The Daily Iowan Pregame — 11.17.23 by The Daily Iowan

The Daily Iowan

PREGAME SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 IOWA VS. ILLINOIS KINNICK STADIUM

No cutting corners From a sixth-grade wrestler to a walk-on at Iowa, linebacker Kyler Fisher has always kept a goal-oriented approach.

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IOWA VS. ILLINOIS | SATURDAY, NOV. 18 | 2:35 P.M. |

Five things to watch

OFFENSE QB

10 5

Deacon Hill Joe Labas

Soph Soph

4 9

Leshon Williams Jaziun Patterson

OFFENSE QB

9 4

Jr #Fr

3 Kaden Feagin 23 Reggie Love III

88 Hayden Large 41 Rusty VanWetzinga

Sr Fr

WR-X 14 2

Casey Washington Malik Elzy

Sr Fr

3 18

Kaleb Brown Alec Wick

Soph Soph

WR-Z 13 6

Pat Bryant Ashton Hollins

Jr #Fr

89 Nico Ragaini 6 Seth Anderson

Sr Soph

WR-SL 1 Isaiah Williams 80 Hank Beatty

Jr Soph

87 Addison Ostrenga 86 Steven Stilianos

Soph Sr

89 Tip Reiman 85 Tanner Arkin

Jr Soph

78 Mason Richman 71 Jack Dotzler

Jr #Fr

54 Julian Pearl 56 Magnus Moller

Sr #Fr

60 Rusty Feth 56 Nick DeJong

Sr Sr

73 Josh Gesky 71 Hunter Whitenack

Soph Soph

76 Tyler Elsbury 66 Jeremy Chaplin

Jr Soph

64 Josh Kreutz 68 Zachary Barlev

Soph Soph

77 Connor Colby 58 Kade Pieper

Jr Fr

72 Zy Crisler 66 Jordyn Slaughter

Soph Sr

67 Gennings Dunker 79 Daijon Parker

Soph Sr

78 Isaiah Adams 73 Josh Gesky

Sr Soph

Soph

Drew Stevens

DEFENSE

Luke Altmyer John Paddock

Caleb Griffin

Soph Sr Fr Jr

DEFENSE

45 Deontae Craig 48 Max Llewellyn

Jr Soph

4 Jer’Zhan Newton 48 Bryce Barnes

Jr Sr

94 Yahya Black 95 Aaron Graves

Jr Soph

6 Denzel Daxon 23 TeRah Edwards

Sr Soph

85 Logan Lee 55 Jeremiah Pittman

Sr Soph

88 Keith Randolph Jr. 55 Sed McConnell

Jr Soph

13 Joe Evans 49 Ethan Hurkett

Sr Jr

OLB 17 15

Gabe Jacas Jared Badie

Soph #Fr

Leo/ 37 Kyler Fisher Cash 29 Sebastian Castro

Sr Sr

8 41

Tarique Barnes James Kreutz

Sr #Fr

MLB 34 Jay Higgins 41 Jaden Harrell

Sr Soph

28 Dylan Rosiek 39 Kenenna Odeluga

Soph Soph

WLB 10 Nick Jackson 37 Kyler Fisher

Sr Sr

OLB 49 Seth Coleman 90 Alec Bryant

Jr Soph

8 4

Deshaun Lee Koen Entringer

#Fr #Fr

3 2

Jr Fr

1 Xavier Nwankpa 29 Sebastian Castro

Soph Sr

OO Nicario Harper 21 Clayton Bush

Sr Sr

30 Quinn Schulte 4 Koen Entringer

Sr #Fr

10 1

Miles Scott Demetrius Hill

Soph Soph

27 Jermari Harris 20 Deavin Hilson

Jr Soph

14 12

Xavier Scott Elizah Mc-Cantos

Soph #Fr

Hugh Robertson

Soph

Tory Taylor

Tahveon Nicholson Saboor Karriem

Matt McGowan Pregame Editor

matthew-r-mcgowan@uiowa.edu

1. Filling Cooper DeJean’s void Just when everything finally seemed to be going Iowa’s way, disaster struck once again, as star cornerback Cooper DeJean suffered a season-ending lower leg injury at practice on WedDeJean nesday. The loss of the 2023 AP midseason first-team All-American in the secondary will be quite the challenge for the Hawkeyes. Taking DeJean’s spot on the depth chart is redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee, who has missed three games this season due to injury but returned to action two weeks ago against Northwestern. Lee started the Hawkeyes’ first two games of the season in place of the then-suspended Lee Jermari Harris. Hailing from Belleville, Michigan, Lee racked up 15 tackles and two pass defenses in those contests. Both Lee and Harris will need to be on their toes against Illinois’ top wideout, Isaiah Williams, who has the most grabs and yards after catch in the Big Ten this season.

2. Repeat offensive showing The most shocking aspect of Iowa’s 22-0 win last week wasn’t the shutout, but rather the offensive resurgence. Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz called his best game of the season. No three-and-outs, 402 yards of offense, and a B. Ferentz 50 percent conversion rate on third down; all against a Rutgers squad that currently ranks 13th in the nation in total defense. Such a performance could simply be an exception, or could be the spark to a late-season revamping that fuels a run to the Big Ten Championship. Against an Illinois team that ranks in the bottom third of the conference in rushing and passing defense, Saturday is the perfect opportunity to sustain such success. A turnover-free game from quarterback Deacon Hill, as well as a minimum of 175 yards for Iowa’s group of running backs, will be the keys to doing so.

3. Countersuing the law firm

To many Iowa women’s basketball fans’ dismay, the Fighting Illini have their own version of ‘The Law Firm’ situated on the defensive line. The partners: defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. The pair were named Athlon 2023 preseason All-Americans, with Newton on the first team and Randolph on the third. Randolph is the bigger of the two, measuring out at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds. His 5.1 tackles per game rank third in the Power Five at his position. Meanwhile, Newton is what Iowa head coach Newton Kirk Ferentz calls a “rare talent,” whose skill and athleticism allow him to play on both the right and left sides of the D-Line. The Law Firm led the nation in tackles for loss and QB pressures among D-line duos last year, and such success has continued this season. Running up the middle and utilizing the QB sneak will be no easy task for Iowa, so how much it adjusts with play-action will be interesting to see on Saturday.

4. Illinois’ QB situation While many Hawkeye fans were pleased with Hill’s 223 passing yards against Rutgers, they should be floored by the 507 passing yards from Illinois QB John Paddock in his first start for the Illini this season. Yet even after setting the all-time single-game passing yards record for Illinois’ Memorial Stadium last week, Paddock finds himself on the bench for the matchup against the Hawkeyes. Instead, taking the reins is Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer, who started the Illini’s first nine games before missing last week’s contest against Indiana with a head injury. Measuring at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Altmyer has tossed for 1,883 yards and 13 touchdowns to the tune of a 64.8 completion percentage. However, the quarterback is also susceptible to negative plays, taking 34 sacks and throwing 10 interceptions this season. Given his backup’s historic performance last week, it will be interesting to see how long Altmyer’s leash is, especially against a top-tier defense in Iowa.

5. Kicking accuracy Newton is tied for first place in the FBS with three blocked kicks, all coming against Big Ten foes, so there’s some danger potential. Hawkeye kicker Drew Stevens has missed a field goal in back-to-back games. This may seem brash and too nitpicky, but if Iowa wants to stay competitive in the postseason, every point will matter.

The Daily Iowan Publisher Jason Brummond jason-brummond@uiowa.edu Executive Editor Sabine Martin sabine-martin@uiowa.edu Pregame Editor Matt McGowan matthew-r-mcgowan@uiowa.edu Sports Editor Kenna Roering mckenna-roering@uiowa.edu Asst. Sports Editor Colin Votzmeyer colin-votzmeyer@uiowa.edu Football Reporter Cooper Worth cooper-worth@uiowa.edu Managing Editor Parker Jones parker-jones@uiowa.edu Managing Editor, Digital Jami Martin-Trainor jami-martin-trainor@uiowa.edu Managing Editor, Enterprise and Design Marandah Mangra-Dutcher marandah-mangra-dutcher@ uiowa.edu Managing Editor, Visuals Ayrton Breckenridge ayrton-breckenridge@uiowa.edu Asst. Design Editor Bri Brown brianna-m-brown@uiowa.edu DITV Sports Director Michael Merrick michael-j-merrick@uiowa.edu Business Manager Debra Plath debra-plath@uiowa.edu 319-335-5786 Advertising Director/ Circulation Manager Juli Krause juli-krause@uiowa.edu 319-335-5784 Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi-owen@uiowa.edu The Daily Iowan (USPS 143-360), the student newspaper at the University of Iowa, is published by Student Publications, Inc., E131 Adler Journalism Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. Published in print weekly on Wednesdays during the academic year, Fridays of Hawkeye football game weekends (Pregame), and year-round on dailyiowan.com. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Iowa City Post Office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Iowan, E131 Adler Journalism Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. Copyright 2023 Student Publications, Inc.

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Hawkeye finds progress in the details

Linebacker Kyler Fisher always tunes in to the “nitty-gritty” to accomplish his objectives. Matt McGowan Pregame Editor matthew-r-mcgowan@uiowa.edu Iowa linebacker Kyler Fisher isn’t afraid to design his own future, even when the world around him paints a different picture. Driving home from Minnesota State University, Mankato with his parents after a visit in December of 2018, Fisher wasn’t as happy with the choice to play football for the Division II school as his parents, Gerald and Heather. The pair thought the south-central Minnesota school would be a good fit, but, still a teenager at the time, Fisher had other plans. A star two-way player coming out of Southeast Valley High School in Gowrie, Iowa, Fisher had the opportunity to start right away for Minnesota State, but he didn’t want to settle for expectations. Graduating from a Class 2A school whose current enrollment is 336 kids, the then-5-foot-11, 182-pounder was undersized at his position and didn’t attract much Division I attention. Even with offers from Mankato and Upper Iowa, Fisher couldn’t take his mind off Iowa, which had offered the linebacker a preferred walk-on spot in October of that year. For Fisher, playing for the Hawkeyes would be a different challenge but nothing he couldn’t conquer. “That drive home, he said, ‘A 19-yearold Kyler is going to be way bigger and way stronger than 18-year-old Kyler,’” Heather Fisher told The Daily Iowan.

Photo of Kyler Fisher contrbiuted by Gerald Gisher

“And I didn’t think about that at all … He knew that he needed that time.” Committing to Iowa the same month as that car ride, Fisher more than took advantage of that time, hitting the weight room, taking agility training, and honing his athleticism on the wrestling mat and football field. Ever since he was a boy, Fisher never wasted time, as he was constantly motivated to achieve a goal. Before he was a three-time state finalist on the mat and first-team all-state member in football, Fisher’s drive to succeed started at one of the first wrestling camps he attended. At that camp, the then-sixth grader learned about goal-setting, planning, and visualization. These lessons left a tangible impact. Heather said her son hung a list on his bedroom wall outlining what he wanted to accomplish, such as a certain amount of takedowns, and then meticulously broke down that macro goal into daily tasks. “It would be less time on social media, get up earlier, so many pushups before he went to bed,” Heather remembered. “It’s small things, but he

always felt like small things are what add to the bigger picture.” That bigger picture once revolved around wrestling, but Gerald Fisher said his son’s dream was on the football field. Fisher told his parents in eighth grade he would wrestle throughout high school, but his future was directed at playing football at the collegiate level. Now a fifth-year senior measuring 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds, Fisher turned that walk-on spot into a full scholarship prior to his junior season. “He took everything he had learned from everything at that point and poured it all into being the best teammate, the best player, and the best person he could be,” Gerald said.

Quiet physicality Gerald said Fisher started wrestling at age six and then added football to his activities in second grade, joining a flag league before making his way up to tackle.

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“I’ve never seen an athlete just take over a football team his senior season. Don’t get me wrong, we had some other good teammates, but it was what he did. He put us on his back, and we rode him.” Mark Swieter Southeast Valley head football coach on Kyler Fisher

Those two high-contact activities seemed a bit incongruous with Fisher’s quiet demeanor. Gerald said his son didn’t talk a whole lot and would spend his free time on his Nintendo DS solving puzzles. But on the wrestling mat, Fisher’s actions told a different story. Lining the floor of the Fishers’ basement was a wrestling mat, which served as the battleground for Fisher and his two brothers, Keaton and Tre. For Gerald, the trio thrived in what could be best described as an anarchy environment. “It was kind of every man for himself,” Gerald recalled with a chuckle. “The more physical the matches, the more physical the opponent. [Fisher] enjoyed that, so I think it was the physicality of it all that attracted him to football.” Such physicality was present on the gridiron, as Fisher had no choice but to hit people. As a fifth and sixth grader, Fisher was about one pound over the weight limit, meaning he couldn’t run the ball and had to resort to lining up at defensive end. According to Gerald, his son found enjoyment in overpowering an opponent, but even in his prep days would always let his performance do the talking.

‘Who will step up’ For Southeast Valley head varsity football coach Mark Swieter, figuring out who Fisher was took some time. While the linebacker would sometimes “talk your ear off” to the coach, he was still a “very quiet individual,” but one whose determination never waned. “He would score a touchdown and get called back for holding, and he wouldn’t say anything negative or anything,” Swieter said. “You just knew that he was going to give you everything he had.” As a second-year for the Jaguars, Fisher racked up 116 tackles while also rushing for 84 yards on 15 carries. The next season, Fisher’s responsibilities on the offensive side increased, as he dashed for 793 yards while also factoring into the receiving game, snagging 11 catches for 111 yards. Fisher also played special teams, and Swieter said he couldn’t remember a time the linebacker wasn’t on the field over his final three years at Southeast Valley. Yet even with these numbers, the Iowa football coaching staff had to travel all the way to a camp at Lindenwood University in Missouri to realize Fisher had been under their nose for quite a while. Fisher was one of approximately

Grace Smith | The Daily Iowan

Iowa linebacker Kyler Fisher attempts to take down Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins during a Cy-Hawk football game between Iowa and Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Sept. 9. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones, 20-13. Fisher has 23 total tackles this season.

Grace Smith | The Daily Iowan

Iowa linebacker Kyler Fisher and defensive lineman Anterio Thompson prepare for a play during a football game between Iowa and Rutgers at Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 11. The Hawkeyes defeated the Scarlet Knights, 22-0. Fisher’s initial position at Iowa was as a defensive back before making the switch to linebacker after his first season. 1,200 kids at the camp, but the then-19-yearold’s hip work and downfield movement stuck out to Hawkeye linebackers coach Seth Wallace. “I remember when Wallace asked [Fisher] where he was from, and he told him, and [Wallace] said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ Heather said. “‘Like, how in the world did I come all the way to St. Louis to see a kid that is from my backyard?’” Just four months after that camp, the Hawkeyes offered Fisher a preferred walk-on spot. That fall, Fisher’s senior year at Southeast Valley, was when the linebacker truly left a mark. The Jaguars started off that season with two consecutive wins in dominant fashion, outscoring their foes, 88-14. Then, adversity struck, as the team dropped a double-overtime heartbreaker to Belmond-Klemme and then got crushed by South Central Calhoun, 49-6. Sitting at 2-2, Swieter called a team meeting and asked which one of his players was going to step up and deliver the rest of the season. For the coach, Fisher answered that call swiftly and decisively, “putting the team on his shoulder” by rushing for more than 1,000 yards for the rest of the regular season and playoffs. The Jaguars won six consecutive games and finished as district champions. On its path to the title, Southeast Valley upset two top-ranked teams. Against then-No. 1 Spirit Lake, Fisher scored on an interception and fumble recovery in a 48-41 triumph. Then, in the opening round of the state playoffs, Southeast Valley matched up against current

Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean and his alma mater of OABCIG. In the 58-42 Jaguar victory, Fisher ran for 316 yards and scored seven touchdowns. After beating the Falcons, the Jaguars eventually fell in the state quarterfinals to Boyden-Hull. “I’ve never seen an athlete just take over a football team his senior season,” Swieter said. “Don’t get me wrong, we had some other good teammates, but it was what he did. He put us on his back, and we rode him.” Fisher graduated from Southeast Valley as the school record holder in career receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, rushing yards, rushing average, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard games, 200-yard games, 300-yard games, and career tackles. “It kept me ready to go,” Fisher said of his high school days playing a variety of positions. “Because I come here [to Iowa] and play every special team, so it’s kind of the same thing. Just always being versatile and ready to go in any situation.” It didn’t take long for Fisher’s situation to change at Iowa.

Walk-on mentality Originally committed to the Hawkeyes as a defensive back, Fisher made quite the impression on his teammates. One of these people was linebacker Jay Higgins, who was initially shocked Fisher was in the secondary in the first place.

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FISHER from 5

“I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a pretty big defensive back. He should probably be a linebacker,’” Higgins, who now rooms with Fisher, said. Both first-years at the time, Higgins was paired up with Higgins Fisher in a special teams drill, and Higgins bore witness to “the fastest guy I’ve ever seen in my life.” Yet to Fisher, his Hawkeye teammates made a similar first impression, which was a little intimidating to handle initially. “Everybody here was huge, like gigantic,” Fisher remembers of his first season. “I was like, ‘Holy crap,’ like trying to survive. But I think that freshman year was crucial for me, just being able to see how everybody handled their business at a Division I level.” Citing exemplary role models such as fellow Iowa walk-on Jack Koerner, Fisher said he learned to develop a ‘walk-on mentality,’ which he explained as keeping the head down and moving forward, even if others may be against you. Redshirting his first year in 2019, Fisher was moved over to linebacker, which he called an “abrupt” change but a move that ultimately felt more comfortable for him. Under the tutelage of starters Jack Campbell and Seth Benson, Fisher played in 33 games over the next three seasons, mostly on special teams, with 12 total tackles over that span. The main highlight of Fisher’s first three playing years came in the regular-season finale at Nebraska in 2021, when the linebacker returned Henry Marchese’s blocked punt 14 yards for a touchdown. Fisher said at Iowa football’s media day in 2022 that he still hears about the score back home, adding that he doesn’t remember much from the play until looking up and seeing his father celebrating on the video board. “I don’t even know how they found me in the stands,” Gerald remembers. “But it was unreal. I was so happy because of all the hard work he had put in at that point.” Such a reaction was dwarfed when Fisher told his parents he would be on scholarship prior to the 2022 season. The linebacker recalled how his dad ran out of the house in celebration while his mom began to cry tears of joy. For Fisher’s parents, the news took a little while to fully register. “[The team] had some time off for the weekend, and [Fisher] came home, and he was talking about getting a new nickname because he was on scholarship,” Gerald said. “But he just said it really casually in conversation. We had to stop, like, ‘Wait a minute. Let’s talk about this a little more.’” Fisher’s nonchalant announcement was similar to that of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz when he told the linebacker the news during a preseason practice, pulling him aside during

Ayrton Breckenridge| The Daily Iowan

Northwestern punter Hunter Renner punts the ball as Iowa linebacker Kyler Fisher attempts to block it during the 2023 Wildcats Classic, a football game between Iowa and Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Nov. 4. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wildcats, 10-7. Fisher has career-highs in solo tackles, tackle assists, tackles for loss, and sacks this season. position drills. “[Ferentz] was like, ‘Yeah, you’re on scholarship.’ Just made it very mundane, like not a big deal or anything,” Fisher recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh, I’m on scholarship, OK.’ I remember going back to the linebacker drills Ferentz … and Campbell and Benson were both freaking out and hyping me up a lot.” “I’m not a big fan of popping out of a cake and saying, ‘You got a scholarship,’ that kind of social media stuff,” Ferentz said. “[Fisher’s] matured physically and mentally, which is what college football is all about, it’s the fun part about it. There was no question in our mind at that time — he deserved a scholarship.” This season, Fisher has played in all ten games, including his first-career start at Penn State in September. He already has career-highs in 16 solo tackles, seven tackle assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble. In his

lone start against the Nittany Lions, the linebacker had another career-best with seven total tackles. In front of a hostile crowd of over 106,000 people, Penn State’s first play from scrimmage targeted Fisher, but the linebacker didn’t flinch. He forced running back Kaytron Allen into the ground for a loss of two yards. Just six weeks later, Fisher again found himself making another critical tackle, this time on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line at Wrigley Field. The linebacker stuffed Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan for no gain. “That whole series, honestly, was probably one of the best four downs I’ve ever been a part of,” Fisher said, making sure to credit the Hawkeye defensive line for assisting in the stop. While Fisher continues to make the plays he did back in his youth days, the 22-year-old still takes the same approach off the field. Heather said her son currently has a white-

board hung up in his room in Iowa City to line out his daily and weekly goals. “I’ve always been kind of the bad influence … like, ‘Buddy, life is short, go out or go do this,’” she said. “And he’s so down to the nitty-gritty, like, even now he shuts off his notifications on his phone. It’s still from sixth-grade wrestling.” “He’s willing to do whatever it takes. I mean, this kid does every bit of football … from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed,” she continued. “It’s all about what he can do to be a better teammate and a better person.” For Gerald, Fisher’s choice to play at Iowa may have been the more difficult option, but it was never something his son was going to shy away from. Ultimately, his son is the architect of his future and isn’t going to favor any convenience. “It’s no cutting corners,” Gerald said. “He wants to do it the right way. If it’s the hard way, so what? He’s going to do it that way.”

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IOWA -3

IOWA -3 IIlinois comes into Week 12 ranking 110th in defensive line yards and 101st in defensive rushing success rate. That’s a problem because the defenses Iowa tends to have a modicum of success against are units that can’t control the line of scrimmage. I’ll lay a field goal with a motivated Iowa team.

I don’t think Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer will deliver against the Hawkeyes’ stout defense. Yes, Illinois is hot right now, but it hasn’t played a top-10 defense on the road this season. The Illini rank second-to-last in the conference in sacks allowed, so expect domination up front for Iowa.

UNDER 30.5

Can I just copy and paste my blurbs from the past five weeks here? While the Hawkeyes found some success last week, this is a unit that still ranks dead last in the country in total offense and outside the top 120 in rushing success rate, passing success rate, and finishing drives.

At the end of the day, Iowa’s 400-yard performance against Rutgers yielded just 22 points. That wouldn’t even do the job for the now-defunct Drive for 325. Need I also remind you these two teams played in a “riveting” 9-6 game last season? In any Big Ten West game, scoring is opitional.

The Daily Iowan’s official bettor’s guide to Iowa football’s Week 12 matchup with Illinois.

1722

NORTH CAROLINA +7 Led by star QB Drake Maye, the Tar Heels can keep pace in what’s sure to be a barn-burner.

Ruden’s 2023 record: 19-11

1901

McGowan’s 2023 record: 21-9

GEORGIA -10 The Bulldogs have won their last two games over Tennessee by an average of 19 points.

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One on One: Connor Colby

The Hawkeye right guard talked deserted island survival and knee braces with The Daily Iowan Sports Editor Kenna Roering. #77 Connor Colby • Junior | Offensive lineman | 6-foot-6 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa

WE’VE MOVED! 119 ½ E. Washington St., Iowa City (next to Target) 319.339.TAT2 (8282) hotspottattoo.com Health Department Approved and Clean, Licensed Facility

The Daily Iowan: If you didn’t play football, what would you be doing on Saturdays? Connor Colby: I would probably be watching football. What’s your favorite team? I was a Steelers fan growing up, which is kind of odd. But being from Iowa, we don’t have an NFL team so you just have to pick one. Are there any other sports you like to watch? I’d say football is definitely my favorite. I can’t really sit through anything else. What three items would you take with you to a deserted island? A knife. A big tarp so I can get out of the rain. And probably matches so I could start a fire. Is there someone on the team you think would help you survive on the island? Well, last year, it probably would’ve been Jack Campbell, to be honest with you. But this year, I’d probably go with Logan Lee or Tyler Elsbury. Why’s that? I just feel like they’d be the most helpful. What is your favorite movie genre? I like action movies. War movies are probably my favorites. If you could have anyone play you in an action movie, who would it be? Bert Kreischer came out with a movie, so I’ll probably go with him.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? About five minutes. I just brush my teeth and I’m out of the door. How would you describe your fashion style? I’m definitely laid-back. If I have to dress up, it’s jeans and boots, nothing fancy. Other than that, you can usually find me in baggy clothes. Do you have a favorite highlight or most embarrassing moment in your career? My most embarrassing thing was when I got here my freshman year in the spring. I was still learning how to run in knee braces. I was running off the field, they got caught on each other, and I just face planted. That was a low point in my life. Do your teammates still talk or joke about that moment with you? Luckily not. Every once in a while, I’ll just look it up on the film to watch it again. Where would you want to go on vacation? Are you more of a beach or mountains guy? I feel like I could go to either place as long as I’m doing something. Like, if I’m going on vacation, I’m gonna go do stuff that I can’t do in Iowa. So if I go to the beach, I’m definitely gonna find ATVs to drive on the beach. I can’t just lay there, tanning is not for me.

Find more online

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

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WEEK TWELVE

Power Rankings MICHIGAN Saturday | 11 a.m. | No. 3 Michigan (10-0, 7-0) Maryland (6-4, 3-4)

Cooper Worth Pregame Reporter

MARYLAND Even with Harbaugh not on the sidelines, the Wolverines still are a dominant football team. Just don’t call them “America’s Team.”

SECU Stadium College Park, MD

RUTGERS

MICHIGAN STATE Saturday | 11 a.m. | Michigan State (3-7, 1-6) Indiana (3-7, 1-6)

INDIANA The Toilet Bowl of the Big Ten East. Ironically, both of their basketball teams haven’t been very good this year, either.

Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN Line: Indiana -4.5 | O/U: 47.5

ILLINOIS Saturday | 2:30 p.m. | Illinois (5-5, 3-4)

IOWA The Hawkeyes look to get revenge from last year’s “barn-burner” of a game. The final score was 9-6.

No. 16 Iowa (8-2, 5-2) Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA Line: Iowa -3 | O/U: 30.5

Can Ohio State and Michigan just play each other already?

PENN STATE

2. Michigan

If the Scarlet Knights thought Kinnick Stadium was loud, just wait until this game.

3. Penn State

Saturday | 11 a.m. | Rutgers (6-4, 3-4) No. 12 Penn State (8-2, 5-2)

Line: Michigan -19.5 | O/U: 51

1. Ohio State

Beaver Stadium University Park, PA

Eyes on your own paper, Jim. Maybe the lights were too bright for the Nittany Lions this season.

4. Iowa

Line: Penn State -20.5 | O/U: 42

Somehow, the Hawkeyes are now the clear favorites for the Big Ten West.

5. Rutgers PURDUE Saturday | 11 a.m. | Purdue (3-7, 2-5) Northwestern (5-5, 3-4)

NORTHWESTERN I’m really hoping Northwestern makes it to a bowl game this season.

The Scarlet Knights had many opportunities offensively against Iowa but couldn’t finish.

6. Maryland

Tagovailoa and Co. barely scraped by the Huskers to snap a four-game losing streak. Hooray?

7. Wisconsin

Ryan Field Evanston, IL Line: Purdue -1.5 | O/U: 47.5

After back-to-back losses against Indiana and Northwestern, Badger season is in shambles.

8. Northwestern MINNESOTA Saturday | 3 p.m. | Minnesota (5-5, 3-4) No. 2 Ohio State (10-0, 7-0) Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH

OHIO STATE This one could get ugly fast for the Golden Gophers. I would’ve just stayed underground than make such a futile trip.

Line: Ohio State -27.5 | O/U: 49

NEBRASKA Saturday | 6:30 p.m. | Nebraska (5-5, 3-4) Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4)

WISCONSIN Lot of potential implications in this one for the Big Ten West. Too bad it might just be for second place.

Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI Line: Wisconsin -6 | O/U: 37

The Wildcats continue to exceed expectations.

9. Minnesota

The Big Ten West is so confusing. Only one team in that division has at least six wins.

10. Nebraska

Holding Maryland to 13 points is a win. That’s how low things have gotten for the Huskers.

11. Illinois

Maybe the Illini should’ve gone with Paddock at QB from the start.

12. Purdue

The Boilermakers have a chance at finishing the season strong.

13. Indiana

Don’t fret, Hoosier fans; basketball season is here.

14. Michigan State I feel for Spartan fans.

14 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 | THE DAILY IOWAN PREGAME

DAILYIOWAN.COM

KID CAPTAIN

Cooper Estenson brings unconditional joy The 11-year-old has faced leukemia for the past two years, but his good mood never wanes.

Julia Rhodes News Reporter julia-rhodes@uiowa.edu Cooper Estenson found out he would be an Iowa football Kid Captain on April 24. That same date a year later, the 11-year-old will ring the bell at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, announcing an end to his stage of treatment for lymphoblastic T-cell leukemia. In November of 2021, a then-9-year-old Estenson developed a pale complexion and began experiencing fatigue, nausea, and headaches. He would later undergo testing at UIHC that December and be diagnosed with leukemia. Taking two high-dose steroids as part of his initial treatment, Estenson was placed in the pediatric ICU for two weeks in 2021 as the steroids induced side effects to his liver and kidneys. A typical day of treatment for Estenson looks much different now than it did when he was first diagnosed. He regularly gives blood and then goes through scheduled chemotherapy, but in the beginning, this was not always a given. Some days the family would go to the hospital optimistic that Estenson would receive chemo, but he was not always healthy enough to receive it that day. “That was always really frustrating because you just want to put it behind you, but everybody [at the children’s hospital] has always been amazing and fun,” Estenson’s mother, Kim Pederson, said. “It’s not a bad thing to sit through anymore.” Estenson’s most recent hospitalization was in August 2022. The family is both grateful and sad they won’t see the staff in the hospital they grew to love, Estenson’s father, Mike Estenson, said. The song Estenson chose for his Kid Captain Song is “Titanium,” by David Guetta, featuring Sia. He chose this song because it describes his experience with cancer and his endurance amidst struggle. His mom

even played the song for Estenson on the way home from his first discharge from the hospital. “During hard times when it was hard to push through, I just kept my head up and fought through it,” Estenson said. The Estensons also went to Crossover at Kinnick and Kids’ Day at Kinnick, where Estenson met his favorite Hawkeye football player, second-year running back Kaleb Johnson. While Estenson has never actually seen The Wave during a game, the family did orchestrate a personal wave when he was in the hospital during the football offseason. The family contacted distant relatives, friends, kids from Estenson’s school, and even first responders in Iowa City and Johnson County. The group gathered on the south side of Kinnick Stadium to wave up at the hospital at Estenson and his immediate family to show their support. Estenson also attended Dance Marathon in 2022 at both Iowa and Iowa State, as his sister, Grace, is the director of Dance Marathon for the Iowa State chapter. “I got to meet college students, talk about my journey through leukemia, and tell them what I like doing in my time not at the hospital,” Estenson said. Estenson played football himself before he was diagnosed, but he cannot continue during treatment because of the high contact. He played both running back and quarterback and is hoping to get back into the sport in the future. In the meantime, he now plays basketball and golf. Even while having to suspend playing football and facing side effects from his treatment, Estenson stayed positive throughout the journey and continued to bring joy on the hardest of days, Pederson said. “He’s absolutely hilarious and always happy and in a good mood,” she said. “He would do anything to make anybody laugh.”

Cooper Estenson’s favorites: Food: Pulled pork sandwiches Movie: “The Terminator” Player: Caitlin Clark

Vacation spot: Florida Animal: English Cream Golden Retriever therapy dog named Finn

Contributed by Mike Estenson of Cooper Estenson and Kaleb Johnson

DAILYIOWAN.COM

On The Line Matt McGowan Pregame Editor 39-21

IOWA

VS.

I made a dumb mistake last week. Never underestimate Kinnick.

VS.

Dominates in football and crop judging. Clearly the better school.

VS.

Utah has the better defense, not to mention National Parks.

KANSAS STATE

UTAH

MIAMI

VS.

Sign my petition to put a football field in the KFC YUM! Center.

USC

VS.

Exactly zero fans will be in attendance. Fake sports town.

VS.

Don’t let me down, Dabo. SPRINT down that hill.

CLEMSON

THE DAILY IOWAN PREGAME | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 | 15

The Daily Iowan staff share their predictions and thoughts on this week’s upcoming games.

Kenna Roering Sports Editor 34-26

IOWA

Buy your tickets to Indy now.

KANSAS STATE

The Wildcats will make it 15 in a row over the Jayhawks.

UTAH

The Utes will bounce back after a tough loss.

LOUISVILLE

A win sends the Cardinals to the ACC Championship.

USC

Colin Votzmeyer Asst. Sports Editor 40-20

IOWA

500 passing yards is impressive until you see who ILL was playing.

KANSAS STATE

I’d love to see 49 states. I’m OK with skipping Kansas.

UTAH

Hard to say. The Utes sit in the top 25 every year and do nothing.

LOUISVILLE

Ode to Lamar Jackson.

USC

Trojans have not met expectations, but are still better than Bruins.

USC! WHAT HAPPENED?

CLEMSON

NORTH CAROLINA

Arguably the Tigers’ Study the rise and fall of best performance of the Clemson football. year last week.

Cooper Worth

Football Reporter 34-26

IOWA

Michael Merrick

DITV Sports Director 31-29

IOWA

Iowa’s defense isn’t allowing 500 yards through the air.

Hawkeyes clinch the west at home.

KANSAS STATE

The Wildcats capitalize on an injury at QB for the Jayhawks.

ARIZONA

The Wildcats are legit.

LOUISVILLE

Too many blunders for the Hurricanes this season.

USC

What really is a Jayhawk anyway?

UTAH

Still can’t grasp the fact Arizona is good at football.

LOUISVILLE

The U is still not back.

USC

The Trojans finish the regular season on a high note.

It might give up 70 points but Caleb Williams can score 77.

CLEMSON

NORTH CAROLINA

Make it six straight versus UNC.

Clemson losing just makes me smile, to be honest.

John Bohnenkamp Sports Writing Coach 36-24

IOWA

Celebrating the Big Ten West title.

KANSAS

A coin flip in this rivalry.

ARIZONA

PAC-12 always has fun games.

LOUISVILLE

Cardinals flying under the radar, even in the top 10.

USC

This game is on BTN next season.

CLEMSON

Dabo is good again.

Jason Brummond Publisher 39-21

IOWA

Iowa is back, baby!

KANSAS STATE

Kansas is in full-on basketball mode now.

UTAH

It’s the wild west, where only a few teams play defense.

LOUISVILLE

Jeff Brohm is just happy to be out of West Lafayette.

USC

Once again, USC’s defense is the Iowa offense of defenses.

CLEMSON

The expectation is greater than the appreciation.

16 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 | THE DAILY IOWAN PREGAME

DAILYIOWAN.COM

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