GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Iowa’s wide receivers were able to produce last week at Minnesota and how they fare against Indiana’s secondary could be a key factor in the outcome of Saturday’s Big Ten game. The Hoosiers were blistered for 455 yards through the air by Ohio State in a loss last week, but the Hawkeyes aren’t nearly as formidable as Dwayne Haskins and the Buckeyes’ talented receiving group.
If Iowa’s passing game continues to develop, if WRs Nick Easley, Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette make some big plays as they did at Minnesota, if QB Nate Stanley avoids turnovers, Iowa could have a good day in Bloomington.
“I would say as a whole we all played well (at Minnesota),” Easley said. “That was the first time we had good games together, so that was good. We’re just taking that as a group and moving forward. We feel like we can take another step and be even better. That’s really our focus now.”
DRAFT SLANT
–TE Noah Fant added to his Iowa record for career touchdowns by a tight end with his 17th last week against Minnesota. Fant’s five-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter expanded Hawkeyes’ lead to 14 points on the way to a 48-31 victory. Fant’s TD receptions total is tied for fourth overall in program history. His five touchdowns this season rank fourth overall in Big Ten and tie him for the most among FBS tight ends with Jace Sternberger of Texas A&M.
ROSTER REPORT:
–LB Jack Hockaday’s left knee injury might not be as bad as it seemed after he was hurt. The senior had an MRI on Sunday that indicated he should be able to return soon. How soon is still not known. “Based on what we saw in testing, Jack should be back,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “I don’t know if it will be this week; I’m not optimistic there, but he should be back in the near future.” Hockaday is Iowa’s starting middle linebacker and leading tackler this season.
–LB Nick Niemann remains out for Saturday’s game at Indiana with a knee strain. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he hopes Niemann will be back soon.
–LB Amani Jones will have to sit out the first half of Iowa’s game at Indiana on Saturday after he was called for a targeting penalty last week in the final minute of the win at Minnesota. Jones is the Hawkeyes’ top backup linebacker.
–TE Noah Fant left last week’s game against Minnesota after his head hit the turf hard on a reverse. His availability for Saturday’s visit to Indiana likely depends on whether he’s cleared in concussion protocol. The junior is Iowa’s career leader in touchdowns by a tight end with 17.
–RB Ivory Kelly-Martin was involved in a helmet-to-helmet hit last week at Minnesota that knocked him out of the game. He is likely in concussion protocol and questionable for Saturday’s game at Indiana.
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