The Daily Iowan Pregame - 11.23.2022

AN UNDERRECRUITED

IOWA -10.5

Everyone enjoys a good strength-on-strength matchup. Well, what about a weakness-on-weakness showdown? Nebraska’s “Blackshirts” — more like black-and-blue shirts, am I right!? — have had such a rough year that they might even make Kaleb Johnson and Spencer Petras look like the 2022 version of Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. I don’t expect Nebraska to keep up with Iowa.

UNDER 38

Nebraska’s defense might be terrible, but Iowa is still Iowa. It’s still going to feed its trio of running backs (56.1% Rush Rate) while playing at a slow and methodical pace (28.9 seconds per play). Even if the Hawkeyes do race out to an early lead, I’d expect them to stay on the ground and try to get out of Kinnick without risking injury.

NEBRAKSA +10.5

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about these Iowa-Nebraska games over the last few years, it’s that they’re never decided by two scores or more. Since its inception in 2011, seven of the first 11 Heroes Trophy Games have been decided by eight points or fewer. Based on recent trends, this game is going to come down to a late touchdown or field goal.

OVER 38

Four years ago, I almost failed a philosophy and formal reasoning class called Principles of Reasoning, Argument, and Debate. So, I’m going to make an in explicable decision here and take the Iowa-Nebraska over. At some point, the dam will break. One of these Iowa overs is going to hit. And if there’s any week for it to happen, the last of the regular season makes the most sense.

Kaevon Merriweather SR

30 Quinn Schulte JR

Moss SR

MISSOURI

MICHIGAN STATE +18

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.

Ruden’s 2022 record: 18-14-1

For advanced analysis and statistics, read the full version of The Daily Iowan’s bettor’s guide at dailyiowan.com

Hanson’s 2022 record: 17-16

The Daily Iowan’s official bettor’s guide to Iowa football’s Week 13 matchup with Nebraska.

PETE RUDEN College Football Editor. Action Network Daily Iowan Alumnus

AUSTIN HANSON

Pregame Editor

Goal-setting key to Benson’s success

When he was a freshman, Seth Benson just wanted to play on special teams. Now, he’s one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten.

players used to take their time working out. Stadem, however, would only let his players be in the weight room for 48 minutes — the time it took to play a high school football game — and sitting wasn’t allowed.

Seth, who was a freshman at the time, was not afraid to stand up to the Warriors’ older players when they didn’t follow the new rules.

“Seth walked over to them, he’s like, ‘What are you doing?’” Stadem said. “And they both looked at him, he goes, ‘Get your butts off the bench and start lifting. There’s no sitting. You heard Stadem, no sitting.’ And the seniors are looking at him like, ‘Who are you?’ He goes, ‘Get going.’ I mean, he’s a freshman walking up to seniors and telling them, ‘Get in line.’”

Film at the dinner table

Chris Werner Assistant Sports Editor

Senior linebacker Seth Benson said goal-setting has been a key to his success as a two-year starter on the Hawkeye defense. But that mindset did not just begin when Seth came to Iowa City from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2018.

As a youth football player, Seth wanted to run the ball

out of the backfield. And he was determined to reach his goal.

When league officials began to consider him too big to play running back, then-preteen Seth began to examine his eating habits and stayed away from junk food, when possible.

Seth made the weight required to carry the ball, and he showed enough skill

to remain a runner until high school. Seth retired from running the ball when he graduated from Washington High School in 2018.

Seth won three 11AAA state football championships at Washington. He played quarterback, running back, tight end, and linebacker during his high school days.

“He’s no-nonsense, he’s a great teammate,” said Chad

Stadem, Seth’s high school football coach. “He’s so good at getting people aligned. He doesn’t degrade anybody. He’s just so good at pulling people together and setting the standard and expectations. I know he’s done the same thing down at Iowa.”

Seth helped Stadem build a culture at Washington. In Stadem’s second season with the Warriors, he implemented

new rules that emphasized progress in the weight room.

Before Stadem took over,

When Seth doesn’t play well, shrugging it off quickly isn’t always his style. Seth’s parents, JoElle and Chuck Benson, said their youngest son has been known to watch film on his phone during family dinners.

JoElle and Chuck said

He’s so good at getting people aligned. He doesn’t degrade anybody. He’s just so good at pulling people together and setting the standard and expectations. I know he’s done the same thing down at Iowa.

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan

Iowa linebacker Seth Benson (44) directs the defense during a football game between Iowa and Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., on Nov. 5. The Hawkeyes defeated the Boilermakers, 24-3.

— Chad Stadem, Seth’s high school football coach

Seth’s version of dinner and a show is an example of his impressive will to improve.

“In the weight room, in the training, watching film, there’s just not anything that he won’t do to make himself better,” JoElle said. “I think he gave up pop in fifth or sixth grade because he knew it wasn’t healthy … He went the extra mile. He buys in. He’s all in. He’s gonna stay the extra time. He’s gonna go early.”

Seth’s never-ending quest to be the best showed up in a moment Stadem has memorialized in his house. After Washington won its second straight state title, defeating Brandon Valley, 41-31, Seth ran up to Stadem

instead of celebrating with his teammates.

“As everybody is sprinting onto the dome floor for the state championship celebration, Seth is running the opposite of the crowd and running towards me right when the game got done, and he hugged me,” Stadem said. “He says to me, ‘We’re not done yet because we’re gonna win the next one too. We’re gonna be the first team in big school history to win three in a row.’”

Seth’s Warriors team did, in fact, win a third straight state championship the next year. During his final title run, Seth thought he was going to play college football for South Dakota State. But a last-

minute offer from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff changed the now 6-foot, 232-pound linebacker’s mind.

Hawks swoop in, grab Jackrabbit

Seth was not highly recruited during his junior and senior seasons of high school. South Dakota State recruited Seth as a legacy player because both of his parents, and all three of his siblings, went to school and played sports there.

Seth was almost set on playing for the Jackrabbits. Then, Iowa began to show interest in him after his senior season.

Iowa special teams coach LeVar Woods had seen Seth on the recruiting trail, but never showed much interest in him. After some persuasion from Stadem, however, Woods began to pursue Seth.

“His senior year, the first three games of the year, he was unbelievable,” Stadem said. “All of a sudden, he was faster, stronger, better. And his first three games, he dominated on defense and special teams for us. My defensive coordinator and I were talking, and he goes, ‘Hey, Seth’s playing on another level.’”

Stadem said Washington’s defensive coordinator at the time, Jeff Fitzgerald, used to coach at Division II University of Sioux Falls. Fitzgerald told Stadem that Seth looked like a Big Ten linebacker.

Consequently, Stadem called Woods in September 2017 with some advice.

“I call LeVar and I go, ‘Hey, dude, you gotta look at Benson again.’ He goes, ‘Well, what’s going on?’ I said, ‘I know [he verbally committed to SDSU], but

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell runs toward Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim during a football game between Iowa and Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Nov. 19. The Hawkeyes defeated the Gophers, 13-10.

Daniel McGregor-Huyer/The Daily Iowan

Iowa linebacker Seth Benson celebrates a recovered fumble during a football game between Iowa and Illinois at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Oct. 8. The Fighting Illini defeated the Hawkeyes, 9-6.

you gotta look at him again.’ Then LeVar goes, ‘OK.’”

A couple weeks later, Stadem said he got a call from Woods. He agreed that Seth could play in the Big Ten, but there was a catch. The Hawkeyes had already offered scholarships to all of their linebacker recruits in the 2018 class. Seth got his chance at Iowa, however, when one of the linebackers the Hawkeyes had offered decided to go to Nebraska.

Even though Iowa had a spot for Seth, a deal was far from done.

JoElle said Iowa extended Seth a scholarship offer in December 2017. He

committed to the Hawkeyes on December 31.

“It was a bang-bang thing,” Chuck said of Seth’s visit to Iowa. “We went down there and they offered him in coach Ferentz’s office. Then, he went and watched practice. I can still remember [Seth] sitting on the sofa when we got home, and he was just in a dilemma because the mindset was South Dakota State. That was where he was going, and then all sudden, now, you know, there’s this opportunity that came into your lap. He had to decide and it was a tough decision.

“We sat down and just weighed the pros and cons

... What I told him is, ‘If you don’t try it, you’ll always look back and think what if.’”

Chad Greenway — a South Dakotan and former Iowa linebacker — also offered Seth guidance as he chose between South Dakota State and Iowa.

“I was just kind of weighing my options,” Seth said. “I didn’t really know what to do. But he just called me and said he was in the same situation as I was. He just wanted to be a resource for me and kind of told me, ‘Sometimes in life, you gotta take a leap of faith. You know, you might not know what’s coming, but you just got to hit it full force

forward.’”

The Benson bunch

While Seth didn’t commit to a school in his home state, his parents still come to all of his games. His sister is in the stands for all of the Hawkeyes’ home games, and his grandparents are frequently in attendance too.

Seth’s brothers, Cole and Austin, followed him to Iowa City to pursue postgraduate degrees.

Austin is in a residency program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Cole is in dental school. The pair tries to come to all of the Hawkeyes’ home games.

“It’s just perfect because I know we’re further from home, but we have each other,” Cole said. “Then, during football seasons, family visits all the time anyways. So, we just see them a lot. Whenever he’s free or just doesn’t have really any better plans, we can meet up.”

never missed a Hawk Walk, and we don’t plan on it ... [Seth] comes over, and he hugs us. I think I cried because no one else did that to their families.

— Seth’s sister, Ellie Benson

Austin said he sees Seth and Cole at least once a week when they come over and play with his son.

While the three Benson brothers hold down the fort during the week, a coalition of about 20 friends and family members come to support Seth at each home game.

“We’ve never missed a Hawk Walk, and we don’t plan on it,” said Seth’s sister, Ellie Benson. “[Seth] comes over, and he hugs us. I think the first time he did that, I think I cried because no one else did that to their families. Now, senior year, I see a lot of kids going to their families. And I don’t know if he started that. As a freshman, you don’t really know what’s expected and what you can

and can’t do. He came over and he hugged us. That’s like my favorite memory ever in the last five years. I’m gonna miss that a lot.”

Benson’s Hawk Walk hugs haven’t changed since he put the Iowa jersey on. But on the field, he has transformed himself from a freshman who just wanted to play on special teams to one of the Big Ten’s best linebackers.

One goal to the next

Seth said ever since he got to Iowa, a key to his success has been goal-setting.

“My goals had to grow,” Seth said. “I came in here with some goals set, reached those goals, and had to set new goals. Now, I’m trying to

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa coaches react after the Hawkeyes recovered a fumble from Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim during a football game between Iowa and Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Nov. 19. The Hawkeyes defeated the Gophers, 13-10.

Contributed photo of Seth Benson hugging his high school coach, Chad Stadem, after Benson’s high school team won a second title

We’ve

attain those goals.

“I think it’s just coming in each day and growing. You know there’ll be setbacks and there’ll be tough times. But coming in each and every day and having the support of [linebackers coach Seth Wallace], and the other linebackers keeping me going and telling me that I can do it, and I can play here, that was big for me.”

Seth said his goal

for this program.”

This season, Seth is Iowa’s second-leading tackler with 73 tackles, behind only Campbell. He nabbed his second career interception against Purdue on Nov. 5.

This year, Seth also has 3 ½ tackles for loss, one sack, and four quarterback hurries.

freshman year was to play on special teams. When he got his chance to play defense, he was ready.

He redshirted after playing three games during his true freshman season in 2018. He participated in every game in 2019. Over the last three seasons, he’s started all but one of the Hawkeyes’ games. He missed a contest in 2020 with an injury.

Seth was second on the team with 105 tackles in 2021, trailing only fellow linebacker Jack Campbell’s total of 143. Seth was a 2021 third-team All-Big Ten honoree.

“Seth is a great guy, and I feel like he honestly deserves probably more [media attention] than me,” Campbell said. “He just does all the little things. He’s as tough as they come. He came a year before me. So, when I was young, he was just always good to me, so I owe him a lot. But yeah, I feel like he deserves a lot of recognition for everything that he’s done

“Seth’s amazing,” junior defensive lineman Logan Lee said. “He’s a great leader on the team. He has incredible energy throughout every practice, throughout every meeting. He never deviates from that. On the field, he just brings great energy, great leadership, and the ability to be in the right place at the right time. He’s very intelligent, so that helps a lot on the field. And he just helps everybody else perform at a high level.”

My goals had to grow. I came in here with some goals set, reached those goals, and had to set new goals.

— Seth Benson

While Seth has another year of collegiate eligibility left because of COVID-19, he hasn’t announced any plans for the future. At a media availability session on Nov. 15, Seth said he didn’t know if he’d return to Iowa for a sixth season or try to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. Seth is planning to walk in Iowa’s Senior Day festivities ahead of the game against Nebraska on Friday.

“I try to just stay in the moment,” Seth said. “That’s all I’m really focused on right now.”

christopher-werner@uiowa.edu

Contributed photo of Seth Benson’s family supporting Benson before he enters Kinnick Stadium.

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

27

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

0

Jaquez Yant RB 6-2 235 Soph Tallahassee, FL

0 Jake Appleget LB 6-4 220 Fr Lincoln, NE

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2 Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda WR 6-0 185 Jr Twentynine Palms, CA

2 Tommi Hill WR 6-0 200 Soph Orlando, FL

2 Caleb Tannor LB 6-3 220 Sr Stone Mountain, GA

3 Cooper Hausmann QB 5-10 180 Fr Roca, NE

3 Trey Palmer WR 6-1 190 Jr Kentwood, LA

4 Alante Brown WR 5-11 190 Soph Chicago, IL

5 Omar Manning WR 6-4 225 Sr Lancaster, TX

5 Eteva Mauga-Clements LB 6-1 220 Sr Pleasant Hill, CA

6 Chubba Purdy QB 6-2 210 #Fr Queen Creek, AZ

6 Quinton Newsome DB 6-1 180 Jr Suwanee, GA

7 Mikey Pauley QB 6-3 195 Fr Overland Park, KS

7 Marcus Washington WR 6-2 190 Jr St. Louis, MO

7 Tamon Lynum DB 6-2 180 #Fr Orlando, FL

8 Logan Smothers QB 6-2 190 Soph Muscle Shoals, AL

8 Myles Farmer DB 6-3 200 Soph Atlanta, GA

9 Ajay Allen RB 5-11 185 Fr Monroe, LA

9 DeShon Singleton DB 6-3 205 Soph Amite, LA

9 Jarrett Synek QB 6-0 200 #Fr Hastings, NE

10 Heinrich Haarberg QB 6-5 210 #Fr Kearney, NE

10 Anthony Grant RB 5-11 200 Jr Buford, GA

10 Jimari Butler LB 6-5 245 #Fr Mobile, AL

11 Casey Thompson QB 6-0 195 Jr Oklahoma City, OK

11 Braxton Clark DB 6-4 195 Jr Orlando, FL

12 Janiran Bonner WR 6-3 200 Fr Ellenwood, GA

12 Omar Brown DB 6-1 195 Jr Minneapolis, MN 13 Kamonte Grimes WR 6-3 200 #Fr Naples, FL 13 Malcolm Hartzog DB 5-9 170 Fr Silver Creek, MS 14 Rahmir Johnson RB 5-10 185 Soph Oradell, NJ 14 Mikai Gbayor LB 6-2 220 #Fr Irvington, NJ 15 Richard Torres QB 6-4 215 Fr San Antonio, TX 15 Ernest Hausmann LB 6-2 220 Fr Columbus, NE 16 Zach Weinmaster WR 5-10 180 Soph Loveland, CO 17 Ty Hahn WR 6-2 195 #Fr Johnson, NE 17 Tyreke Johnson DB 6-1 180 Jr Jacksonville, FL 17 Jalil Martin DB 6-2 165 Fr Chicago, IL 18 Matt Masker QB 6-2 220 Jr Kearney, NE 18 Jaeden Gould DB 6-2 200 Fr Somerset, NJ 19 Barron Miles Jr. WR 5-10 180 #Fr Montreal, Canada 19 Seth Malcom LB 6-4 215 #Fr Tabor, IA 19 Kaine Williams DB 6-2 200 #Fr Marrero, LA 21 Emmett Johnson RB 5-11 190 Fr Minneapolis, MN 21 Noa Pola-Gates DB 6-0 180 Soph Gilbert, AZ 22 Gabe Ervin Jr. RB 6-0 215 #Fr Buford, GA 23 Isaac Gifford DB 6-1 200 Soph Lincoln, NE 24 Thomas Fidone II TE 6-6 235 #Fr Council Bluffs, IA 24 Brandon Moore DB 6-0 190 Sr Sanford, FL 24 Charlie Weinrich K 5-11 200 Fr Leawood, KS 25 Javier Morton DB 6-2 195 Soph Atlanta, GA 26 Roman Mangini WR 5-9 150 Fr Mesa, AZ 26 Koby Bretz DB 6-2 210 #Fr Omaha, NE 28 Matthew Schuster RB 5-10 190 #Fr Ashland, NE 28 Luke Reimer LB 6-1 225 Jr Lincoln, NE

41 Garrett Snodgrass LB 6-3 220 Soph York, NE

41 Christian Lilienkamp DB 6-0 200 #Fr Bellevue, NE

42 Nick Henrich LB 6-3 225 Soph Omaha, NE 43 Michael Booker III DB 6-1 195 #Fr Grand Prairie, TX 44 Aiden Young RB 5-9 175 #Fr Omaha, NE 44 Garrett Nelson DL 6-4 245 Jr Scottsbluff, NE

45 Truitt Robinson WR 6-0 185 #Fr Gilbert, AZ

45 Blake Miller DB 6-1 195 Fr Nebraska City, NE

46 John Goodwin TE 6-3 235 Soph Lincoln, NE

46 Grant Buda DB 6-0 205 #Fr Lincoln, NE

47 Chase Androff TE 6-6 235 Fr Lakeville, MN

47 Gage Stenger DB 6-2 190 Fr Omaha, NE

48 Evan Meyersick TE 6-5 195 #Fr Omaha, NE

49 Nate Boerkircher TE 6-5 230 #Fr Aurora, NE

50 Sam Hoskinson OL 6-1 240 #Fr Omaha, NE

50 Jailen Weaver DL 6-8 345 #Fr Antioch, CA

51 Justin Evans-Jenkins OL 6-1 290 Fr East Orange, NJ

51 Braden Klover LB 6-2 225 #Fr Wymore, NE

52 Mosai Newsom DL 6-5 285 Soph Waverly, IA

53 Riley Moses OL 6-2 290 Soph Fairmont, NE

53 Jake Archer LB 6-1 200 Jr Omaha, NE

54 Bryce Benhart OL 6-9 315 Soph Lakeville, MN

54 Ryan Schommer LB 6-5 260 Jr Norfolk, NE

55 Brady Weas LS 6-2 250 Sr Whitefish Bay, WI

56 Grant Tagge LB 6-1 200 Soph Omaha, NE

57 Ethan Piper OL 6-2 295 Soph Norfolk, NE

58 Ian Boerkircher OL 6-6 285 Jr Aurora, NE

59 Henry Lutovsky OL 6-6 310 #Fr Crawfordsville, IA

61 Dylan Parrott OL 6-5 340 Fr Eldridge, IA

62 Noah Stafursky OL 6-4 325 Soph York, NE

63 Nouredin Nouili OL 6-4 315 Jr Frankfurt, Germany

63 Ru'Quan Buckley DL 6-6 290 #Fr Wyoming, MI

65 Teddy Prochazka OL 6-10 320 Soph Elkhorn, NE

66 Ezra Miller OL 6-6 310 Soph Holstein, IA

67 Joey Mancino OL 6-3 280 #Fr Holmdel, NJ

69 Turner Corcoran OL 6-6 300 Soph Lawrence, KS

70 Keegan Menning OL 6-5 325 #Fr Fremont, NE

72 Nash Hutmacher DL 6-4 330 Soph Oacoma, SD

73 Broc Bando OL 6-5 295 Sr Lincoln, NE

74 Brant Banks OL 6-8 300 Soph Houston, TX

75 Trent Hixson OL 6-4 305 Sr Omaha, NE 76 Beau Schaller OL 6-2 270 #Fr Waukee, IA 76 Eli Simonson OL 6-6 295 #Fr Fremont, NE 77 Hunter Anthony OL 6-6 325 Jr Tuttle, OK 77 Michael Lynn OL 6-6 295 Soph Greenwood Village, CO 78 Kevin Williams Jr. OL 6-5 325 Sr Omaha, NE 79 Alex Conn OL 6-6 310 #Fr Derby, KS 79 Spencer Pankratz K 6-1 200 #Fr Highlands Ranch, CO 80 Shawn Hardy II WR 6-3 190 #Fr Kingsland, GA 80 Jacob Herbek DL 6-5 260 Soph Grand Island, NE 81 James Carnie TE 6-5 225 #Fr Roca, NE 82 Chancellor Brewington TE 6-3 220 Sr Chandler, AZ 82 Colton Feist DL 6-2 275 Jr Yutan, NE 83 Travis Vokolek TE 6-7 260 Sr Springfield, MO 84 Alex Bullock WR 6-2 195 #Fr Omaha, NE 85 Wyatt Liewer WR 6-4 190 Jr O'Neill, NE 86 AJ Rollins TE 6-6 220 #Fr Omaha, NE

Chris Hickman TE 6-5 215 Soph Omaha, NE

LaPorta, Pottebaum ruled out

Chloe Peterson Sports Editor

Senior tight end Sam LaPorta and fullback Monte Pottebaum were not listed on Iowa foot ball’s Week 13 depth chart released Monday afternoon. Both suffered injuries in Iowa’s game against Minnesota last Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minne apolis.

LaPorta caught four passes for 95 yards, in cluding a 58-yard re ception, in the first quarter. The 6-foot-4, 249-pounder exited the game limping and went into the medical tent near the end of the first quarter. He later went back to the locker room

and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

LaPorta returned to the sidelines and was walking unassisted in street clothes in the sec ond half of the game.

“He was always there hanging a coat on some one and trying to tell someone what to do, es pectially teaching [thirdstring tight end Addison Ostrenga] a lot and just helping him out,” soph omore tight end Luke Lachey said Tuesday.

Lachey and Ostrenga, a true freshman, filled in for LaPorta on Sat urday. Lachey, who is Iowa’s third-leading re ceiver with 273 yards this season, is listed as the Hawkeyes’ first-team tight end this week,

while Ostrenga is his backup.

Ostrenga has played in each of the Hawkeyes’ 11 games this season — pri marily on special teams. He has one catch for six yards on offense.

“Addison did a great job when his number was called,” Lachey said. “I’m really proud of him. He’ll just continue to get better and get more con fident in his ability.”

Pottebaum also left the game with an un disclosed injury in the first quarter and did not return. He didn’t record any statistics on Satur day.

Head coach Kirk Fer entz did not specify La Porta or Pottebaum’s injuries during his week ly press conference on Tuesday afternoon, but he confirmed neither of them will play against Nebraska on Friday.

“Changes things,” Fer entz said. “Sam is Sam, arguably our best guy on offense. Then, Monte can do so many things, play in different posi tions, help us. It kind of limits what we have to do. We have to be smart about it. The good news is Luke Lachey has im proved week over week the last couple years, has done a good job. Ostren ga did a good job jump ing in there. We’ll have to play him more. We have to find a way to get it done.”

LaPorta has been Io

wa’s leading receiv er through the first 11 games of the season, recording 54.6 yards per game and 601 total. Io wa’s second-leading re ceiver is wideout Nico Ragaini, who has 305 yards.

“It changes things for everyone, not just me,” Lachey said of LaPorta’s absence. “I think every one, like Saturday, is go ing to have to step up and do some more things.”

Pottebaum has three catches for 37 yards so far this season, primari ly using his talents as an additional blocker. Senior Turner Pallissard and red shirt freshman Eli Mill er are listed as first and second-team fullbacks,

respectively, on Iowa’s Week 13 two-deep.

“It’s a little unsettling not to have Monte be cause he’s one of our best players on our football team, one of our best leaders,” Ferentz said. “Eli has things in a way where you have confidence. He’s a wired-in guy, goes one speed.”

LaPorta and Pottebaum are two of 27 seniors that will be honored during Friday’s Iowa-Nebras ka game. While they will be recognized as seniors playing their last game at Kinnick Stadium, both have the option to return in 2023 for another sea son.

The Hawkeyes will be without their starting tight end and fullback during their matchup with the Cornhuskers on Friday.

Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan

Iowa fullback Monte Pottebaum prepares to catch the ball during a football game between Iowa and South Dakota State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The Hawkeyes defeated the Jackrabbits, 7-3.

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta runs after a reception during a football game between Iowa and Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. The Hawkeyes defeated the Gophers, 13-10.

1. Ohio State

It’s simple copy-paste work.

2. Michigan

Just like last year, the winner of this week’s Ohio State-Michigan game will go to Indianapolis, then the CFP.

3. Penn State

Penn State would play for a conference champion ship every year if it was in the West.

4. Iowa

I don’t know how this happened.

5. Illinois

Illinois will win the West next season.

6. Minnesota

The Gophers dominated the Hawkeyes for 53 minutes last week.

7. Maryland

The Terps gave the Buckeyes a battle.

8. Purdue

I think the Boilermakers might be mathematically eli gible for a Big Ten West title. But I’m not good at math.

9. Wisconsin

The Big Ten West is the definition of a crap shoot.

10. Indiana

I only put the Hoosiers here because they beat the Spartans head-to-head.

11. Michigan State

Sparty is playing for bowl eligibility this week.

12. Rutgers

At least the Scarlet Knights can claim Isiah Pacheco.

13. Nebraska

It will be a fitting end to the regular season when Iowa makes a game-winning field goal as time expires on Friday.

14. Northwestern

Pat Fitzgerald might be done in Evanston.

scared for what could happen in Indianapolis.

NEBRASKA

Friday | 3:00 p.m. |

Iowa (7-4, 5-3) Nebraska (3-8, 2-6)

Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA

Line: Iowa -10.5 O/U: 37.5

MICHIGAN

Saturday | 11:00 a.m. |

Michigan (11-0, 8-0) Ohio State (11-0, 8-0)

Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH

Line: Ohio State -7.5 O/U: 57.5

PURDUE

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Purdue (7-4, 5-3) Indiana (4-7, 2-6)

Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN

Line: Purdue -10 O/U: 55.5

MICHIGAN STATE

Saturday | 3:00 p.m. |

Michigan State (5-6, 3-5)

Penn State (9-2, 6-2)

Beaver Stadium State College, PA

Line: Penn State -18 O/U: 41

IOWA

If your team is playing against Iowa in November, you should seek profes sional help. The Hawkeyes remind everyone, painfully so, that the only thing that really matters is the score board.

Werner christopher-werner@uiowa.edu

RUTGERS MARYLAND

Saturday | 11:00 a.m. |

Rutgers (4-7, 1-7) Maryland (6-5, 3-5)

SECU Stadium College Park, MD

Line: Maryland -14 O/U: 49

OHIO STATE

Yet again, the Big Ten East champ, the Big Ten champ, and the Big Ten’s represen tative in the College Foot ball Playoff will come down to this.

I think a 4-5 conference re cord would be the best for the Terps since they joined the Big Ten in 2014. Let me check, yep.

I just hope Charlie Jones is happy with his trans fer choice. He got some NFL-worthy tape in ex change for another unlikely chance to get blown out in Indianapolis.

MINNESOTA

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Minnesota (7-4, 4-4) Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4)

Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI

Line: Wisconsin -3 O/U: 34.5

WISCONSIN INDIANA

Somebody other than Tan ner Morgan is going to play quarterback for Minnesota next season. Are we sure that’s even possible? Also, I felt bad for Mohamed Ibra him last week.

ILLINOIS

Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |

Illinois (7-4, 4-4 ) Northwestern (1-10, 1-7)

Ryan Field Evanston, IL

Line: Illinois -12.5

O/U: 37

PENN STATE

Well, Penn State will finish the year with two losses to the two teams it was sup posed to lose to. The Big Ten East is as it should be.

NORTHWESTERN

Ryan Field’s last game has finally arrived. As a kid that grew up a mile from the stadium, I say, “I’ll miss you.” As a football fan, I say, “Good riddance.”

I’m

Chris

Goffin Football Reporter

The Daily Iowan: You’re a born-and-raised Iowan. What does that mean to you?

Joe Evans: I love this state, to be honest with you. I think this is the greatest state in the country. Great place to grow, raise a family. Love the four seasons. Just a great state, all in all.

DI: What’s your favorite season?

Evans: Definitely fall. Football season. Absolutely.

DI: Did you do anything memorable in Des Moines or elsewhere in Iowa when you were growing up?

Evans: So, I moved to Ames going into my fifthgrade year. So, I used to live in Des Moines. But when ever I would travel down to Des Moines when I was a kid, I used to have some Ad ventureland season passes. I’ll tell you what, that was electric. That was always a fun time. We’d go down there about every weekend. Me and my mom, my sister, just live it up, have the time of our lives. But I do that, my grandparents live in Des Moines, so go see them a lot. Hit up Jordan Creek every once in a while, obvious ly. But other than that, just

kind of stay at home and hang out with some friends.

DI: What are your favor ite rides at Adventureland?

Evans: That’s a great question. Big fan of The Tornado. When I was a kid, that was my go-to. I re member me and my mom, we waited in the line for three hours one time just to go on The Tornado. Bless her heart, she’s been on that ride about 10 times. That

was my first time. I was so excited. When the log ride was there, that was excit ing. Then, when they put the waterpark in, that was one of my favorite parks there when I was a kid.

DI: I know you said you don’t travel much. What’s been your favorite place you’ve traveled to so far?

Evans: Probably Tampa. Me and my dad, we took a little trip there about a year

ago. We actually took a trip, just me and him, hung out. I did a little food challenge when I was down there, which was exciting. So, the place was Cookie Munchers, and I was telling my dad this challenge was cake, right? This is like one of the eas iest food challenges ever. Turns out, it wasn’t. Ended up winning the thing, so very competitive. Won the thing, so that’s probably been my favorite spot so far.

DI: What were the re quirements of the chal lenge?

Evans: I had to eat like 10 cookies in 20 minutes — so tough. Drink a pint of milk with it. That was tough. But ended up doing it in about 19 minutes. My dad was there encouraging me, so it was a fun night.

DI: Do you follow the NBA?

Evans: I’m a big LeBron fan. Love Lebron James. So, I think he’s the GOAT. I get a lot of people talking to me about that. I’ve always been a Lebron fan since I was a kid. So, I’ll just follow him. So, I was a Cleveland fan for a while, Heat, back to the Cavs, and the Lakers.

DI: Have you seen him in person yet?

Evans: No, I haven’t. I have not seen Lebron in person, but hopefully someday I will get to meet him. That’d be pretty cool. Definitely No. 1 person on my list to meet, so maybe one day.

DI: What do you like about him?

Evans: That’s a great question, actually. I mean, obviously everything on the basketball court, but I think he does so many great things off the court. How he started the I Promise School, just all that. I just followed his career ever since I was a kid. I mean, my brother was always a huge LeBron fan, so I just grew up into that.

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

Daily Iowan Football Reporter Isaac Goffin chatted with Evans at a media availability session on Nov. 15.

with Iowa defensive end Joe Evans

Isaac

Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan

Purdue running back Dylan Downing (38) carries the ball as Iowa defensive end Joe Evans (13) tackles him during a football game between Iowa and Purdue at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., on Nov. 5. The Hawkeyes defeated the Boilermakers, 24-3.

Dylan McGivern ready to rock in Kinnick

McGivern, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at 3 years old, is participating in a clinical trial via UIHC.

Eleanor Hildebrandt Senior News Reporter

Dylan McGivern won’t be alone when he takes the field at Kinnick Stadium on Friday.

While 55 friends and family members sit in the stands and cheer him on at the Iowa-Nebraska game, Dylan will be carrying his grandfather’s legacy onto Duke Slater Field.

Dylan’s grandfather was a die-hard Hawkeye fan. He died about a year ago, Carly McGivern, Dylan’s mother, said.

“The thing that [Dylan] got really emotional about when we surprised him with the news was that my dad passed away last year,” Carly said. “I had talked to my dad toward the end, since he had cancer and we knew he didn’t have a lot of time. I told him it was my goal to get Dylan as a Kid Captain. He knew and he never got a chance to take Dylan to a game, but being the Kid Captain is going to be really cool.”

Patrick McGivern, Dylan’s father, said in an email to The Daily Iowan that Carly and her dad al ways talked about nomi nating Dylan.

“His mother grew up go ing to Hawk games since her dad was a longtime

season-ticket holder,” he wrote. “They would spend Saturdays in Kinnick and travel the country going to bowl games. It was always something Dylan’s grandpa wanted to do with Dylan.

However, cancer made it so those trips never hap pened. Kid Captain nomi nation was something my wife and her dad always talked about for Dylan. Not only is this a great way to

recognize a great kid, but Dylan is using it as a way to remember a grandfather he loved dearly.”

Dylan picked his song for The Wave because of his grandfather. When Dylan

told Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras the song he picked, Petras said he loved the song and was a fan of the artist.

“The song we picked is ‘Til you can’t’ by Cody

Johnson,” Dylan said. “I picked that song because it supports my grandpa.”

Dylan and Patrick saw Johnson in concert at Xtream Arena in Coralville

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan

Kid captain Dylan McGivern grabs a signed shirt from Iowa defensive back Terry Roberts during Iowa football’s Kids’ Day at Kinnick in Iowa City on Aug. 13.

in March. Carly said the song reminds her and Dylan to live in the moment be cause people never know how much time they have.

Dylan and his younger brother, Brady McGivern, were both diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dys trophy, a condition that causes progressive muscle degeneration, when Dylan was 3 years old. The fami ly drove from Dysart, Iowa, to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital after Dylan didn’t meet developmental mile stones at a regularly sched uled appointment with a pediatrician.

Carly’s brother had Duchenne, so she knew her children could be affected by the condition.

Since they were diag nosed, Dylan and Brady have gone to Stead for care and attended clinics in Ce dar Falls, Iowa. A team of physical therapists, nurses, doctors, social workers, re spiratory therapists, and a nutritionist regularly treat the McGivern boys.

Professor of Pediat rics-General Neurology at the UI Carver College of Medicine Katherine Mathews is a member of the treatment team and has known the McGiverns since the boys first received their diagnoses.

“I always think about the two of them together be cause they’re always play ing and being brothers,” she said. “They’re a great family.”

Dylan broke his leg earli er in the fall, Mathews said, which is a major compli

cation for individuals with Duchenne — a disease that only affects young males.

“He fell and broke his leg recently, so he uses a power wheelchair now,” she said. “Most boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy even tually lose the ability to walk independently some where between ages eight and 12 or slightly later. He would still be walking, ex cept for the fall. Breaking a leg is often an event that kids don’t recover from with this disease … It’s a big stressor, so I’m thrilled he has something exciting and positive to look for ward to like being a Kid Captain.”

Carly said the family is currently moving into a new, more accessible home. The family should com plete their move by Dec. 1.

Dylan is currently partic

ipating in an internation al study for a drug to help children with Duchenne. Carly said Dylan chose to be a part of the trial after discussing it with Mathews. While Dylan loves foot ball and baseball, he can no longer play either sport because of his diagnosis. He wants to be a sports an nouncer or a coach when he grows up.

As Dylan prepares for his moment to hype up Hawkeye fans on the field Friday, Carly said their immediate family reached out to dozens of extend ed family members, close friends, and even a few of Dylan’s teachers to see if they wanted to help Dylan celebrate the game. So, Dylan will have supporters from across the country at Kinnick watching him be honored.

Dylan will sit in the wheelchair-accessible seats in the south end zone behind the student sec tion and Hawkeye March ing Band. Dylan recently started playing drums in his school’s band, so he’s excited to see the Hawkeye Marching Band in action.

He said he’s ready to don his Kid Captain jersey for his first in-person Iowa football game.

“Seeing the field and meeting all the players will be cool,” he said. “... The players are so big, that’s what I thought when I met them [at Kids Day]. I’m ex cited to go again.”

The family will be tail gating before the game, where Dylan’s favorite chicken wings will be ca tered in from Buffalo Wild Wings.

“We’re just making it

about him and having a good time with everyone,” Carly said. “We were just shocked that so many peo ple were going to come. I’m glad we asked and found out how many tick ets we needed early. Then, the athletic department was really great trying to get these together. I think we’ll take up 2 1/2 rows of the south end zone, but we couldn’t be more excited.”

McGivern will be the final Kid Captain the Hawkeyes honor this season. Iowa does not select Kid Cap tains for its postseason games.

Hawkeye football’s 2023 Kid Captains will be se lected over the next couple months. Their names will be released to the public in August.

eleanor-hildebrandt@uiowa.edu

AUSTIN HANSON

Pregame Editor (28-27)

IOWA

Somehow, Iowa finds a way to make it back to Indy.

OHIO STATE

Can’t wait to watch Iowa get blown out at Lucas Oil again.

OREGON

I have a quack addiction.

CINCINNATI

I refuse to be burned by Tulane twice in one season.

SOUTH CAROLINA

I’m going out on a limb with this one. But I’m a big guy, so the branch might break.

CHLOE PETERSON Sports Editor (38-17)

IOWA

Hawkeyes ~somehow~ get back to Indy.

OHIO STATE

Buckeye-Hawkeye rematch, anyone?

OREGON

Ducks are the best.

CINCINNATI

I maintain that Tulane seems like a fake school.

CLEMSON

I doubt South Carolina can knock off two CFP contenders.

CHRIS WERNER

Asst. Sports Editor (36-19)

IOWA

To quote Hawk Harrelson, “Don’t stop now, boys.”

MICHIGAN

Fortune favors the bold, I hope.

ISAAC GOFFIN Football Reporter (37-18)

IOWA November is Kirk Ferentz month.

OHIO STATE

Nobody is beating the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe.

MICHAEL MERRICK DITV Sports Director (37-18)

IOWA

Indy, here come the Hawkeyes.

OHIO STATE

Indy won’t be as fun when Iowa has to play OSU again.

JOHN BOHNENKAMP Sports Writing Coach (40-15)

IOWA Looking forward to another weekend in Indy.

OHIO STATE

A toss-up, but I’ll give it to the Buckeyes.

JASON BRUMMOND Publisher (35-20)

IOWA

It’s been more than 2,900 days since Nebraska last beat Iowa.

OHIO STATE

Buckeyes eke out a win despite looking ahead to Iowa.

OREGON

Picking Oregon again, duck it.

CINCINNATI

The DI shalt not forget the great Shivansh Ahuja.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Why not? Go ‘Cocks.

OREGON

Sorry, Tom, but I want to win On the Line.

CINCINNATI

The Iowa Heartlanders are playing the Cincinnati Cyclones this weekend.

CLEMSON

I’m not falling for the South Carolina trap.

Ducks crush Beavers. OREGON An in-state rivalry is a good way to end the season.

OREGON

OREGON

There is nothing civil about this rivalry.

CINCINNATI

No Ridder? No problem.

CLEMSON

South Carolina can’t do it twice, right?

CINCINNATI

If only because none of you got my “Tulane Highways” joke.

CLEMSON

There’s Dabo, just hanging around the fringe of the CFP.

CINCINNATI

Bear > Bearcat > Cat.

CLEMSON

Tigers hanging on to playoff hopes by a claw.