PREGAME The Daily Iowan
Saturday, November 20 Iowa vs. Illinois Kinnick Stadium
GOING FOR TWO Kirk Ferentz hasn’t named a starting QB for this week, but all signs point to Alex Padilla making his second career start.
2 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
Iowa Starters
MARQUEE MATCHUP
WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR QB RB FB PK
6 84 79 64 65 77 56 89 8 15 38 10
Keagan Johnson Sam LaPorta Jack Plumb Kyler Schott Tyler Linderbaum Connor Colby Nick DeJong Nico Ragaini Alex Padilla Tyler Goodson Monte Pottebaum Caleb Shudak
6-1 6-4 6-7 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-8
197 249 296 294 290 298 292 191 197 199 246 178
FR. JR. JR. SR. JR. FR. SO. JR. SO. JR. JR. SR.
LE DT DT RE CASH MLB WLB LC SS FS RC P
92 99 85 97 4 31 44 8 26 28 33 9
John Waggoner Noah Shannon Logan Lee
6-5 6-0 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-4
266 289 277 267 205 243 229 185 211 204 194 231
JR. JR. SO. SR. JR. JR. JR. SR. JR. SR. SR. SO.
Zach VanValkenburg
Dane Belton Jack Campbell Seth Benson Matt Hankins
Kaevon Merriweather
Jack Koerner Riley Moss Tory Taylor
Illinois Starters
Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive tackle Lukas Van Ness attempts to sack Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty during a football game between Iowa and Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois, on Nov. 6. Iowa’s defensive front is going up against an Illinois team that relies heavily on its running game.
STAFF
Illinois runs the ball. I mean, Illinois runs the ball a lot. In the Illini’s last three games combined, they have thrown 50 passes. And quarterback Brandon Peters only attempted nine throws two weeks ago during Illinois’ most recent contest against Minnesota. In that same three-game stretch, the Illini have run 145 rushing plays. In their two upsets this season, a 14-6 win over Minnesota and an 18-16 defeat of Penn State, the Illini ran the ball 46 and 67 times, respectively. Some of those rushing attempts were sacks, but you get the point. Illinois sophomore Chase Brown gets the majority of the carries for Illinois. Brown, from London, Ontario, Canada, logged 55 total carries in Illinois’ upset wins and picked up a total of 370 yards on the ground
in those two games, averaging 6.7 yards per rush. A big part of slowing down Brown for Iowa this week will be winning the line of scrimmage. And that won’t be easy. Illinois’ five starting offensive linemen this week weigh an average of 308 pounds and stand at 6’4”. Every starter weighs 300 pounds or more. And the big guys are experienced too. All five of Illinois lineman have spent three or more seasons at Illinois. Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs knows his team and his defense is in for a battle on Saturday afternoon. “[Like Minnesota], it’ll be another tough, physical run game, so we’re going to have to come to play again,” Jacobs said. Read The Daily Iowan’s full scouting report at dailyiowan.com - Chris Werner, Sports Reporter.
Publisher Jason Brummond
Managing Editors Rylee Wilson, Josie Fischels
Business Manager Debbie Plath
Executive Editor Caleb McCullough
Managing Digital Editor Kelsey Harrell
Advertising Director Juli Krause
Pregame Editor Robert Read
Photo Editors Jerod Ringwald, Grace Smith
Production Manager Heidi Owen
Football Reporters Austin Hanson, Chloe Peterson, Chris Werner
DITV Sports Director Destinee Cook
Front design by Robert Read Front photo by Jerod Ringwald
Questions or comments for the Pregame staff? E-mail Pregame Editor Robert Read at robert-read@uiowa.edu.
QB RB WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT PK
18 2 11 14 13 82 79 72 65 63 54 17
Brandon Peters Chase Brown Carlos Sandy Casey Washington Pat Bryant Luke Ford Vederian Lowe Jack Badovinac Doug Kramer Alex Palczewski Julian Pearl James McCourt
6-5 5-11 5-9 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-1 6-2 6-6 6-6 6-1
230 205 185 190 195 260 320 300 305 315 310 215
SR. SO. SO. SO. FR. JR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SO. SR.
DL DL DL OLB ILB OLB CB CB S S S P
94 96 88 99 44 92 6 31 30 21 25 14
Jer’Zhan Newton Roderick Perry Keith Randolph Owen Carney Tarique Barnes Isaiah Gay Tony Adams Devin Witherspoon Sydney Brown Jartavius Martin Kerby Joseph Blake Hayes
6-2 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-6
290 315 270 275 230 245 205 180 200 195 200 225
FR. SR. SR. SR. SO. SR. SR. SO. JR. JR. JR. SR.
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021 - 3
4 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla throws a pass in a football game between Iowa and Northwestern at Ryan Field on Nov. 6. Padilla is likely making his second career start against Illinois on Saturday.
Getting to know Iowa QB Alex Padilla The third-year Hawkeye quarterback from Colorado could be making his second career start against Illinois on Saturday.
Robert Read Pregame Editor
Alex Padilla stood on the visitor’s sideline at Ryan Field on a brisk November night. The redshirt sophomore couldn’t help but overhear his name being discussed by the coaching
staff over the headset he wore as the backup quarterback. Iowa’s offense had just trotted off the grass field late in the first quarter of a Week 10 game against Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois. The game was still
scoreless. The Hawkeyes had already punted three times through their first three possessions. Spencer Petras, Iowa’s starter under center the last two years, didn’t look right. The pain from the shoulder injury he sustained a week prior
against Wisconsin was still lingering. Head coach Kirk Ferentz and the rest of Iowa’s coaching staff noticed and discussed their options over their headsets. They came to a consensus: Padilla was going into the game in a
road primetime matchup against a division rival. Padilla frantically looked for his helmet. He started warming up his arm by throwing a couple passes near the bench. Alison and Mike Padilla, Alex’s parents, sat a couple yards away,
donning Hawkeye apparel in the bleachers. They hadn’t planned on traveling from Colorado to watch the game. But when they heard Alex might play, they changed their plans. With Petras hurt, Padilla had been taking first-team
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021 - 5
reps in practice earlier in the week. He was prepared to go into the game, if needed. But he is always prepared for that. “My job is to prepare like a starter every week,” Padilla said after the Northwestern game. “And I’ve been doing that over the course of the season. I just had to be ready for my opportunity, and that came today.” The opportunities have kept coming since then. And another one could be coming on Saturday.
A little help from his friend A light snow flurry started to roam through Kinnick Stadium as the final seconds of Iowa’s 27-22 win over Minnesota last weekend ticked off the scoreboards. Padilla had just accounted for three touchdowns while leading the Hawkeyes to a win in his first collegiate
start. The Hawkeye Victory Polka could be heard from the south end zone. Across the field, Padilla stood in front of offensive lineman Kyler Schott and defensive end Joe Evans as they hoisted the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. But Padilla wasn’t the only quarterback celebrating. Petras was in full uniform and was medically cleared but wasn’t considered to be healthy enough to throw effectively. Right as the game ended, Petras jogged to midfield for postgame handshakes. Then, the starting quarterback for Iowa’s first nine games of the season took off his red stocking cap — the one that backup quarterbacks wear on the sideline. He smiled. After briefly glancing at the Hawkeye fans high-fiving and taking pictures in the grandstands, Petras sprinted to Floyd. And as
he escorted the 98-pound bronze trophy to the home locker room with the rest of his teammates, he didn’t look like you might assume a player would after sitting on the bench for almost two games. Petras is out of the limelight after 17 consecutive starts for the Hawkeyes. The redshirt junior might never get the job back. But he hasn’t stood in the way of helping Padilla succeed in his absence. He’s been his biggest supporter. “He really rallied around me,” Padilla said of Petras. “This is kind of my first real action as a player here at Iowa. He was being supportive and giving me a whole bunch of tips. He’s a great player, a great teammate. I’m with him more than anyone else. Big thanks to him.” Padilla said Petras has been vital to his success
while leading the Hawkeyes in seven quarters of action this season. While Padilla went 18-of28 passing for 172 yards in relief against Northwestern, Petras was offering play suggestions and helping to break down the Wildcat defense. Leading up to Padilla’s first start against Minnesota, Petras provided some pertinent advice. “Rip it,” Padilla recalls Petras saying. That’s what he did. Padilla finished 11-of-24 passing for 206 yards in his first start. The even-keeled quarterback ran for a score and threw two touchdowns, including a 72-yarder to Charlie Jones in the third quarter that had his parents jumping in the stands. “Like everybody else, you’re excited to see him play,” Mike Padilla said. “You get a little anxious and nervous, kind of the whole
gamut of emotions. There’s some relief when the game is done and the team has won, because that’s what it is all about. It’s been a blast so far. We’re just grateful to see him get an opportunity to play.” It was Iowa’s first 200-yard passing game since Oct. 1, and Padilla’s 18.7 yards per completion was the best mark for an Iowa quarterback in a game since 2011. Even after Padilla’s standout performance, freshman wide receiver Keagan Johnson couldn’t help but interrupt his own postgame press conference to credit Petras. “A great leader on the sidelines,” Johnson said. “Just a great teammate.” Padilla said his friendship with Petras was already strong before he started to see the field. They spend most hours of the day together at practice, in the quarterbacks room, or taking a trip to Dairy Queen together. Their friendship was already apparent. During the MLB playoffs in October, Padilla — a Los Angeles Dodgers fan since his father is from LA — posted a photo of Petras — a San Francisco Giants fan since he is from the Bay Area — wearing Dodgers gear after they beat the Giants. It’s a friendship that started in 2018, when Petras hosted Padilla on his recruiting visit. And that friendship has flourished in recent weeks, as has the one between their families. “We were Spencer’s biggest fans while he was playing and they’ve been that to Alex too,” Mike Padilla said of Petras’ parents. “They’ve congratulated [Alex] on his success the past couple
weeks. That’s all you can do. It’s a tough position. Only one guy can play at a time. Injuries are part of it. Sometimes you have to wait for your opportunities, and sometimes your opportunities drop in your lap, and you’ve got to run with them. “They’re great friends and I think they will be for a long time. They get each other. Spencer is a great kid.”
Sticking with Iowa There’s one factor about Padilla that is unique compared to every other player on the 2021 Hawkeye roster: He is from Colorado. “Coming from Colorado, it’s not really known as a big football state in terms of recruiting,” Padilla said. “But myself and a lot of other guys have shown that it is possible. Putting Colorado on the map is really good.” Iowa doesn’t have a history of recruiting the Centennial State to find players. But quarterbacks are an exception. While the Hawkeyes may favor the Midwest and select states throughout the country to fill out most of its recruiting classes, quarterbacks coach Ken O’Keefe will search nationwide to find a quarterback he considers the right fit for the Hawkeyes. Petras, in the recruiting class above Padilla, is from California. Deuce Hogan, the quarterback in the class below him, is from Texas. For the program’s 2019 class, O’Keefe and the Hawkeyes found the quarterback they wanted in a three-star, prostyle prospect out of Greenwood Village. PADILLA | Page 6
6 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
PADILLA
Continued from Page 5 “We don’t do a lot in Colorado,” Ferentz said. “Haven’t had a lot of success there … In Alex’s case, it just seemed to work out. It kind of meshed.” Iowa contacted Padilla during the summer between his junior and senior years of high school. At the time, he was coming off of a first-team allstate junior season, where he was also named his conference’s Comeback Player of the Year after suffering a broken thumb as a sophomore. Mike Padilla, a former center at Colorado State, said most of his son’s recruiting attention didn’t start until after his junior year of high school. Schools were interested after Alex’s sophomore year before the injury, per his father, but wanted to see more of what he could do out on the field. Mountain West and Ivy league programs made up most of Padilla’s early scholarship offers. But Padilla wanted a shot at joining a Power Five program. Then the Hawkeyes came calling. “When you think of Iowa, you think of a good, strong, Big Ten football team, Mike Padilla said.” Within days of the Hawkeyes reaching out, Padilla was in Iowa City taking part in one of the program’s summer camps. Ferentz and O’Keefe, having already liked what they saw on film, got the chance to meet Padilla and see him throw in-person. Padilla also recalled a whiteboard session with O’Keefe, where
he was tested on offensive personnel, defensive schemes, and other aspects of his football knowledge. He passed. Iowa offered Padilla soon after that camp on June 11, 2018. Three days later, Padilla committed to the Hawkeyes. Within a week, Padilla was back in Iowa City on an official visit. Padilla started his first high school game at 14 years old. By the end of his high school career, he was a two-time all-state player and set Cherry Creek High School records for passing yards and touchdowns. In the middle of Padilla’s senior season, Georgia — the current No. 1 team in the nation — somewhat surprisingly offered him a scholarship before he planned to sign with Iowa. “It was a flattering offer, and he spoke to them more out of curiosity,” Mike Padilla said. “It’s a big school, a higher-echelon school. It might have been intriguing, but he didn’t see it as a great fit. He was committed to Iowa, and I think that stayed pretty firm. There was never a point where he wavered on that. I think he knew Iowa was going to be a better fit, and he was pretty comfortable with that.” “Won’t be visiting there,” Alex Padilla said to Hawkeye Report at the time about his Georgia offer. “[I’m] done with recruiting.”
How the Hawkeyes will move forward Petras is fully healthy after his shoulder injury and has practiced ahead of Iowa’s 1 p.m. home game against Illinois on Saturday. But he’s done so with the
second-team offense. For the second week in a row, Padilla is listed as Iowa’s starting quarterback on its two-deep depth chart. But Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday no decision has been made — or at least, it hasn’t been announced — as to which player will start against the Illini. Brian Ferentz reiterated that point on Wednesday. “It was an easy decision two weeks ago because [Petras] really couldn’t go,” Brian Ferentz said on a Zoom conference. “It was an easy decision last week because he couldn’t go then, either. Now, you fast forward to this week where I think he’s looked pretty good throwing the ball and moving around — and he’s certainly back to health — it makes it challenging. “Either guy could start on Saturday.” In 23 years as Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz has rarely made a midseason change at starting quarterback. Kyle McCann to Brad Banks in 2001, Jake Christensen to Ricky Stanzi in 2008, and Jake Rudock to C.J. Beathard in 2014 are the exceptions. Padilla took over a 6-2 Iowa team that had lost back-to-back games by double-digits, and an offense that only managed to score 14 points across those two losses and ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten. Immediately after jogging into the huddle against the Wildcats, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound quarterback commanded Iowa on two touchdown drives in a 1712 win over Northwestern. He followed that up with a three-touchdown performance against Minnesota in his first collegiate start
last weekend. Iowa is now 8-2 on the season. Brian Ferentz commended Padilla’s command of the offense and said the Hawkeyes have tried to take advantage of his mobility by calling rollouts, sprintouts, and naked bootlegs. The fifth-year offensive coordinator also praised Padilla’s ability to avoid mistakes while leading the offense. Padilla has yet to turn the ball over this season. Padilla has helped build his resume while leading the first-team offense this season, Ferentz said, while also pointing out that Petras already has a strong resume. The Hawkeye coaching staff seems pleased to have two options to go with
at quarterback on Saturdays. “When you look at the body of work and the immediacy, I think you have to go with what you’re seeing right now,” Brian Ferentz said. “That being said, no final decisions have been made … We feel really confident with both guys.” Both Ferentzs have said that no decision has been made yet, but signs point to Padilla making his second start. Between Padilla being at the top of the depth chart and Petras taking second-team practice reps this week, No. 8 seems likely to jog onto the field and into the huddle to open the game against the Fighting Illini. But Padilla isn’t fo-
cused on that right now. And it doesn’t really matter to him. Padilla is always prepared to start, even when he wasn’t expected to. “There hasn’t been too much of a discussion about it,” Padilla said when asked about starting this week. “Our thought process as an entire team is that your job is never solidified. You have to come in and work every day. Spencer and I have been doing that. We’re going to be supportive of each other no matter who is on the field. There’s no looking over the shoulder. We’re both focused on working hard every day and pushing our team forward however we can.” robert-read@uiowa.edu
Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla throws a pass during a football game between Iowa and Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Nov. 13.
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021 - 7
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8 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
IOWA HAWKEYES vs. ILL
0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 21 21 22 23 25 25 26 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 32 32 33 34 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40
Diante Vines Aaron Blom Nolan Donald Ryan Gersonde Deuce Hogan Cooper DeJean Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Dane Belton Leshon Williams Jestin Jacobs Joey Labas Keagan Johnson Reggie Bracy Spencer Petras Matt Hankins Alex Padilla Tory Taylor Arland Bruce IV Caleb Shudak AJ Lawson Jaxon Rexroth Joe Evans Henry Marchese Brody Brecht Dallas Craddieth Tyler Goodson Jamison Heinz Charlie Jones Brenden Deasfernandes Max White Austin Spiewak Alec Wick Gaven Cooke Max Cooper Deavin Hilson Thomas Hartlieb Ivory Kelly-Martin Terry Roberts Xavior Williams Kelby Telander Gavin Williams Kaevon Merriweather Jermari Harris Jack Johnson Jack Koerner Sebastian Castro Jackson Ritter Quinn Schulte Jack Campbell Eli Miller Johnny Plewa Riley Moss Zach Brand Jay Higgins Justice Sullivan Mike Timm Kyler Fisher Monte Pottebaum Eric Epenesa Turner Pallissard Josef Smith
WR K WR P QB DB WR DB RB LB QB WR DB QB DB QB P WR K DB DB DE DB WR DB RB DB WR DB RB LS WR DB WR RB DB RB DB DB LB RB DB DB WR DB DB WR DB LB LB FB DB RB LB LB LB DB FB LB FB LB
6-0 5-11 5-9 6-4 6-4 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-1 6-4 5-10 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-3
IOWA
193 190 194 197 212 203 201 205 205 236 194 197 206 233 185 197 231 193 178 192 193 248 199 205 205 199 205 188 189 187 237 180 189 191 192 195 200 180 192 208 211 211 185 193 204 204 214 201 243 212 235 194 198 227 233 233 225 246 189 245 221
#Fr #Fr Soph Sr #Fr Fr Jr Jr #Fr Soph Fr Fr Soph Jr Sr Soph Soph Fr Sr #Fr Fr Jr Sr Fr Jr Jr #Fr Sr #Fr Fr Sr Fr Fr Sr Fr Soph Sr Jr Sr Fr #Fr Jr Soph #Fr Sr Soph Soph Soph Jr Fr Soph Sr Fr Soph Fr Jr Soph Jr Fr Jr #Fr
Danbury, CT Oskaloosa, IA Morton, IL Milwaukee, WI Southlake, TX Odebolt, IA Indianapolis, IN Tampa, FL Chicago, IL Englewood, OH Brecksville, OH Bellevue, NE Mobile, AL San Rafael, CA Lewisville, TX Greenwood Village, CO Melbourne, Australia Olathe, KS Council Bluffs, IA Decatur, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Ames, IA Vernon Hills, IL Ankeny, IA St. Louis, MO Suwanee, GA Humboldt, IA Deerfield, IL Belleville, MI Cedar Rapids, IA Rolling Meadows, IL Iowa City, IA Kentfield, CA Waukesha, WI Des Moines, IA Madison, WI Plainfield, IL Erie, PA Burlington, IA North Liberty, IA Altoona, IA Belleville, MI Chicago, IL West Des Moines, IA Des Moines, IA Oak Lawn, IL Frankfort, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Falls, IA Sedalia, CO Franklin, WI Ankeny, IA Grimes, IA Indianapolis, IN Eden Prairie, MN Delafield, WI Farnhamville, IA Larchwood, IA Glen Carbon, IL Frankfort, IL Britt, IA
41 42 42 43 44 44 45 45 46 47 48 48 49 49 50 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 63 64 65 66 67 69 70 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 85 86 86 87 88 88 89 91 92 94 95 96 97 97 98 99
Jaden Harrell Denin Limouris Zach Twedt Karson Sharar Seth Benson Luke Elkin Deontae Craig Nick Phelps Logan Klemp Wyatt Wegener Max Llewellyn Bryce Schulte Ethan Hurkett Andrew Lentsch Zach Kluver Louie Stec Jeremiah Pittman Asher Fahey Michael Myslinski Matt Fagan Luke Empen Nick DeJong Clayton Thurm Taylor Fox Griffin Liddle Justin Britt Kyler Schott Tyler Linderbaum Jeremy Chaplin Gennings Dunker Tyler Endres Beau Stephens Cody Ince David Davidkov Josh Volk Tyler Elsbury Connor Colby Mason Richman Jack Plumb Brennan Sweeney Desmond Hutson Johnny Pascuzzi Jameson Witte Sam LaPorta Luke Lachey Logan Lee Jeff Bowie Tommy Kujawa Elijah Yelverton Isaiah Bruce Jackson Frericks Nico Ragaini Lukas Van Ness John Waggoner Yahya Black Logan Jones Lucas Amaya Liam Reardon Zach VanValkenburg Chris Reames Noah Shannon
LB TE/FB LB LB LB LS DL P LB LB DL TE DL TE LS DT DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DE WR TE DL TE TE DL DL TE TE DL TE WR DL DL DL DL K LS DL DL DL
6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-6 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-7 6-0
231 227 229 201 229 200 263 205 234 212 232 245 261 227 199 264 303 281 278 287 289 292 281 290 267 302 294 290 268 291 295 300 282 286 308 301 298 296 296 243 208 224 265 249 248 277 268 236 248 281 229 191 264 266 287 282 207 218 267 270 289
Fr Fr Fr Fr Jr Fr #Fr Jr Jr #Fr Fr Sr #Fr Fr Soph Soph Fr #Fr Fr Jr Jr Soph Soph Soph Fr Soph Sr Jr Fr Fr Soph Fr Jr Fr #Fr #Fr Fr #Fr Jr Fr Soph Fr #Fr Jr #Fr Soph Fr Sr #Fr #Fr Soph Jr #Fr Jr #Fr #Fr Soph #Fr Sr Soph Jr
Urbandale, IA Glen Ellyn, IL Story City, IA Iowa Falls, IA Sioux Falls, SD Neenah, WI Fort Wayne, IN Kingsley, IA Jewell, IA Algona, IA Urbandale, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Rapids, IA West Des Moines, IA Ankeny, IA LaGrange Park, IL Palatine, IL Waukon, IA Jacksonville, FL Council Bluffs, IA Clinton, IA Pella, IA Williamsburg, IA Winthrop, IA Bettendorf, IA Indianapolis, IN Coggon, IA Solon, IA Waverly, IA Lena, IA Norwalk, IA Blue Springs, MO Luck, WI Glenview, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Byron, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Leawood, KS Green Bay, WI Waukon, IA Raytown, MO Olathe, KS O’Fallon, MO Highland, IL Columbus, OH Orion, IL West Branch, IA Greendale, WI Royse City, TX Lena, IL Cedar Falls, IA East Haven, CT Barrington, IL Des Moines, IA Marshall, MN Council Bluffs, IA Muskego, WI Chicago, IL Zeeland, MI Van Meter, IA Aurora, IL
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021 - 9
LINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 24 25 26 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 37 38
Josh McCray Isaiah Williams Kionte Curry Chase Brown Daniel Edwards Jakari Norwood DD Snyder II Khmari Thompson Calvin Hart Jr. Caleb Griffin Deuce Spann Tony Adams Brian Hightower Kendall Smith Jafar Armstrong Eddie Smith Artur Sitkowski Coran Taylor Desmond Dan Jr. Tahveon Nicholson Carlos Sandy Matt Robinson Pat Bryant Casey Washington Blake Hayes Ty Lindenman Prince Green Samari Collier Ryan Johnson James McCourt Brandon Peters Dalevon Campbell Hugh Robertson Tyler Strain Jartavius Martin Chase Hayden Dylan Thomas Reggie Love III Nick Fedanzo Prather Hudson Kerby Joseph Mike Epstein DJ Johnson Matthew Bobak Mike Manning Dylan Rosiek Christian Bobak Sydney Brown Devon Witherspoon Tailon Leitzsey Ezekiel Holmes Ryan Meed Jake Hansen Ben Schultz Lane Hansen Jaden Jones-Watkins Isaac Darkangelo
RB WR DB RB DB RB DB WR LB K WR DB WR DB WR DB QB DB WR DB WR QB WR WR P WR DB QB QB K QB WR P DB DB RB DB RB RB DB DB RB LB RB DB LB DB DB DB DB LB LB LB LB LS DB LB
6-1 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-5 6-2 6-3 5-11 5-9 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-6 5-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-2 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-4 5-11 5-8 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-5 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1
ILLINOIS 240 180 195 205 160 185 175 210 230 225 195 205 215 200 220 200 225 200 195 175 185 190 195 190 225 165 205 230 200 215 230 215 225 175 195 205 190 195 205 200 200 205 225 190 190 215 195 205 180 185 244 225 235 230 220 185 235
Fr #Fr Fr Soph Fr Soph Fr Soph Soph Soph #Fr Sr Jr Sr Jr Soph Soph Soph Sr #Fr Soph Soph Fr Soph Sr #Fr Fr Fr Jr Sr Sr Soph #Fr Fr Jr Jr Soph #Fr #Fr Jr Jr Jr Fr #Fr Soph Fr Sr Jr Soph Sr Soph #Fr Sr #Fr Fr Soph Jr
Enterprise, AL St. Louis, MO Mims, FL London, Canada Winter Park, FL Pompano Beach, FL Tampa, FL Lawrenceville, GA Fort Lauderdale, FL Danville, IL St. Petersburg, FL Belleville, IL Leimert Park, CA Bolingbrook, IL Lee's Summit, MO Slidell, LA Old Bridge, NJ Peoria, IL Muskogee, OK Jacksonville, FL Dania Beach, FL San Clemente, CA Jacksonville, FL Pflugerville, TX Melbourne, Australia Shawnee, KS Griffin, GA DeSoto, TX Green Bay, WI Parkland, FL Avon, IN Missouri City, TX Castlemaine, Australia Fort Worth, TX Lehigh Acres, FL Memphis, TN Monticello, IL St. Louis, MO Lombard, IL Columbus, GA Orlando, FL Ft. Lauderdale, FL Snellville, GA Hinsdale, IL Frankfort, IL East Lake, FL Hinsdale, IL London, Canada Pensacola, FL Laurel, MD Wichita Falls, TX Brooklyn, NY Tarpon Springs, FL Champaign, IL East Lake, FL Fisher, IL Brighton, MI
39 39 40 40 41 41 42 42 43 43 44 45 46 48 48 49 49 51 52 53 54 54 55 55 56 57 59 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 75 79 80 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 96 98 99
Kenenna Odeluga Aidan Hall Lucas Althaus Shammond Cooper Preston Engel Joriell Washington Michael Marchese Luke Zardzin Griffin Moore Marko Rajkovic Tarique Barnes Khalan Tolson Alec McEachern Mike Cerniglia Jr. Bryce Barnes Max Rosenthal Seth Coleman Sean Coghlan Verdis Brown Devin Hale Julian Pearl Kalen Villanueva Blake Jeresaty Sed McConnell Ethan Tabel Evan Kirts Josh Plohr Terry Zapf Alex Palczewski Josh Kreutz Doug Kramer Jordyn Slaughter Brody Wisecarver Zachary Barlev Moses Okpala Tommy Cronin Jack Badovinac Josh Gesky Alex Pihlstrom Vederian Lowe Peyton Vining Luke Ford Keion Battle Owen Hickey Miles Scott Donny Navarro III Daniel Barker Keith Randolph Jr. Tip Reiman Alec Bryant Jamal Woods Isaiah Gay Calvin Avery Jer'Zhan Newton Roderick Perry II Deon Pate Owen Carney Jr.
LB LS TE LB TE DB TE LB TE LB LB LB LB TE LB TE LB LB DL OL OL LB OL DL LS OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR TE WR WR WR WR TE DL TE LB DL LB DL DL DL DL LB
6-1 6-2 6-6 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-2 6-6 6-1 6-2 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3
225 205 230 220 250 200 235 205 245 230 230 235 225 240 255 260 235 220 345 310 310 210 305 280 230 300 300 310 315 280 305 320 300 300 295 305 300 300 300 320 200 260 190 180 190 185 250 300 250 240 290 245 335 290 315 265 275
Fr #Fr Fr #Fr Soph Fr Sr Fr #Fr Fr Soph Jr Jr Fr Soph Sr #Fr Jr Soph Fr Soph Fr Sr Fr Sr #Fr #Fr Soph Sr Fr Sr Soph Fr Fr #Fr #Fr Sr Fr Jr Sr Jr Jr #Fr #Fr Fr Jr Jr #Fr #Fr #Fr Sr Sr Jr #Fr Sr Jr Sr
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10 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
Who will win the Big Ten West?
DI Pregame Editor Robert Read and Sports Editor Austin Hanson debate whether Wisconsin or Iowa will win the division. Robert Read Pregame Editor
Wisconsin What once seemed so secure is now so out of reach. I’m referring, of course, to Read Iowa’s chances of winning the Big Ten West this season. The Hawkeyes started the season 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference. The division title that has eluded the program since 2015 seemed to finally be here, especially with Wisconsin only 3-3 at the time. That was actually an improvement from the Badgers’ 1-3 start. But now, with Iowa and Wisconsin both having 5-2 conference records — and the Badgers having won the head-to-head matchup between the teams — it seems like Iowa will just miss out on winning the West. Again. Wisconsin controls its own destiny to reach Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game for the fourth time in six years. The
Badgers simply need to beat Nebraska and Minnesota over the next two weeks and they would be division champions. The Hawkeyes would need to win their next two games and hope for a Badger slip-up to win the West. Nebraska is better than its record, and Minnesota put up a good fight against Iowa, but I’d still pick Wisconsin in both of those games. The Badgers have a 75.8 percent chance to win the West, per simulations run by The Athletic’s Austin Mock. Iowa’s chances? Only 18.8 percent. Wisconsin is heating up at the perfect time of the season. As far as Iowa? The Hawkeyes are playing better than what we saw during their two-game losing streak. But that’s not saying much. And even if Iowa does blow out Illinois and Nebraska (both teams that could give the Hawkeyes a sneaky good game), that won’t really matter if Wisconsin doesn’t lose. And I don’t think the Badgers are going to.
Austin Hanson Sports Editor
Iowa
Odds are, Iowa football probably won’t win the Big Ten West Division this year. Hanson Yes, the Hawkeyes are tied with Wisconsin for first in the West. But, one of these 5-2 teams isn’t like the other. Wisconsin beat Iowa head-to-head, 277, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison Oct. 30. As a result, the Badgers hold a tiebreaker over Iowa. If Iowa and Wisconsin have identical records at the end of the year, the Badgers will go to the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Dec. 4. Despite the Hawkeyes’ slim chances, Iowa fans shouldn’t count their team out of Big Ten West title contention just yet. This year of college football has been crazy and unusual. After all, Iowa was once robert-read@uiowa.edu
ranked No. 2. And Penn State was a topfour team. Remember that whack game in October? Good times. If Iowa can rise as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, then Wisconsin can certainly lose one of its last two games. Sure, the Badgers will be favored to defeat both the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. But upsets happen. Iowa football was favored against Purdue way back on Oct. 16. Given all that’s happened this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Iowa wins its last two games against Illinois and Nebraska, Wisconsin loses one of its final contests, and the Hawkeyes make the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis. Get your tickets and hotel rooms now, Iowa fans. The Hawkeyes are going to the Big Ten Championship Game Dec. 4.
austin-hanson@uiowa.edu
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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021 - 11
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12 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
WITH IOWA QUARTERBACK SPENCER PETRAS Daily Iowan Sports Editor Austin Hanson chatted with Petras at an Iowa football media availability session on Nov. 2. Austin Hanson Sports Editor
terback, I’ll go and do that. That sounds like a fun life. I mean, you know the multiverse theory. If the universe is infinite and ever-expanding, maybe there’s a version of me playing guitar somewhere.
The Daily Iowan: So, we’ve asked all your teammates that we’ve talked to this question: What’s the difference between Iowa corn and Nebraska corn? You moved from California to Iowa. Have you picked up on the difference yet?
DI: Your dad is a doctor, right?
Spencer Petras: I’ve never stooped low enough to go to Nebraska and eat Nebraska corn. So, I can’t speak to it. I just know Iowa has the best corn.
Petras: Yes. DI: Was there ever any pressure from him like, “Spencer, you gotta be a doctor?”
DI: If you had to pick one or the other, black or gold? Petras: Probably black. Just because, you know, I think gold as a stand-alone color, isn’t great. It looks great with black and gold. Whereas black, you can mix any color with black and it looks good. DI: So, my max bench press is 200 pounds. Do you think I can throw the football farther than you? Petras: No, I don’t. I don’t know if bench press is necessarily a great measure of how far you can throw a football because my bench isn’t that good. It’s better than yours. But it’s not great. I can throw the football pretty far. I don’t even know what muscles go into
Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras looks to pass during a football game between No. 19 Iowa and Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois, on Nov. 6. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wildcats 17-12. throwing a football, but I don’t think the chest is big.
Petras: You’ve heard that song, right?
word. I don’t know. Retrospective? Introspective? It doesn’t matter. Kansas. “Dust in the Wind.” That’s my sad song.
DI: We’ve also been asking everybody this question: Do you have a go-to song you listen to when you’re sad? Do you ever just go, “Wow, I need to be in my feelings right now?”
Petras: What’s the word I’m looking for? Sheesh. It like, makes you think about life in a really deep way.
DI: Do you have a favorite restaurant in Iowa City and are you NIL-obligated to say that it’s Estela’s Fresh Mex?
Petras: Yeah, “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas.
DI: Retrospective? Introspective?
Petras: Well, Estela’s is my favorite Mexican place in town. I really like Konomi Grill in Coralville. I’ve been
DI: Oh, OK.
DI: Yeah, absolutely.
Petras: That is a fitting
going there a lot recently. I really like Stella. I really like the Chop House. I really like Monica’s. DI: Do you think there’s an alternate timeline where Spencer Petras is a guitar-playing guy that goes from bar to bar and just chills out in California and doesn’t play quarterback? Petras: Well, maybe after I’m finished playing quar-
Petras: No, I think he wanted me to be more academically inclined than I am, maybe. Like, I think, at first, when I told him I wanted to play football, he told me I had to get straight A’s in school if I wanted to play football. I didn’t come close to that. I don’t even know if I got a single A that year. He saw me play, and I think he kinda realized that, as long as I’m passionate about something and work hard, that he’s happy. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy. But it definitely is interesting, the difference in people. You know, me and my dad. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Read the full interview at dailyiowan.com.
austin-hanson@uiowa.edu
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021 - 13
Remember when Indiana was actually good? Me neither. CHLOE PETERSON
chloe-peterson@uiowa.edu
1 2
ohio state
8
PURDUE
michigan
9
MARYLAND
All roads lead back to Ohio State on top.
Head-to-heads don’t matter anymore.
Maybe Tyrone Tracy can take David Bell’s spot when he goes to the NFL.
Go home, basketball school.
3
michigan state
10 RUTGERS
4
wisconsin
11
Don’t worry, Sparty. You’re still at least somewhat good.
The people want Danny Vanden Boom. Give us Danny Vanden Boom.
5
IOWA
6
MINNESOTA
7
The Hawkeyes were good until they weren’t.
Pigs fare better in Iowa, anyway.
PENN STATE
Penn State and Illinois have identical conference records. I don’t like that.
I still forget that Rutgers is even in this conference.
Illinois
The Illini forget that Rutgers is even in this conference.
12 NEBRASKA
The best team that never actually wins a game.
13 14
NORTHWESTERN I am once again asking for the Wildcats to defend the run.
INDIANA
The Hoosiers girlbossed a bit too close to the sun and now they have an 0-7 B1G record.
No. 7 MICHIGAN STATE @ No. 4 OHIO STATE
ILLINOIS @ No. 17 IOWA
Saturday | 11 a.m.
Saturday | 1 p.m.
Line: OSU -19.0 | O/U: 66.5
Line: IOWA -12.0 | O/U: 38.5
Just about the only Big Ten football game worth watching this weekend.
Death, taxes, and Iowa’s over/under being fewer than 40 points.
PURDUE @ NORTHWESTERN
No. 6 MICHIGAN @ MARYLAND
Saturday | 11 a.m.
Saturday | 2:30 p.m.
Line: PUR -12.0 | O/U: 48.5
Line: MICH -15.0 | O/U: 56
The Wildcats and Boilermakers are playing on a baseball field, and the game is on ... the regional version of BTN.
I have no feelings about this game.
RUTGERS @ PENN STATE
NEBRASKA @ No. 15 WISCONSIN
Saturday | 11 a.m.
Saturday | 2:30 p.m.
Line: PSU -17.0 | O/U: 47
Line: WISC -9.5 | O/U: 42
I tried to think of a good one-liner for this, but then I couldn’t ~muster~ one.
The only time the Huskers are on a national network is when they’re about to be blown out by an actual good team.
MINNESOTA @ INDIANA
Saturday | 2:30 p.m. |
Line: MINN -7.0 | O/U: 43.5
Five dollar tickets! Get your Big Ten football five dollar tickets here!
14 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
ROBERT READ
PREGAME EDITOR (29-21)
IOWA
VS.
Let Bielema Zoomcoach from the sideline.
VS.
MSU will be ranked above the Wolverines after this loss.
OHIO STATE
IOWA STATE
VS.
The Cyclones, for whatever reason, are good at beating the Sooners.
VS.
How much does Gary Barta want the Bearcats to lose?
VS.
Utah beat Stanford, 52-7. Standford beat Oregon earlier this season.
CINCINNATI UTAH
AUSTIN HANSON SPORTS EDITOR (33-17)
IOWA
Iowa’s wheelin’ and Padealin’ now.
OHIO STATE
Michigan State and Iowa both have Purdue disease.
IOWA STATE
How does Iowa State always win this game?
CINCINNATI
I still don’t think the Bearcats belong in the CFP.
UTAH
At least these teams are in the ~alliance~.
CHLOE PETERSON
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR (27-23)
IOWA
I’d love to be in Hlastrodamus but Illinois would be a stupid pick.
OHIO STATE
I could’ve gone to a top-five FB school, but I picked ~corn~ instead.
IOWA STATE
Oklahoma’s midseason tailspin starts now.
CINCINNATI
I saw a bear in the woods once.
OREGON
Sedona Prince sighting except it’s in Utah, and it’s football.
CHRIS WERNER
FOOTBALL REPORTER (25-25)
IOWA
Padilla is undefeated as a starter.
OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes still run the conference.
OKLAHOMA
DESTINEE COOK
IOWA
Idc how they win at this point.
OHIO STATE
They beat Purdue. Good for them.
IOWA STATE
How does Iowa State have four losses? Lol.
Bye boomer (I’m still a Caleb Williams fan despite last weekend).
CINCINNATI
CINCINNATI
Again, shout out Shivansh.
Oregon.
This game is on too late for me.
JOHN BOHNENKAMP
DITV SPORTS DIRECTOR (28-22) SPORTS WRITING COACH (31-19)
I’m sorry for the disrespect you’ve been through this season.
OREGON
I’ll never forget Oregon lost to Stanford this season.
IOWA
Hawkeyes go out winners at home.
OHIO STATE
Buckeyes are clearly the best in the East.
OKLAHOMA
Cyclones could end the season with five losses.
CINCINNATI
Still trying to make a playoff case.
OREGON
A Ducks’ road win helps the CFP cause.
JASON BRUMMOND PUBLISHER (33-17)
IOWA
Iowa hasn’t lost to Illinois in Kinnick since ‘99.
OHIO STATE
Sparty, it was fun while it lasted.
OKLAHOMA
Ames’ greatest team is in trouble.
CINCINNATI
“Set aside watching the games,” what more can Cincy do?
UTAH
Pac-12 chaos is the best chaos.
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021 - 15
New Hawkeye fan excited to be Kid Captian First nominated when she was 12, Brandi Gloeckner has waited three years to be a Kid Captain. Brandi is a cancer survivor who has been through many surgeries and is currently battling stage five kidney failure. Emily Delgado News Reporter Brandi Gloeckner is an avid sports fan, but she has never attended a Hawkeye football game. That will change on Saturday afternoon. Brandi, a high school sophomore, will act as the Iowa football team’s Kid Captain for the Hawkeyes’ Week 12 game against Illinois at Kinnick Stadium. For her, the mid-November timing couldn’t have been better. “I like the cold,” Brandi said. “Yeah, it’s gonna be nice and cold. Hopefully it snows.” Brandi and her parents, Cindy and Bryan, currently reside in Eastern Iowa. Coming from a family of Hawkeye fans, the Gloeckners have received positive reactions for Brandi being a Kid Captain. Brandi was supposed to be a Kid Captain last year, but her captaincy was delayed to this fall because of COVID-19. In 2016, her parents knew something was wrong when Brandi complained about pains in her left leg. After visiting a local doctor, they discovered that Brandi had a tumor in her left leg. “It’s been a godsend that we’ve had that hospital so close, and the kind of professionalism and care that University of Iowa Hospitals take,” Bryan said. Brandi first visited the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital in 2017, a year after her tumor was discovered,
Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Fans participate in the wave toward the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital during a football game between Iowa and Kent State at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 18. and was there for a day before she was discharged. “Unfortunately, we’ve been there or she’s been there quite a bit since,” Cindy said. She underwent six weeks of chemotherapy for the bone tumor alongside a surgery where her fibula and a nerve was removed from her left leg as well as her tumor. By February 2017, Brandi was done with her chemotherapy.
“We absolutely have faith in this team of medical doctors and professionals and nurses to take care of her,” Bryan said. Months after finishing her chemotherapy, Brandi broke her leg and noticed that it wasn’t healing. She went to a hospital where she was diagnosed with bronchitis and given an inhaler, but wasn’t feeling better. “So, they took me into the
actual hospital, to which they diagnosed me with chemotherapy induced heart failure,” Brandi said. “And they did an emergency surgery. And they put in an LVAD, which is a left ventricular assist device, which basically kind of pumps your blood out for you.” On top of this, Brandi’s nose was cauterized, which resulted in interior burns. Doctors also found that her legs were dif-
ferent lengths, which required screws to be put in to stop further growth in one of her legs. In February 2020, Brandi was put on the heart transplant list and received a heart a week after being put on the list. “It was amazing,” Bryan said. “We couldn’t believe it. To be honest with you. It was just stunning. We were kind of preparing ourselves for up to a year.”
Brandi has been receiving all her heart-related care at the Stead Family Hospital. Two weeks ago, Brandi was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure. Doctors are currently trying to get her on the kidney transplant list but first she must undergo dialysis. Brandi has three older siblings, all of whom are in college, leaving her with her parents at home. When told that they seem very close, Brandi responded with a sarcastic, “I get sick of them,” to which her parents responded with a burst of laughter. “I think she makes us laugh just about every day,” Bryan said. The Gloeckners’ have spent much of their time with Brandi and have seen the struggles and challenges that she has endured. “The challenges that these kids have to go through, you know, these football players and the fans, they get to come out and watch a football game, when these kids that are Kid Captains have had a lot of challenges in their life,” Bryan said. The Gloeckners’ attended Kids Day at Kinnick in August where they “rolled out the red carpet” in spoiling the kids, so they are excited to see how Brandi is treated during her day. “She doesn’t really get excited about too many things, but she definitely deserves it,” Cindy said. “I mean, she’s been through heck and back.”
ejdelgado@uiowa.edu
16 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, November 19, 2021
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