GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Iowa’s experienced defensive line goes against Minnesota’s young offensive line on Saturday in the annual Floyd of Rosedale trophy game in Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes no doubt will be trying to put pressure on the Gophers and disrupt their offense. Iowa is tied for 10th in the nation with 13 sacks and ranks second in the Big Ten with an average of 3.25 sacks per game. Defensive ends Parker Hesse, Anthony Nelson A.J. Espenesa and Chauncey Golston form a rotation that keeps them fresh and ready to rush the passer.
The Hawkeyes are one of the stingiest defenses in the country against the run, giving up just 84 yards per game. They’ll be facing a Minnesota offense that enters the game 13th in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 346.8 yards per game.
DRAFT SLANT
–TE Noah Fant added three catches for 29 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa’s 28-17 loss to Wisconsin on Sept. 22. The junior has more touchdown catches (16) than any tight end in Iowa history and he is tied for seventh all time. With four touchdown catches this season, he is tied for the national lead among tight ends with Texas A&M’s Jake Sternberger. In NFLDraftScout.com’s 2020 tight end rankings, Fant is second.
ROSTER REPORT:
–LB Barrington Wade was listed as a starter on this week’s depth chart ahead of Iowa’s game at Minnesota on Saturday. Wade replaces LB Nick Niemann, who suffered a leg injury on the final play against Wisconsin two weeks ago.
–LB Nick Niemann, a starter in Iowa’s first four games, sustained a leg injury on the final play of the game against Wisconsin two weeks ago and is expected to miss several weeks.
–LB Djimon Colbert moved ahead of LB Kristian Welch on this week’s depth chart. Colbert, a redshirt freshman, replaced Welch in the second half of the loss to Wisconsin two weeks ago despite Welch finishing the first half with seven tackles. Welch is listed as the backup this week for the game against Minnesota at both outside linebacker spots.
–OL Dalton Ferguson is slated to start at right guard on Saturday against Minnesota. Ferguson started three weeks ago against Northern Iowa after Colt Banwart was injured and again last week against Wisconsin. Banwart returned against Wisconsin and saw some playing time.
–CB Matt Hankins came out of the Sept. 22 game against Wisconsin with an injury and hasn’t been cleared to play on Saturday against Minnesota. “He’s working through some stuff,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “We’re hoping he’ll be ready to roll. We’ll see.” If Hankins is unable to go, freshmen Julius Brents and Riley Moss will take his place.
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