Although they will face each other on the field Monday, the Hawkeyes and Tigers share a notable similarity: both teams have relatively few players opting out of their bowl game. This reflects their commitment to fostering a strong team culture.
“When you look at college football and our two programs, both have done a great job. I believe we have just two opt-outs on each side due to potential NFL opportunities. We fully respect that, but the remaining seniors want to play because of their brotherhood,” said Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz.
The Hawkeyes will have a different offensive look without Kaleb Johnson, the Big Ten running back of the year, who is opting out. However, they are confident in Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson, who will share the rushing duties.
“It would be a mistake for anyone to expect them to be Kaleb. They just need to be themselves, as they are both talented players,” said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. “We have a few other guys who might be involved as well. Ideally, those two can handle the workload. We know we have to run the ball if we want to win, and we need to find a way to do that.”
Quarterback Brendan Sullivan is expected to return to action after being sidelined with an injury sustained against UCLA.
“He’s ready to go. Having him back has been fantastic,” said Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester. “He’s healthy now, although it was tough for him as a mobile quarterback when he wasn’t able to move.”
“He just needs to focus on playing his position well. Like any role, it’s easier said than done, especially for a quarterback. He doesn’t have to win the game alone; he just needs to perform his role effectively and rely on the team to contribute,” Ferentz added.
Iowa and Missouri will clash for the first time since 2010, and Drinkwitz had strong words of praise for Iowa’s defense.
“They make you earn every inch. Their defensive scheme is challenging to face, which is part of their success,” he said.
The Hawkeyes will be without four players on Monday: center Logan Jones, wide receiver Seth Anderson, defensive back Koen Entringer are out due to injuries, while linebacker Kyler Fisher is ineligible.
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