PREGAME
A quiet assassin
How Iowa football running back Xavier Williams’ booming style o sets his silent persona.
5 things to watch
Nebraska came to Minneapolis last Friday with one of the Big Ten’s best offensive attacks, but left with far more questions than answers. That’s because Minnesota sacked quarterback Dylan Raiola nine times, resulting in an easy 24-6 win for the Golden Gophers. A successful pass rush is usually judged on a week-to-week basis but Minnesota has been dominant all season. The Gophers have recorded 23 sacks through seven games, trailing only Indiana atop the Big Ten leaderboard. Minnesota has many capable pass rushers, but one standout name is third-year defensive lineman Anthony Smith. The Pennsylvania native leads Minnesota with seven sacks, and is the only Gopher to collect more than three this season. Smith had 2.5 sacks in Minnesota’s win over Nebraska, and stopping him and the rest of this Gopher front will be a must for Iowa to defend its home turf.
John Nestor struggled throughout his Iowa career, but it appears all he needed was a change of scenery. Nestor has established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the Big Ten this year, and has already surpassed his total tackles from all of last season with the Hawkeyes. The Chicago native has recorded a team-high three interceptions for Minnesota, but he missed the Nebraska game with an injury. Jai’Onte’ McMillan filled in admirably, but the Golden Gophers will need Nestor in their secondary if they want to take down the Hawkeyes. Nestor’s injury was a late surprise for Minnesota, so expect him to play against his old team on Saturday.
Head coach P.J. Fleck’s strategy for winning football games for Minnesota is simple – play good defense and run the football. Fleck has won 63 games in Minneapolis by doing just that, and he has another good running back to run his offense this season –Darius Taylor. The third-year missed most of September with an injury, but had his best game of the season against Nebraska, rushing for 148 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries for an average of 6.2 yards per rush. Minnesota has a balanced running back room, but its offense runs through Taylor. Expect Fleck and Co. to give the experienced back another heavy workload to take the pressure off quarterback Drake Linsdsey’s shoulders.
No Iowa wide receiver caught more than two passes last weekend, and that figure will have to increase if the Hawkeyes want Floyd of Rosedale again. Off ensive coordinator Tim Lester stressed the need to spread the ball around the fi eld, and leading wide receiver Sam Phillips might be the man to do so. Phillips has built a strong connection with Gronowski, evidenced by his team-high 11 receptions and 193 yards. The senior failed to record a catch against Penn State, so expect Lester to try and get him involved against Minnesota.
It’s been an unseasonably-warm October in the Midwest, but football weather will finally return to Kinnick Stadium this weekend. The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-50s, making this the perfect fall football Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. njoy this one, Hawkeye fans.
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Williams making strides for 2025 Hawkeyes
The redshirt freshman is known for his quiet demeanor, but he’s been anything but shy on the field.
Gennings Dunker remembers it like it was yesterday. It was 2025 spring practice for the Iowa football team. The offense was scrimmaging the defense inside the team’s practice facility. The ball was lined up at the 20-yard line on the left hash mark, and Xavier Williams was lined up in the backfield.
Williams got the handoff, broke off for a run, and met a safety on the way to the end zone.
“I won’t name who the defensive player was, but [Williams] was running to the end zone and just smoked him,” Dunker said. “[He] lowered his shoulder, and the guy fell back, and he just kept running.”
Hawkeye fans didn’t see Williams last season, but the players knew what they had in him. Now in his second year, he’s getting the opportunity to shine, stacking great performances in a crowded backfield while displaying strength and speed almost every time he touches the ball.
“I remember when he was a young kid in his first year, he would just run people over,” Dunker said. “He’s always been kind of doing this stuff when he was a freshman.”
Williams spent the first portion of his childhood in Moore, Oklahoma, 20 minutes outside of Oklahoma City. The memories of his early life remain present, from his friends, his school, his church, to his youth football teams. He rooted for and celebrated the Oklahoma City Thunder for winning the 2025 NBA Championship.
Football made its entrance when he was six years old and stayed for every year after that, with the only exception during his fourth-grade year, when he and his family moved to Indiana.
Williams’ game grew by the time he arrived at Lake Central High School, where he gained attention after compiling 1,451 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in his junior season.
He received formal offers from Miami (Ohio), Ball State, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Indiana State, Kent State, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo, all in his junior year.
But he refrained from making a choice, instead staying patient and waiting for the right opportunity.
“It’s definitely tough while I’m going through it. I didn’t
have the full picture,” Williams said. “I knew once I got an opportunity, I would take advantage of it.”
Then came Kelvin Bell, Iowa’s defensive line coach. He discovered Williams’ film, and their relationship grew through several conversations.
The Hawkeyes loved the information they gathered and sent a formal offer to Williams. Williams committed to the program 18 days later as a junior on April 15, 2023. And even though he suffered a partially torn ACL in his senior season, the offer remained on the table.
“Just everything about Iowa. The culture, the [offensive] line, just everything or anybody could really want, in my opinion,” Williams said. “So I really didn’t want to waste any time. I knew I liked it here, so I just wanted to lock it in.”
By the time he left Lake Central, Williams had earned all-conference honors and all-state recognition, and was a four-time football letterman as a running back. He also served as one of the Indians’ team captains.
Williams’ commitment went beyond the football field. After graduating high school with academic honors, he
planned to study aviation in college, even though the University of Iowa doesn’t offer the program.
Pre-business currently fills the void as football takes the center stage of Williams’ life in Iowa City. The opportunity to play Big Ten football was too valuable to pass up.
“Everything happens for a reason, so I didn’t really sweat it too hard. But there definitely was a little chip on my shoulder,” Williams said. “[I] wasn’t under-recruited, and I didn’t get all the offers that I was looking for at the moment, but I ended up at the right place. And I’m super happy to be here. They take a chance on me, so I’m really just trying to just ball out while I have the opportunity.”
When Iowa announced then-running backs coach Ladell Betts was joining the NFL’s New York Giants staff for the same position, Omar Young was one of the candidates that immediately jumped out due to his experience.
Young served as an assistant coach for four NFL teams
across six seasons, as well as several years in college football. He’s seen plenty of running backs throughout his time, but Williams’ potential was eye-popping for him.
“When I watched the tape the first time, I’m like, ‘Oh my god, this is a big dude that can run downhill,’” Young said. “I’m thinking, ‘Big Ten, true back.’ That’s the first thing I’m thinking about.”
“As I’m going through the process, I’m like, ‘It’d be cool if I got a chance to work with him,’ and it worked out that way,” he added. “I was blessed and fortunate, and then to just see how he goes about his business.”
Williams’work ethic has impressed his teammates.
“[It] just comes from the way he approaches everything in practice,” said fourth-year offensive lineman Logan Jones. “The way he practices, you see it every time out there. He’s always working on something.”
Each player brings their own unique style to the table. But out of the five, Williams poses as the bruiser of the group.
“He’s like a little bowling ball with knives. He’s a monster,” Dunker said. “I mean, he’s a big guy. Have you seen him in person?”
In Iowa’s first game of the season against Albany, Williams led all running backs with 122 rushing yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. One of the primary factors for his performance was due to Moulton sustaining an injury in the first drive of the game.
Despite the injury to his counterpart, Williams’ performance served as a major confidence booster.
“It was definitely a big moment,” Williams said. “But after you’re out there for a little bit, it’s just football. So let’s try and go out there, play my game, play the best that I can, and usually it all works out from there”
Through five games this season, Williams has 245 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 34 carries. He ranks third on the team in rushing yards, and his 7.2 yards per rush tops all ball-carriers.
That’s the reason Williams chose to come to Iowa. He believed in his abilities, but he also believed he’d put in the work behind the scenes so he could take advantage of an opportunity when it came.
“He always worked hard, and he was always working,” Dunker said. “I don’t know if it’s really changed a whole lot.”
Kaleb Johnson’s breakout season last season placed the Hawkeyes’ running back room on high notice. Johnson departed for the NFL, but Iowa’s backfield still sees production from Williams, Kamari Moulton, Jaziun Patterson, Terrell Washington Jr., and Nathan McNeil.
“Just try and work hard every day,” Williams said. “It’s easy to kind of take days off, especially like the long season that we have, but just attack every day like it’s your last and just work on stuff that you want to do out there on Saturday. I think it’s the biggest key.”
Williams doesn’t do much outside of school-related activities. Even when he’s away from the field, he’s still around his teammates in some way, whether they’re playing NBA 2K, going bowling, and anything else that adds to the team chemistry.
Video games are one of his vices to his downtime. EA Sports College Football is one of the games he plays with his friends, even though he’s not in the game yet.
To no one’s surprise, he uses the same team each time he plays.
“Whenever I do get a chance to play, like with my buddies or something, I’m always using Iowa,” Williams said. “I think that’s every kid’s dream is to be in a video game, that’d be really cool. Hopefully one day.”
Williams will get his chance to be in the game down the line as he continues to be an integral part of Iowa’s success.
“It’s nice to play well, but at the end of the day, if we don’t win, it’s really all for
nothing,” Williams said. “Selfishly, I want to play well every single game, but at the end of the day, we have to get the dub for it to matter. So definitely winning comes first.”
At Iowa’s 2025 media day, Williams nearly went unnoticed. Not because he tried to, but because of his quiet demeanor.
Williams doesn’t say much, nor does he need to. He’s a man who relies heavily on faith and football and lets his game do the talking. It’s a humble approach that has earned praise from his teammates.
“Just the way he runs the ball,” Jones said.
a shift in his mindset will take his game to the next level.
“That’s part of the thing that I’m working on with him, just [him] understanding, ‘Bro, you are that guy. You can be that guy,’” Young said. “Because when you have that temperament of being an easygoing kid, sometimes it’s hard to turn that switch on. And we’re getting him to flip that switch on more frequently.”
“But the work ethic has never been a question,” Young continued. “And so he’s always had that, and now it’s just a matter of instilling the mindset with that, and now you see the work ethic start to take off and prosper even more.”
“Super physical downhill, like all our running backs. Just the way they approach everything is why they’ve had so much success. So that’s a credit to them and coach Young.”
Young came to Iowa vowing to push all of his running backs to reach their highest potential. In Williams’ case, Young believes
Playing in a run-heavy system with one of the best offensive lines in the country certainly aids Williams’ development. His 7.2 yards per carry don’t happen by himself, and is sure to rely on his teammates.
“Just maximizing the offensive line while they’re still here, it’s definitely good motivation, Williams said. And as a team, we just want to succeed as a team while we still have all the talent here this year, he added. So that’ll be some motivation every week, for sure.
That’s definitely part of our identity, Williams said. We want to be able to run the ball every game, no matter who we play. So I’d say it’s definitely on our mind every week, just sticking to our personality, just like a wellrounded offense.
As Williams continues to improve his game under head coach Kirk erent ’s development program, he’ll
Though quarterback Mark Gronowski was brought in to upgrade the passing game, the Hawkeyes have stayed true to their identity of running the football. But when the passing game gets going, they pose as a dangerous team that could beat you in multiple ways, on both offense and defense.
continue to reach new heights individually that’ll lead to the team success he hopes to see. If I told you that he still hasn’t completely scratched the surface, would you believe me oung asked. The dude still has another two steps that he could potentially take to be even better than where he is.
Physicality and smarts: Xavier Nwankpa’s five-star success
The defensive back has found his stride in his final season as a Hawkeye.
Xavier Nwankpa’s tackle not only dislodged the football, but also tore the esh of his outer ear. The Iowa senior defensive back launched his 6-foot-2 frame into the midsection of Penn State quarterback Ja on Smolik. Standing up to admire his the first forced fumble of his career, Nwankpa yelled e uberantly at the Hawkeye sideline, slapping his right hand against the side of his helmet, otherwise oblivious to the gushing blood inside. Amid a fourth quarter battle with the Nittany Lions, adrenaline served as a momentary shield, but Nwankpa could feel a gap ripped open on his outer ear. Inspecting the wound with his white gloves stained them red with blood. He was bleeding all right, the second time in two games he would require stitches. riction between his skin and the inside of his helmet most likely caused the gash, but Nwankpa’s helmet is making a lot of collisions lately.
The blue thread woven between his skin is less a sign of an equipment malfunction but more so an indicator of his increased physicality. Nwankpa’s takedown of Smolik wasn’t his first – the defensive back said he strip-sacked the quarterback back in high school – but the most-recent evidence of the five-star recruit finding his stride in his final year of eligibility.
It didn’t really click the last couple of years, Nwankpa said. This last year, it’s really starting to click.
Nwankpa’s performance in Iowa’s win over Penn State featured a team-high seven solo tackles, the forced fumble, and his first interception since 2023. The following day, Nwankpa woke up from a nap to his phone buzzing with social media notifications.
ans were tagging him not to critici e, but congratulate. Nwankpa won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, an award he dismissed as in the past, but nevertheless, a reminder he’s playing what he dubbed his best brand of football. or me personally, just playing physical out there, being able to fly around, Nwankpa said. Then for the Iowa defense, it’s the same thing. We want to be the most physical team every week.
optimism from Hawkeye fans, who saw Nwankpa as the potential face of the unit.
Nwankpa even left Southeast Polk early to spend the second semester of his senior year in Iowa City. While aware of his recruit’s hype, erent argued against the high e pectations of Nwankpa. Any recruit arriving on campus is essentially competing against players three or four years older and just as skilled, if not more so due to the e perience.
Sometimes I feel like people don’t always have a fair e pectation, erent said. That’s why I don’t believe in stars, recruiting stars, or reviews.
said. I know when I got him at safety, I just look at him and know what call we’re gonna go to.
Nwankpa isn’t alone in his growth. nder the eyes of defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator Phil Parker, the Iowa secondary holds itself to an elevated standard. Parker played at Michigan State and will often remind players of his glory days. A defensive back takes a slow break toward the ball, and Parker will claim he would’ve made the interception and scored easily.
Nwankpa’s increased physicality is evident in his 37 tackles this season, fourth-most on the team and well on pace to e ceed his career-high of 41 back in 2023. Many e pected head-turning production from Nwankpa signed with Iowa out of Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. The highest-rated recruit of head coach Kirk erent ’s tenure, Nwankpa chose Iowa over Ohio State and Notre Dame. A homegrown talent staying in his own backyard garnered
Expectations aside, Nwankpa established himself in the secondary with 23 starts over his first three seasons, experiencing thrills such as an interception return for a touchdown in the 2023 bowl game against Kentucky, but also the doldrums, like an in-game benching last year against Iowa State.
Nwankpa said navigating such uctuations is one of the best things he’s learned. On the field, his intelligence speaks for itself.
He’s a smart man back there, Iowa cornerback T.J. Hall
Yet Nwankpa said Parker will most prioritize the plays that weren’t made. ootball’s a rapid, volatile game, and being just a step behind can be a major hindrance. or Nwankpa, gaining the e tra step involves setting the tempo.
The defensive backs watch film of former Hawkeye Bob Sanders. The iolence Tape, they call it. Watching Sanders sprint and level opposing receivers reminds Nwankpa he can do the same. In his last year of eligibility, he holds no regrets and has nothing to lose.
I have limited opportunities to go out there and prove myself, show what I can do, Nwankpa said. So I’m really trying to lay it on the line and give it everything.
One on One: Jayden Montgomery
The third-year linebacker discussed his greatest accomplishment, dream car, and most used emoji.
The Daily Iowan: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Jayden Montgomery: Invest. I’m a big investment guy, put some money away, so hopefully I don’t have to work again. Then I’d have some fun money too. I’d invest in the S&P 500, let it roll.
What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
I think being able to have an impact on others is huge for me. I’ve been blessed in so many ways to just be here. If I can have an impact on some little kids, or on anybody, I think that’s awesome.
What is your favorite NFL team, and who is your favorite player?
I’ve got to go with the Bengals. My dad coaches for the Bengals. Then, for my favorite player, Ray Lewis. He’s fun to watch.
What is your dream car?
A big old truck. GMC Denali, jacked up. Put some 35s on it. Pretty sweet.
What do you enjoy spending money on?
I try to save a lot of my money, but I would say clothes and shoes are probably the biggest things. But I try to stay away from spending it as much as I can.
What is the greatest challenge or struggle you’ve faced?
I think, like injuries, you know, that’s always kind of a big one. I’ve had an ACL, I’ve had some groin and core muscle surgery, so things like that. But I think you also learn a lot from those, so it’s tough to count them as a setback when you still learn some stuff from that.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?
Fly or teleport. Just to get wherever you want to be would be nice. Teleporting would probably be quicker than ying.
Which emoji do you use the most? Probably the laughing one with the tears.
Can the Hawkeyes shut down the Gophers’ pass rush?
a tough challenge. The Gophers are coming off of a dominant 24-6 win over then-No. 25 Nebraska last Friday. Minnesota’s offense wasn’t overwhelming, but its defense showed its prowess by sacking Cornhusker quarterback Dylan Raiola nine times.
team said this has always been a really fun game. There’ve been some close matchups in the past, and I think it’s gonna be a really fun one on Saturday.”
Pork will again be on the line when the Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Golden Gophers take the field at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, but it won’t be the edible type.
Instead, it will morph into the form of Floyd of Rosedale, a 98-pound bronze pig trophy which celebrates 91 seasons of historic existence this year.
Minnesota (5-2, 3-1) leads the all-time series 63-53-2, but the rivalry has been an Iowa showcase for over a decade. The Hawkeyes (5-2, 3-1) have won 10 out of the last 11 meetings, including a 31-14 drubbing in Minneapolis last year. The lone Iowa loss in that span was in 2023, when Cooper DeJean’s go-ahead punt return touchdown was overturned by an invalid fair catch signal, a call that still rankles many Hawkeye supporters.
Saturday will mark the Gophers’ first visit to Kinnick Stadium since that October day. Iowa players have long erased the play from their minds, but they did acknowledge the natural energy that comes with a rivalry game.
“I think anytime we go against Minnesota their fans hate us. I’m pretty sure our fans hate them, fifth-year center Logan Jones said at media availability Tuesday. “And that’s what you want. I mean, that’s what college football is all about.”
“They’re a lot of fun. There’s going to be a lot of energy,” fourthyear defensive lineman Aaron Graves added.
Minnesota’s poor record against Iowa in the 21st century is well-documented by Hawkeye fans, but Iowa is prepared for
Though the Hawkeyes weren’t able to watch the MinnesotaNebraska game live, they’ve watched plenty of the Gophers’ sets in the film room. Jones knows his group will have a stiff test in front of them, but he is embracing the challenge.
They’ll show you a lot of different fronts trying to confuse you, especially in third and long,” Jones said. “Just a whole lot of looks that are challenging, but it’s kind of fun getting to go up against that, because you get to match up against it.”
While Jones’ job is to tussle in the trenches and protect Mark Gronowski, the quarterback’s assignment is to improve the passing game. While Gronowski ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa’s 25-24 triumph over Penn State, he recorded just 68 yards and an interception through the air. As the senior continues to work on developing chemistry with his wide receivers in practice, Gronowski has the comfort and confidence to use his legs to extend plays and counter the powerful Minnesota pass rush.
“I think the ability to scramble is going to be important, but I think what’s going to be even more important is just being able to get the ball out quick, making quick decisions, so that the defense doesn’t even end up affecting you, Gronowski said.
Floyd of Rosedale usually resides in the foyer of Iowa’s practice facility, but it now sits in the Hawkeyes’ weight room, which serves as an important reminder for Iowa. The Hawkeyes know they will have to play a 60-minute game to hoist the trophy.
“I’m really excited,” Gronowski said. “A lot of the guys in the
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touchdowns on their first three drives to take a 20-0 lead in the second quarter. Though Iowa managed just three points the rest of the way, its defense finished the job, sacking Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan twice on the Gophers’ final drive of the game. A.J. penesa’s powerful sack knocked Morgan out of the game, and backup quarterback Cole Kramer’s desperation heave
The capacity crowd at Kinnick Stadium stormed the field in celebration, and Minnesota’s dream season was over. The Hawkeyes finished the 2019 season with a
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The Daily Iowan sta shares their thoughts on this week’s upcoming games
Luke Johnston’s courage shines through rare condition
The 8-year-old was diagnosed with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome shortly after his birth.
When Luke Johnston was born with genetic markers, doctors had to run a series of tests. After the results came back, Amy and Joey Johnston discovered their newborn son was diagnosed with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that results in fused bones throughout the body.
According to University of Iowa Healthcare, Luke underwent tethered spinal surgery and webbed finger repair at the family’s local hospital near Peoria, Illinois.
Luke was at high risk for paralysis due to his C1 vertebra being fused to his skull. This led to another diagnosis for Luke, called Atlanto-occipital assimilation. The condition causes portions of his spine to be pushed into where his brain stem and spinal cord meet.
The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is one of the few places in the country that performs the necessary surgery for Luke. With the Johnston family living three hours away and having two other children, the trips to Iowa City were tough on them.
“We were in Iowa for about 10 days, and then after that, he was in a full upper body brace for six months,” Amy said. “[Luke had] a lot of restrictions still, like no PE, no recess, no sports, no roller coasters, no trampolines or bouncy houses. So it kind of put a hold on everything for our family for about a year.”
On Oct. 31, 2024, Luke received his cervical spinal fusion surgery at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The procedure lasted 13 hours, and the UI medical staff made sure Luke felt special, since he was missing Halloween for the surgery.
According to Amy, the staff dressed up in Halloween costumes to give Luke the feeling he was included.
After the surgery, Amy and Joey didn’t see their son smile once for an entire week. That changed when Luke was introduced to one of the UI hospital’s facility dogs, Corrin.
“Luke especially fell in love with the facility dog, Corrin,” Amy said. “That has helped a lot, too. Corrin has gotten him out of bed to do OT and PT, and made it a lot more enjoyable.”
Whenever the family returns to Iowa City for an appointment, Corrin provides Luke with something to look forward to and makes the check-ups less scary for the 8-year-old. Amy and Joey are very honored to see Luke selected as a
Kid Captain, and Luke looks forward to being on the other side of the wave after the first quarter of Iowa’s game against Minnesota on Saturday.
“I feel happy, I feel special, and I’m happy I get to wave at the kids at the hospital,” Luke said.
Amy also said she and her family are grateful for the support the UI hospital staff and doctors have shown during Luke’s time in Iowa City.
“We have loved our experience in Iowa,” Amy said. “We feel like they [the staff] really take their time to get to know us, and our thoughts, our questions, and our opinions on stuff. We also really love how they work together as a team. It seems like all the major doctors know each other and they communicate and work together.”
Luke has many favorites, including four school subjects. He enjoys art, Spanish, math, and speech. His favorite colors are blue and orange.
The Johnstons hope their story can inspire other families in the children’s hospital who are going through similar battles.
Amy hopes this can be the message for everyone who hears Luke’s story:
“There’s a lot of people going through medical challenges, and you just don’t realize it at the time when you’re in the thick of it, and you just need to take it day by day, sometimes moment by moment, and try not to let it overwhelm you.”
Key moments against Penn State
Des Moines Register columnist Chad Leistikow said it best – Xavier Nwankpa had the game of his life in Saturday’s 25-24 win over Penn State.
Nwankpa tied a career-high with 10 total tackles and an interception against the Nittany Lions, resulting in him earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors.
Nwankpa is the first Hawkeye defender to earn the award since Aaron Graves did it in October of 2024.
The Pleasant Hill, Iowa, native has been a three-year starter for Iowa, and looks to keep his momentum going into a tough game against rival Minnesota this weekend.
Iowa trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter, but chipped the deficit down to just five by the end of the game. Needing a touchdown to win the game, Gronowski opened the drive with his long scramble, but the Hawkeyes were still eight yards away from the lead. Offensive coordinator Tim Lester dialed up a jet sweep to Wetjen, the reigning Jet Award recipient, who scampered around a pair of Nittany Lion defenders for the game-winning score.
Quarterback Mark Gronowski threw for just 68 yards against Penn State, but he made up for it in the running game. The senior rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first Hawkeye quarterback to do so since Butch Caldwell in 1973. Gronowski’s 68-yard scramble set up Kaden Wetjen’s game-winning touchdown on the next play.