had 10 tackles as Iowa’s defense held Wisconsin to 227 yards — 51 rushing and 176 passing — and 10 points.
“It’s definitely a lot of fun to be able to see us progress in November,” junior defensive end Logan Lee said. “It really just shows how much we’re willing to fight, how much we’re willing to improve each week. You can really see the progress. That’s why November means so much to us as a team.”
Iowa started the season 3-4. Since then, the Hawkeyes have rallied to bowl eligibility at 6-4. The Hawkeyes lost three games
in a row from Oct. 1 to Oct. 22, falling to Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio State. The Wolverines, Fighting Illini, and Buckeyes have all been ranked in the AP Top 25 this season.
The Hawkeyes didn’t make any wholesale changes at practice during their three-game losing skid. Sophomore wide receiver Diante Vines — who returned against Ohio State after missing the first six games with a wrist injury — said Iowa’s newfound winning ways are the result of superior execution in games.
“I think everything is kinda the same,” Vines said. “We’re just getting the results we were missing in the beginning of the year. We’re just playing a lot more clean football right now. We’re executing at a way higher level than we were in the beginning.”
These Hawkeyes aren’t the first Kirk Ferentz-
coached team to get hot at the end of the season. Iowa has won 13 consecutive games in November dating back to the 2019 season.
“A big thing is just being consistent,” cornerback Riley Moss said. “Taking it week-by-week, one day at a time — that’s the biggest thing. With a lot of teams, you start to see how the [College Football Playoff] is working out and you’re looking toward what kind of bowl game you’re going to get.
“In reality, it helps a lot more to take it day-by-day and week-by-week and just keep stacking those weeks. It’s all going to play itself out. I just think it’s not looking ahead, being able to compartmentalize what you need to do.”
Iowa is currently one of four teams tied for first place in the Big Ten West Division. Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Purdue all have identical 4-3 conference
records. Wisconsin isn’t far behind with a 3-4 mark in league play.
None of the four teams control their own destiny, but Illinois, Iowa, and Purdue have the most direct paths to the Big Ten Championship Game.
The Fighting Illini can make it to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis with wins over Michigan and Northwestern on Nov. 19 and 26, respectively, and one Purdue loss.
If Iowa loses to Minnesota this weekend or Nebraska on Nov. 25, and Purdue beats Northwestern and Indiana in Weeks 12 and 13, the Boilermakers would appear in the league title game.
If Iowa wins its last two games and Illinois loses to either Michigan or Northwestern, the Hawkeyes will be heading to Indianapolis.
“Our head coach’s messages have been
consistent,” Petras said. “It’s always usually consistent. It’s just that, if that’s meant to happen, it will happen. And our focus is on Minnesota because that’s all we can control right now.”
Ferentz said he’s been encouraging his players to keep pushing forward this season. Even when the Hawkeyes were 3-4, Ferentz told his squad not to dwell on the past and to focus on one game at a time.
“One thing I wanted the guys to understand — it’s a 12-game schedule,” Ferentz said. “... Again, it’s so simple. If you give up the fight, then it’s more than predictable what the outcome is going to be. So, at least you’ve got to give yourself a chance and give yourself a chance to see what you can do.
“And there’s not much you do in life that’s worth doing or feeling good about that you’re not going to have setbacks. It’s just the history of the world.”
While the Golden Gophers aren’t in direct contention for the division title, they aren’t completely eliminated. If both Illinois and Purdue lose one of their last two games, Minnesota could make it to Indianapolis with wins over Iowa and Wisconsin.
Iowa opened the week as a three-point underdog to Minnesota. The game’s total is set at 32.5 with high temperatures only expected to reach about 15 degrees at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
To make it to Indianapolis, the Hawkeyes will likely have to keep The Spennaissance alive and extend their winning streak to five games — which is exactly what Petras plans to do.
“Yeah, it’s good,” Petras said. “It’s good. Let’s keep The Spennaissance going.”
austin-hanson@uiowa.edu
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022 - 5
Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive linemen Noah Shannon and Logan Lee tackle Wisconsin running back Isaac Guerendo during a football game between Iowa and Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 12. The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers, 24-10.
Jerod RIngwald/The Daily Iowan
Big Ten Championship trophies are seen during day one of Big Ten Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The event marked the 50th annual Big Ten Media Days.
0 Diante Vines WR 6-0 198 Soph Danbury, CT
1 Xavier Nwankpa DB 6-2 210 Fr Pleasant Hill, IA
1 Aaron Blom K 5-11 189 Soph Oskaloosa, IA
2 Kaleb Johnson RB 6-0 212 Fr Hamilton, OH
2 Terry Roberts DB 5-10 182 Sr Erie, PA
3 Carson May QB 6-3 221 Fr Jones, OK
3 Cooper DeJean DB 6-1 209 Soph Odebolt, IA
4 Leshon Williams RB 5-10 210 Soph Chicago, IL
4 Koen Entringer DB 6-0 199 Fr Ypsilanti, MI
5 Joe Labas QB 6-4 207 #Fr Brecksville, OH
5 Jestin Jacobs LB 6-4 238 Jr Englewood, OH
6 Keagan Johnson WR 6-1 194 Soph Bellevue, NE
6 TJ Hall DB 6-0 183 Fr Fresno, CA
7 Spencer Petras QB 6-5 231 Sr San Rafael, CA
7 Reggie Bracy DB 6-0 209 Jr Mobile, AL
8 Alex Padilla QB 6-1 200 Jr Greenwood Village, CO
8 Deshaun Lee DB 5-10 174 Fr Belleville, MI
9 Jaziun Patterson RB 5-10 188 Fr Pompano Beach, FL
9 Tory Taylor P 6-4 230 Jr Melbourne, Australia
10 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
13 Reese Osgood WR 5-11 176 Fr Franklin, WI
13 Joe Evans DE 6-2 246 Sr Ames, IA
14 Brody Brecht WR 6-4 217 #Fr Ankeny, IA
15 Jacob Bostick WR 6-2 171 Fr Palatine, IL
15 Dallas Craddieth DB 5-11 207 Sr St. Louis, MO
16 Jordan Kumm WR 5-9 188 Soph Ankeny, IA
16 Jamison Heinz DB 6-0 205 Soph Humboldt, IA
17 Max White RB 5-10 203 #Fr Cedar Rapids, IA
17 Brenden Deasfernandes DB 6-0 192 Soph Belleville, MI
18 Alec Wick WR 6-1 196 #Fr Iowa City, IA
18 Drew Stevens K 6-0 180 Fr North Augusta, SC
19 Graham Friedrichsen WR 6-1 183 Fr Urbandale, IA
19 Gaven Cooke DB 6-1 184 #Fr Kentfield, CA
20 Deavin Hilson RB 6-1 192 #Fr Des Moines, IA
20 Kael Kolarik DB 6-0 211 Fr Indianola, IA
21 Kaden Wetjen WR 5-10 191 Soph Williamsburg, IA
21 Thomas Hartlieb DB 5-11 193 Jr Madison, WI
22 Nolan Donald RB 5-9 197 Jr Morton, IL
22 Carter Erickson DB 6-0 181 Fr Indianola, IA
23 Landyn Van Kekerix LB 6-1 198 Fr Inwood, IA
25 Gavin Williams RB 6-0 214 Soph Altoona, IA
25 Kelby Telander LB 6-4 228 #Fr North Liberty, IA
26 Kaevon Merriweather DB 6-0 212 Sr Belleville, MI
27 Jack Johnson WR 6-0 194 Soph West Des Moines, IA
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Jermari Harris DB 6-1 190 Jr Chicago, IL
40 Josef Smith LB 6-3 233 Soph Britt, IA 41 Jaden Harrell LB 6-2 239 #Fr Urbandale, IA 42 Denin Limouris FB 6-2 234 #Fr Glen Ellyn, IL 42 Zach Twedt LB 6-3 240 #Fr Story City, IA 43 Karson Sharar LB 6-2 224 #Fr Iowa Falls, IA 44 Seth Benson LB 6-0 232 Sr Sioux Falls, SD 45 Deontae Craig DL 6-3 266 Soph Fort Wayne, IN 45 Nick Phelps P 5-10 200 Sr Kingsley, IA 46 Logan Klemp LB 6-2 235 Sr Jewell, IA 48 Max Llewellyn DL 6-5 243 #Fr Urbandale, IA 49 Andrew Lentsch TE 6-4 252 #Fr West Des Moines, IA 49 Ethan Hurkett DL 6-3 252 Soph Cedar Rapids, IA 50 Louie Stec DL 6-0 268 Jr La Grange Park, IL 51 Luke Gaffney DL 6-2 247 Fr Robins, IA 52 Asher Fahey OL 6-5 289 Soph Waukon, IA 53 Michael Myslinski OL 6-3 287 #Fr Jacksonville, FL 54 Matt Fagan OL 6-5 296 Sr Council Bluffs, IA 54 Dominic Wiseman DL 5-11 274 Fr Davenport, IA 55 Jeremiah Pittman DL 6-3 297 #Fr Palatine, IL 56 Nick DeJong OL 6-6 300 Jr Pella, IA 57 Will Hubert DL 6-3 247 Fr Omaha, NE 58 Taylor Fox OL 6-3 292 Jr Winthrop, IA 59 Griffin Liddle OL 6-3 282 #Fr Bettendorf, IA 63 Justin Britt OL 6-4 301 Jr Indianapolis, IN 65 Logan Jones OL 6-3 283 Soph Council Bluffs, IA 66 Jeremy Chaplin OL 6-2 263 #Fr Waverly, IA 67 Gennings Dunker OL 6-5 316 #Fr Lena, IA 69 Tyler Endres OL 6-6 297 Jr Norwalk, IA 70 Beau Stephens OL 6-6 307 #Fr Blue Springs, MO 71 Jack Dotzler OL 6-6 266 Fr Waunakee, WI 72 Kale Krogh OL 6-5 276 Fr Huxley, IA 73 David Davidkov OL 6-6 309 #Fr Glenview, IL 75 Josh Volk OL 6-4 308 Soph Cedar Rapids, IA 76 Tyler Elsbury OL 6-5 308 Soph Byron, IL 77 Connor Colby OL 6-6 308 Soph Cedar Rapids, IA 78 Mason Richman OL 6-6 308 Soph Leawood, KS 79 Jack Plumb OL 6-7 297 Sr Green Bay, WI 80 Kyson Van Vugt TE 6-6 247 Fr Hull, IA 81 Cael Vanderbush TE 6-4 208 Fr Plainfield, IN 82 Johnny Pascuzzi TE 6-4 224 #Fr Olathe, KS 83 Alex Eichmann WR 6-2 193 Fr Sussex, WI 83 Jameson Witte DL 6-5 270 Soph O'Fallon, MO 84 Sam LaPorta TE 6-4 249 Sr Highland, IL 85 Luke Lachey TE 6-6 252 Soph Columbus, OH 85 Logan Lee DL 6-5 275 Jr Orion, IL 86 Steven Stilianos TE 6-5 264 Jr Hayes, VA 86 Jeff Bowie DL 6-5 270 #Fr West Branch, IA 87 Addison Ostrenga TE 6-4 234 Fr Sun Prairie, WI 87 Andrew Kraus DL 6-4 227 Fr Barrington, IL 88 Jackson Frericks TE 6-6 233 Jr Cedar Falls, IA 89 Nico Ragaini WR 6-0 196 Sr East Haven, CT 90 Brian Allen DE 6-4 263 Fr Lake in the Hills, IL 91 Lukas Van Ness DL 6-5 269 Soph Barrington, IL 92 John Waggoner DL 6-5 267 Sr Des Moines, IA 93 Anu Dokun DL 6-3 230 Soph Iowa City, IA 94 Yahya Black DL 6-5 306 Soph Marshall, MN 95 Aaron Graves DL 6-4 271 Fr Dayton, IA 96 Lucas Amaya K 6-2 209 Jr Muskego, WI 97 Caden Crawford DL 6-4 253 Fr Lansing, KS 97 Liam Reardon LS 6-1 223 Soph Chicago, IL 98 Chris Reames DL 6-7 274 Jr Van Meter, IA 99 Noah Shannon DL 6-0 289 Sr Montgomery, IL 99 Max Hoskins P 6-1 175 Fr Salem, OR
29 Jackson Ritter WR 6-3 209 Jr Frankfort, IL 29 Sebastian Castro DB 5-11 207 Jr Oak Lawn, IL 30 Quinn Schulte DB 6-1 208 Jr Cedar Rapids, IA 31 Jack Campbell LB 6-5 246 Sr Cedar Falls, IA 32 Johnny Plewa FB 6-0 240 Jr Franklin, WI 32 Eli Miller LB 6-1 232 #Fr Sedalia, CO 33 Riley Moss DB 6-1 193 Sr Ankeny, IA 34 Zach Brand RB 5-11 210 #Fr Grimes, IA 34 Jay Higgins LB 6-2 229 Jr Indianapolis, IN 35 Justice Sullivan LB 6-2 230 #Fr Eden Prairie, MN 36 Jayden Montgomery LB 5-10 214 Fr Suamico, WI 37 Kyler Fisher LB 5-11 229 Jr Farnhamville, IA 38 Monte Pottebaum FB 6-1 244 Sr Larchwood, IA 38 Greg Fagan LB 6-3 214 Fr Council Bluffs, IA 39 Eric Epenesa LB 6-3 193 #Fr Glen Carbon, IL 39 Luke Elkin LS 6-1 227 Soph Neenah, WI 40 Turner Pallissard FB 6-0 243 Sr Frankfort, IL 6 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022
0 Le'Meke Brockington WR 6-0 200 #Fr Moultrie, GA
0 Jalen Glaze DB 6-0 185 Soph Tallahassee, FL
1 Ike White WR 5-11 185 Fr Philadelphia, PA
1 Trill Carter DL 6-2 300 Jr Leesburg, GA
2 Tanner Morgan QB 6-2 215 Sr Union, KY
2 Gage Keys DL 6-5 280 Soph Hilliard, OH
3 Trey Potts RB 5-11 210 Jr Williamsport, PA
3 Austin Booker DL 6-6 240 #Fr Greenwood, IN
4 Terell Smith DB 6-1 215 Sr Snellville, GA
5 Dylan Wright WR 6-3 210 Jr Dallas, TX
5 Justin Walley DB 5-11 185 Soph D'lberville, MS
6 Jacob Knuth QB 6-4 205 Fr Harrisburg, SD
6 Miles Fleming DB 5-11 195 Soph Columbus, OH
7 Chris Autman-Bell WR 6-1 210 Sr Kankakee, IL
7 Beanie Bishop DB 5-10 185 Jr Louisville, KY
8 Athan Kaliakmanis QB 6-4 210 #Fr Antioch, IL
8 Thomas Rush DL 6-3 250 Sr Marysville, OH
9 Daniel Jackson WR 6-0 200 Jr Shawnee Mission, KS
11 Michael Dixon DB 6-2 210 Jr Statesboro, GA
12 Cole Kramer QB 6-1 205 Jr Eden Prairie, MN
12 Darius Green DB 6-1 190 #Fr Covington, GA
13 Kristen Hoskins WR 5-9 170 Fr Alexandria, MN
13 Devon Williams LB 6-1 220 #Fr Dublin, OH 14 Evan Redding WR 5-11 180 Fr Menomonee Falls, WI 14 Braelen Oliver LB 6-0 230 Sr Douglasville, GA
15 Donald Willis LB 6-2 220 Jr Garfield Heights, OH
16 Coleman Bryson DB 6-2 210 Fr Waynesville, NC
17 Cade Conzemius WR 5-10 180 Fr Minnetonka, MN 17 Jah Joyner DL 6-5 250 Soph Danbury, CT
18 Clay Geary WR 5-10 200 Sr Lakeville, MN 18 Rhyland Kelly DB 6-2 180 Fr Winnipeg, MB 19 Samuel Pickerign TE 6-4 240 Sr Alpharetta, GA 19 Joey Gerlach LB 6-3 205 Fr Woodbury, MN 20 Cole Berghorn RB 5-11 200 Fr Walworth, WI 21
Bryce Williams RB 6-0 215 Sr Sarasota, FL 21 Steven Ortiz Jr. DB 6-0 180 #Fr Goodyear, AZ 22 Michael Brown-Stephens WR 5-11 195 Jr Springfield, OH 22 Ryan Stapp DB 6-0 175 Jr College Station, TX 23
Jordan Howden DB 6-0 210 Sr San Diego, CA 24 Mohamed Ibrahim RB 5-10 210 Sr Baltimore, MD
Tariq Watson DB 5-10 170 Fr Gretna, LA
Preston Jelen RB 5-10 210 Sr Prior Lake, MN
Aidan Gousby DB 6-0 180 Fr Lehigh Acres, FL
Zach Evans RB 5-10 205 Fr Heath, TX
Victor Pless DB 5-10 175 Soph Kennesaw, GA
Tyler Nubin DB 6-2 210 Sr Saint Charles, IL
Zach Jorgensen WR 6-2 185 Fr Fairmont, MN
Colton Gregersen DL 6-2 230 Fr Burnsville, MN
Josh Aune LB 6-2 235 Sr St. Paul, MN
Jordan Nubin RB 5-11 210 #Fr St. Charles, IL
Maverick Baranowski LB 6-3 210 Fr Ponce Inlet, FL
Max Grand RB 5-9 195 Fr Ellsworth, WI
Jack Tinnen LB 6-4 205 Fr Brookfield, WI
Derik LeCaptain LB 6-2 235 Jr Little Sturgeon, WI
Ryan Shamburger P 6-2 190 Jr McKinney, TX
37 Brady Weeks LS 6-0 215 Sr O'Fallon, MO
41 Cade Larson LB 6-1 205 Fr Harrisburg, SD 42 Jack Hawkinson DL 6-4 215 #Fr Frankfort, IL 43 Eli Mau LB 6-2 225 #Fr Victoria, MN
44 Tyler Stolsky LB 6-2 225 Fr Portage, MI
45 Cody Lindenberg LB 6-3 235 Soph Anoka, MN
46 Lucas Finnessy LB 6-3 240 Soph Sussex, WI
47 Hayden Schwartz DL 6-4 245 Fr Jacksonville, FL
48 Jacob Lewis K 6-2 215 Jr Delaware, OH
49 Austin Sullivan LS 6-3 235 Jr Slate Hill, NY
50 JJ Guedet OL 6-7 310 Jr Washington, IL
52 Luther McCoy DL 6-5 305 #Fr Saint Johns, FL
52 Spencer Alvarez TE 6-6 260 Fr Columbia Heights, MN
55 Karter Shaw OL 6-4 310 Sr South Jordan, UT
55 Mariano Sori-Marin LB 6-3 245 Sr Mokena, IL
57 Cameron James OL 6-8 305 #Fr Chicago, IL
58 Jackson Hunter OL 6-6 275 #Fr Oconomowoc, WI
59 Tony Nelson OL 6-6 280 Fr Tracy, MN
60 John Michael Schmitz OL 6-4 320 Sr Flossmoor, IL
62 Jacob Schuster DL 6-2 300 #Fr Tumwater, WA
65 Axel Ruschmeyer OL 6-4 305 Sr Hutchinson, MN
66 Nathan Boe OL 6-5 300 Sr Lakeville, MN
68 Jackson Ruschmeyer OL 6-4 295 Soph Hutchinson, MN
69 Aireontae Ersery OL 6-6 325 Soph Kansas City, MO
70 Cade McConnell OL 6-5 300 Fr Choctaw, OK
71 Martes Lewis OL 6-7 330 Soph Merrillville, IN
73 Tyrell Lawrence OL 6-7 355 Soph Mississauga, ON
75 Tyler Cooper OL 6-5 310 Jr Saint Croix Falls, WI
76 Chuck Filiaga OL 6-6 330 Sr Aledo, TX
77 Quinn Carroll OL 6-6 310 Sr Edina, MN
78 Ashton Beers OL 6-5 300 Fr Slinger, WI
79 Logan Purcell OL 6-7 260 #Fr Annandale, MN
80 Dino Kaliakmanis WR 6-2 200 #Fr Antioch, IL
80 Anthony Smith DL 6-6 280 Fr Shippensburg, PA
81 Quentin Redding WR 5-7 150 #Fr Menomonee Falls, WI
82 Wyatt Schroeder TE 6-5 260 Soph Saint Francis, MN 84 Jack DiSano TE 6-4 245 Fr Glenview, IL 85 Frank Bierman TE 6-3 245 Jr Tipton, IA 86 Jameson Geers TE 6-6 250 #Fr Channahon, IL 87 Nick Kallerup TE 6-5 270 Jr Wayzata, MN 88 Brevyn Spann-Ford TE 6-7 270 Sr St. Cloud, MN 89 Nathan Jones TE 6-5 235 Fr Brock, TX 89 Nate Becker DL 6-5 260 #Fr Maple Grove, MN 90 Darnell Jefferies DL 6-2 295 Sr Covington, GA 91 Deven Eastern DL 6-6 290 #Fr Shakopee, MN 92 Danny Striggow DL 6-5 250 Soph Long Lake, MN 93 Kyler Baugh DL 6-2 300 Sr Talihina, OK 95 Matthew Trickett K 6-0 195 Sr Cleveland, OH 96 Logan Richter DL 6-4 325 Jr Perham, MN 96 Mark Crawford P 6-5 220 Jr West Perth, Australia 97 Jalen Logan-Redding DL 6-4 275 Soph Columbia, MO 98 Trey Bixby DL 6-4 250 Fr Eden Prairie, MN 99 Lorenza Surgers DL 6-5 275 Sr Cary, NC 99 Dragan Kesich K 6-4 230 Jr Oak Creek, WI
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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022 - 7
The Daily Iowan: What does it mean for you to come from Connecticut out here to Iowa?
Diante Vines: It’s pretty big, just because not a lot of people make it this far. Being from the East Coast and coming to the Midwest, it’s a blessing to come to a school this big and play in the Big Ten. To represent the Hawkeyes is pretty cool for me.
DI: What was it like grow ing up in Connecticut, going to school there and stuff?
Vines: It’s pretty cool. My first high school, Dan bury High, was a pretty fun school. I had all my best bud dies from when I was young er. We all went to the same high school, so that was a pretty good time. Then, I went to Taft. It was a pretty good time as well. It was dif ferent because now I was in a boarding school, but it still was a fun time. I got to expe rience life away from home early, and it kind of helped me out to come here.
DI: So, you also played basketball. What was your basketball career like?
Vines: I was a [Fairfield County Interscholastic Ath letic Conference] defender in
high school. I won the FCI AC Championship in high school, so it was a pretty good career. I scored a couple points in my time and played a lot of defense but had a fun time playing high school basketball.
DI: What position did you play?
Vines: Shooting guard.
DI: So, were you more of a facilitator or more of a
shooter?
Vines: I got my buckets. I got some buckets, but I did it all for us, really. I would de fend the best player on the court, usually, and also con tribute any way I could on the offensive side.
DI: Were you interested in playing basketball in college or just football?
Vines: Growing up, I wanted to play basketball
in college. I just understood I was better at football, so I wanted to play football.
DI: What does wearing No. 0 mean to you?
Vines: It means a lot that they trust me to actually wear No. 0 here at the uni versity. Being the first person to wear it is a blessing and honor to do it. I appreciate the coaches a lot for trusting me to start the number off right and have the legacy to
start with the No. 0.
DI: What types of movies do you like to see?
Vines: I like all types of movies. I’m a cinema major. Scary movies are pretty cool. I usually don’t get scared of them, but they’re a cool thing to watch. I’m more fond of comedies though.
DI: What’s your favorite comedy you’ve seen?
Vines: “Friday” is a good one. “Rush Hour,” all those Rush Hours are good.
DI: What are you doing with that major?
Vines: Hopefully, after my football career is over, maybe I can write some screenplays and hopefully film or pro duce the screenplays I write.
DI: Are you just a cinema major, or are you majoring in anything else?
Vines: I minor in African American studies.
DI: Nico Ragaini is also from Connecticut. What’s it like having another receiver in the facility from the same state as you?
Vines: That’s my dog. Didn’t know him when he was in Connecticut, but it’s pretty cool that we made it here and now we’re sharing the field. Like last week, me and him played a lot of snaps together. So, it’s pretty crazy for two people from small Connecticut to make it to one of the biggest stages and get to share the field togeth er.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Read the full interview at dailyiowan.com
8 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022
with Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines
Daily Iowan Football Reporter Isaac Goffin chatted with Vines at a media availability session on Nov. 8.
Isaac Goffin Football Reporter
isaac-goffin@uiowa.edu
Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan
Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines runs after a reception during a football game between Iowa and Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 12. The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers, 24-10.
Veronica Sullivan still overcoming adversity
The 7-year-old still visits medical professionals regularly as she fights the effects of transverse myelitis and KBG Syndrome.
Austin Hanson Pregame Editor
Veronica Sullivan’s fa vorite part of Kinnick Sta dium is its pink visitors’ locker room. Iowa foot ball’s Week 13 Kid Captain got a chance to see the pink walls and plumbing fixtures during Kids Day at Kinnick on Aug. 13.
When Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz visited with the Sullivan family at Kinn ick four months ago, Ve ronica’s sister, Genevieve, suggested the Hawkeyes put pink paper towels and toilet paper in the away locker room.
A facility tour and chat with Ferentz wasn’t the only highlight of Kids’ Day for Veronica and her fami ly. She also had a chance to swarm out of the Hawkeyes’ home tunnel alongside de fensive end Joe Evans.
Six years ago, Veroni ca’s parents didn’t know if she’d ever get a chance to experience life like other grade schoolers do — much less have a chance to trot onto Duke Slater Field.
On Sept. 9, 2016, Veron ica’s mother, Barb Sulli van, sensed something was bothering her then-16month-old daughter. Ve ronica ran into Barb’s arms crying when she was picked up from daycare, prompt ing a visit to a local urgent care clinic.
Veronica was then given
an antibiotic injection to combat a double ear infec tion. At the time, Veronica dealt with ear infections frequently.
Clinicians sent her home after the injection and mandated a follow-up vis it. The next morning, Barb and Veronica returned to the clinic. An examination indicated Veronica’s ear in fection had cleared up.
Hours after Veronica returned home from the clinic, things took a turn for the worse. She became lethargic and unresponsive around noon. Her parents took her to an emergency room near their home in Marion, Iowa, soon after.
Veronica didn’t flinch while she underwent a number of tests — includ ing a spinal tap — in the emergency room. When Veronica’s tests came back with inconclusive results, clinicians recommended she be transferred to the University of Iowa Hospi tals and Clinics.
Around 4 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2016, Barb said, Veron ica was shuttled to Iowa City via ambulance. Doc tors from multiple disci plines took Veronica’s case when she arrived at UIHC.
Veronica underwent more testing at UIHC and stayed in the Pediatric In tensive Care Unit for ap proximately a week while doctors collaborated with
medical experts across the U.S. to make a diagnosis.
Veronica’s physicians diagnosed her with trans verse myelitis after they discovered a lesion along her spinal cord.
“Basically, they said it’s an autoimmune disorder where her body thought her spinal cord was an in fection,” Barb said of the transverse myelitis diag nosis. “So, her body was slowly but surely trying to kill off her spinal cord. So, that’s why she was los ing all of her faculties and things like that.”
Veronica stayed at UIHC for about a month and was treated using a type of an tibody called immunoglob ulins.
When she finally re turned home, her parents had to learn how to care for her like the medical team at the hospital had. So, Barb and her husband Dave began to figure out how to place Veronica’s feeding tube and execute some of the therapies her doctors had prescribed.
“At that point, we weren’t sure what damage was done and what we were gonna be left with,” Barb said. “They said it’s kind of a 30 percent chance she would have nothing back — that she would stay as she was — a 30 percent chance that she would have some of her mobility and things
like that back, and a 30 per cent chance that she would be as close to normal as possible. Thank God we ended up on the top half of that.”
Veronica was on a feed ing tube for almost seven months. During that time, she started to undergo ge netic testing.
She was almost two years old when the evaluations started. She was about four years old by the time her test results were finalized in 2018. Genetic examina tion revealed that Veron ica had KBG Syndrome, and the ailment was the source of her epilepsy, vi sion problems, and short stature.
Veronica was also di agnosed with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome — a disorder that can com promise the structure of veins, arteries, and organs.
“On a base level, she’s more prone to things like bruising, fairer skin, thin ner skin,” Barb said. “On a much more serious level, she’s also more prone to things like spontaneous dissection of arteries, or gans, things like that.
“So, no contact sports. Kinda has to be followed by a specialist for that for the rest of her life. But on a day-to-day basis, it doesn’t seem to affect her too much.”
Now 7 years old, Veron
ica still makes frequent visits to UIHC to have her hearing and vision evalu ated. According to UIHC’s website, Veronica suffers from bilateral hearing loss and has undergone eye sur gery.
Barb said that, while the Iowa-Minnesota Kid Cap tain is still playing a little catch-up in the classroom and participating in speech therapy, she can now lead a normal life like her peers.
“I think she’s a pretty typical second-grader,” Barb said. “She likes to play with friends, swim, dance, and play on her iPad.”
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022 - 9
austin-hanson@uiowa.edu
Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Kid captain Veronica Sullivan walks out with Iowa defensive lineman Joe Evans speaks during Iowa football’s Kids’ Day at Kinnick in Iowa City on Aug. 13.
1. Ohio State
The Buckeyes are unshakeable.
2. Michigan
Do you think Michigan feels slighted because it’s always behind Ohio State?
3. Penn State
I truly have no thoughts about Penn State. 4. Minnesota
No one can stop Minnesota, especially in subzero temperatures.
5. Iowa
The Hawkeyes are zero to hero, just like Hercules.
6. Purdue
The train is working again.
7. Michigan State
Remember when the Spartans were ranked? Good times. 8. Illinois
Illinoisuhhhhh, what happenduhhhh? 9. Wisconsin
The Bull will be back up for grabs next year, Badgers.
Maryland East coast vibes don’t fit in the Big Ten.
Nebraska Corn! 12. Rutgers Why was Rutgers let into the conference again? 13. Indiana
I think we should just kick Indiana out of the conference. 14. Northwestern
I’m surprised Pat Fitzgerald hasn’t been fired yet.
No team controls its fate in the West, just as God intended.
ILLINOIS MICHIGAN
Saturday | 11:00 a.m. |
Illinois (7-3, 4-3) Michigan (10-0, 7-0)
Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI
Line: Michigan -18 O/U: 43
NORTHWESTERN
Saturday | 11:00 a.m. |
Northwestern (1-9, 1-6)
Purdue (6-4, 4-3)
Ross-Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN
Line: Purdue -20 O/U: 48
OHIO STATE
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
Ohio State (10-0, 7-0) Maryland (6-4, 3-4)
SECU Stadium College Park, MD
Line: Ohio State -27.5 O/U: 64.5
IOWA
Saturday | 3:00 p.m. |
Iowa (6-4, 4-3) Minnesota (7-3, 4-3)
Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN
Line: Minnesota -2.5 O/U: 32.5
Illinois’ hopes of a Big Ten West Division title will likely be dashed with an inevitable loss to Michigan this weekend — unless the Fighting Illini can somehow pull off a victory in the Big House.
WISCONSIN NEBRASKA
Saturday | 11:00 a.m. |
Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4) Nebraska (3-7, 2-5)
Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE
Line: Wisconsin -13 O/U: 39.5
I’ve always hated that there are three Memorial Stadi ums in the Big Ten. What are we memorializing? But the recently Bull-less Bad gers are heading to one of the three in Nebraska this weekend.
INDIANA
This will be Purdue’s first home game since the train stopped working against Iowa. Hopefully the Boilermakers’ loco motive experts have fig ured that out by now.
PURDUE MARYLAND
How ever will Ohio State compete in what the to tally hostile environment Maryland has? Oh wait. The Buckeyes will be fine on their trip to the East coast.
Saturday | 11:00 a.m. |
Indiana (3-7, 1-6) Michigan State (5-5, 3-4)
Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI
Line: Michigan State -10.5 O/U: 48
PENN STATE
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
Penn State (8-2, 5-2) Rutgers (4-6, 1-6)
SHI Stadium Piscataway, NJ
Line: Penn State -19.5 O/U: 45
MINNESOTA
Minnesota could very eas ily go down the street and play at U.S. Bank Stadium, which has a roof. But nope, the Golden Gophers want everyone to suffer in the 15 degree temperatures on Saturday.
MICHIGAN STATE
Sign me up to watch the fourth 11 a.m. Big Ten game of the day. Michi gan State could become bowl eligible, after all.
RUTGERS
You’re telling me I could get a Big Ten Conference, late-season game ticket for just $37? Somebody get me a flight to Piscataway this second.
10 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022
10.
11.
Chloe Peterson chloe-peterson@uiowa.edu
AUSTIN HANSON
Pregame Editor (23-22)
IOWA
This one’s for my dear friend Kevin Hanson: Hawks are back.
OREGON
Ducks still aren’t back, regard less of this pick.
IOWA STATE
Perhaps the Cyclones can have a Dekkerissaince.
OKLAHOMA STATE
*In a Stephen A. Smith voice* How ‘bout them Cowboys?
MONTANA
I wanted to pick all FCS games this week, but some members of this panel didn’t support that.
CHLOE PETERSON Sports Editor (31-14)
CHRIS WERNER
Asst. Sports Editor (29-16)
ISAAC GOFFIN Football Reporter (30-15)
DITV Sports Director (31-14)
JOHN BOHNENKAMP Sports Writing Coach (33-12)
BRUMMOND Publisher (30-15)
IOWA
Hawks could eat Gophers, too. IOWA Two trophies in a row. IOWA The Minnesota cold won’t stop the Hawkeyes.
OREGON
Ducks > everything.
TEXAS TECH
Iowa must be super embar rassed that Iowa State won this year.
OKLAHOMA
I blame the SEC for ruining Bedlam.
MONTANA
You’re telling me this game is called Brawl of the Wild?
OREGON
Mallards are my favorite kind of duck.
TEXAS TECH
Iowa State hasn’t been Purdy.
OREGON
Waiting all day for Pac-12 after dark.
TEXAS TECH
A mostly irrelevant Big 12 game.
IOWA
I told y’all Iowa was winning the West.
OREGON
Utes can’t get it done in Eugene.
IOWA I’m starting to think Indy is a future destination.
IOWA Floyd hasn’t spent much time in Minnesota lately.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma State is in shambles.
MONTANA STATE
My cousin went here. Shoutout Emery.
OKLAHOMA
Bedlam is one of my favorite rivalry names.
MONTANA STATE
Yes, we picked a Big Sky contest.
TEXAS TECH
You know what’s worse than 1-6 in conference? 1-7.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Oklahoma are the little brothers now.
MONTANA
Grizzles destroy Bobcats every day of the week
OREGON
Ducks are the kings of NIL. UTAH Utes suddenly back in the Pac-12 hunt.
IOWA STATE
Eventually the Cyclones have to win one.
OKLAHOMA
A lot of disappointment on this field.
MONTANA STATE
Who doesn’t love a good FCS rivalry?
IOWA STATE
Cyclones need a major upset next week for bowl eligibility.
OKLAHOMA STATE
This feels like an Iowa-Iowa State game.
MONTANA STATE
Everything I know about Mon tana is from “Yellowstone.”
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 18, 2022 - 11
MICHAEL MERRICK
JASON
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