The Iowa football team reclaimed the Cy-Hawk trophy with a 20-13 win against rival Iowa State on Sept. 9. 

Now, the Hawkeyes will close out their non-conference schedule this Saturday with a less anticipated opponent — the Western Michigan Broncos. 

But both Iowa players and coaches know they can’t take any foe lightly. 

Western Michigan leads the series against Iowa, 2-1. The Hawkeyes throttled the Broncos, 59-3, the last time the two squads met in 2013. 

“There hasn’t been a day where we come out and we’re just feet on the table, leaning back, enjoying things,” offensive lineman Nick DeJong said on Tuesday. “We’re coming out every day excited and eager to not only practice but get better and get to where we want to be.”

Offense still progressing

At this point last season, the Iowa offense had put up just 14 points. In the first two games this season, the Hawkeyes have scored 44 points, including an interception returned for a touchdown by defensive back Sebastian Castro.

There is still much room for improvement, as the Hawkeye run game has been one of the worst in FBS thus far with an average of 2.86 yards per rush. The offense has amassed just 519 total yards.

But there is a positive vibe around Iowa’s facility. Quarterback Cade McNamara said on Tuesday that he feels healthier right now than he has in a month and is fully participating in practice this week. The Michigan transfer suffered a quad muscle injury during open practice on Aug. 12. 

He added that it’s just the “little things” that the offense needs to work on and that he has “total belief” in offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. For the quarterback, it all comes down to execution on the field and taking care of what Iowa can control. 

Once the unit irons out those wrinkles, McNamara believes the Hawkeyes can be “dangerous.”

“The vibe in our building is really high right now,” Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini said on Tuesday. “I feel like we’re all very positive and work well together. We are all striving to be the offense we want to be.”

McNamara credited the O-line for its pass protection so far this season and running back Jaziun Patterson for putting his body on the line every time he is out on the field.

McNamara specifically recalled Patterson’s pass protection on his 23-yard pass to tight-end Erick All on third-and-1 against Iowa State. The completion extended a drive that eventually led to a field goal and put the Hawkeyes up, 20-3. 

“We had two guys coming off the edge, and Jaz literally dove and took out two guys at one time. That gave me just enough time to get the ball to Erick,” McNamara said. “I think that just shows his level of unselfishness and what he’s going to do for this team.”

Besides Patterson’s crucial blocks, the redshirt freshman has started to make noise as a ball carrier. The Florida native led Iowa with 86 rushing yards and scored his first career touchdown against Iowa State. His 15 carries so far this season have already surpassed his 14 attempts in 2022. 

Ferentz said that Beau Stephens, who was listed as the starting right guard following spring practice, might be in the O-line rotation on Saturday. Stephens has been recovering from a bone bruise but has been back on the field the last two days. The sophomore started 11 games at guard last season.

Offensive lineman Daijon Parker missed spring practice with a meniscus injury and didn’t participate in open practice on Aug. 12. Ferentz said on Tuesday that Parker is “gaining ground” but not quite ready yet.

Western Michigan’s fast tempo creates challenges 

The Iowa defense will be tested on Saturday by Western Michigan’s up-tempo offense. 

The Broncos have an entirely new offensive staff, including head coach Lance Taylor, who spent the 2022  season as the offensive coordinator at Louisville. 

Taylor said with the Broncos’ pace, the team gets 15 extra reps per practice. 

Western Michigan also possesses plenty of talent on offense. The Broncos returned five of their six starters from last year on the offensive line. Center Jacob Gideon was named to the 2023 Rimington Trophy Watch List as one of the top players at the position. 

Tight end Austin Hence, who is in his eighth collegiate season, is one of quarterback Jack Salopek’s top targets. At 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, Hence has caught nine passes this season for 68 yards and a touchdown. He had a team-high eight receptions on 11 targets in Western Michigan’s 48-7 loss to Syracuse last week. 

Running back Jalen Buckley is capable of explosive plays, as he leads the Broncos with 281 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries. Buckley had a 68-yard rush against St. Francis in the season-opener and a 75-yard touchdown run against Syracuse. 

Western Michigan ranks 24th in the FBS with 218 rushing yards per contest.

Ferentz and linebacker Nick Jackson said Western Michigan’s offense is a mix of Utah State and Iowa State. Jackson complimented the Broncos’ run scheme and pass game and added that Hence creates challenges on the perimeter and in the blocking game.

“It’s not all about sacks. It’s all about how productive we are on each and every play,” Iowa defensive end Joe Evans said on Tuesday. “When they’re getting the ball out quick, we better be hustling to the ball and making a difference. Sacks are nice, but for me, all I care about is that ‘W’ on the screen.”

The Iowa secondary will have a bit more experience on Saturday as Jermari Harris is back on the depth chart following a two-game gambling suspension. The junior is slated to start at right corner. 

Redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee has started the last two games at right corner and has held his own, amassing 15 total tackles. Ferentz said they have much more confidence in Lee now after seeing his performance this season and is happy to have depth at that position. 

The Hawkeye defensive line took a hit on Tuesday, as Noah Shannon’s appeal to the NCAA was denied and his season-long suspension was upheld. The sixth-year senior was suspended in August for sports gambling. He doesn’t have any eligibility left, so his collegiate career is over. The Illinois native said in a statement he plans to stay around the program and help in any way he can. He has been on the sidelines for both Iowa games this season.

Ferentz hopes that an NFL team will take a chance on Shannon, who registered 107 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks over his Iowa career. 

“The good news is that [Shannon’s] got a lot of good film and has played a lot of good football for us,” Ferentz said. “He’s a tremendous young man.”

As for Western Michigan’s defense, the Broncos frequently blitz under defensive coordinator Lou Esposito, who has been on the coaching staff since 2017. 

McNamara said it will be crucial for him and the rest of the offense to be on the same page. 

Ragaini feels that facing a heavy blitz defense could be good for Iowa’s receiving core because it will allow more one-on-one matchups. He added that finding isolation to get open will be key to success. Hawkeye receivers have combined for just 106 yards this season. 

“When the opportunity calls,” Ragaini said, “I have faith in me and all the other guys in the receiving room to make the plays.”