The Battle on the Gridiron: How to Watch Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Utah State Aggies

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Utah State Aggies: Week 1 Preview and Game Information

Overview

The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to face off against the Utah State Aggies in their first game of the 2023 college football season. This matchup has generated significant anticipation and excitement among Hawkeyes fans, as it could be their best chance to win the Big Ten West in the final year before realignment changes the conference landscape. Despite some uncertainties surrounding their quarterback position, Iowa’s defense is poised for another dominant season under head coach Kirk Ferentz.

The Importance of Offense

Iowa’s offensive coordinator, Brian Ferentz, faces the challenge of ensuring the team averages at least 25 points per game. This requirement stems from a new contract clause, highlighting the program’s commitment to offensive improvement. The success of the offense will be crucial in achieving the team’s goal of reaching 10 wins this season.

A Potentially Lopsided Matchup

The Utah State Aggies, a member of the Mountain West Conference, finished with a record of 6-7 last year. They struggled on both offense and defense, ranking poorly in scoring offense and yielding significant yardage to opponents. The Aggies now face the daunting task of opening their season at Kinnick Stadium, a notoriously challenging venue for visiting teams. Based on their previous meeting in 2002, which ended in a commanding 48-7 victory for Iowa, the Hawkeyes are favored in this matchup.

How to Watch

Those eager to see the game can tune in at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, September 2nd. The television broadcast will be available on FS1, with Jeff Levering as the play-by-play commentator and Mark Helfrich providing analysis. For viewers who prefer streaming, fuboTV offers a live stream of the game. Additionally, the Hawkeye Radio Network will provide radio coverage, led by Gary Dolphin on play-by-play and Ed Podolak as the analyst.

Key Injuries

Both teams have a few players dealing with injuries. For the Iowa Hawkeyes, starting quarterback Cade McNamara’s status remains questionable due to a quadricep injury. Backup quarterback Joey Labas is listed as probable with an undisclosed injury, while wide receiver Nico Ragaini also has an undisclosed injury and is considered questionable. Wide receiver Jacob Bostick will not be available due to a foot injury. On the defensive side, defensive lineman Noah Shannon and linebacker Jack Johnson are facing suspensions.

The Utah State Aggies will be without tight end Josh Sterzer due to an undisclosed injury. However, tight end Broc Lane is expected to play despite a foot injury.

Players to Watch

In this matchup, several players will be key contributors to their respective teams. For the Iowa Hawkeyes, quarterback Cade McNamara brings experience with 16 career starts, 3,181 passing yards, and 21 touchdowns. Running back Kaleb Johnson, who rushed for 779 yards and six touchdowns last season, will be looking to make an impact. Tight end Luke Lachey, with 28 receptions, 398 yards, and four touchdowns in 2022, adds to Iowa’s offensive arsenal. On defense, safety Cooper DeJean and defensive end Joe Evans will be instrumental in shutting down the Aggies’ offense.

Utah State’s quarterback, Cooper Legas, is a player to watch with his impressive performance last season, accumulating 1,499 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Terrell Vaughn and defensive tackle Hale Motu’apuaka will also be key contributors for the Aggies.

Historical Context

Iowa currently leads the all-time series between the two teams, with a 2-0 record. The last meeting took place on September 21, 2002, resulting in a dominant 48-7 victory for the Hawkeyes. This history, coupled with Iowa’s preseason ranking of 25th in the Associated Press poll, suggests that the team is favored in this matchup.

Additionally, Kirk Ferentz, Iowa’s head coach, is on the verge of achieving a significant milestone. He is just two wins away from reaching 200 career victories, a feat that only 23 other Division I coaches have accomplished. This accomplishment speaks to Ferentz’s long-standing success and consistency as Iowa’s head coach.

Conclusion

The game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Utah State Aggies promises to be an exciting start to the 2023 college football season. While the Aggies face an uphill battle as the visiting team at Kinnick Stadium, they will look to improve upon last year’s struggles and challenge the Hawkeyes’ dominance. Fans can look forward to key players making impactful contributions on both offense and defense.

As the Hawkeyes set their sights on a successful season and a potential Big Ten West title, the outcome of this game will serve as an early indicator of their capabilities. Whether Iowa can meet the offensive expectations set forth by Brian Ferentz and continue their defensive prowess under the leadership of Kirk Ferentz remains to be seen. Regardless, college football fans can anticipate an action-packed matchup between these two teams on Saturday.