Iowa football: Five observations in Senior Day win over Illinois
By Andrew Wade
![IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Tight end Nate Wieting #39 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the first half between defensive backs Stanley Green#7 and Sydney Brown #30 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 23, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Tight end Nate Wieting #39 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the first half between defensive backs Stanley Green#7 and Sydney Brown #30 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 23, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ca78de9e4169bab81232b8510f4c5f34eed4cbf3ad8ad1bfd37c81b5c0e5d99d.jpg)
Young guys shine bright on offense
Yes, the Iowa football team is losing a three-year starting signal-caller at the conclusion of this season, but if you’re a Hawkeye fan, you have to be excited about these young guys on the roster.
There are five freshman playing key roles on offense:
Tyler Goodson, RB
Sam LaPorta, TE
Tyrone Tracy Jr, WR
Tyler Linderbaum, C
Nico Ragaini, WR
That’s significant. The Iowa football team doesn’t play young guys often, and with a talented team already on board, it just shows how special these young guys are. Furthermore, if (and it’s unlikely) Tristan Wirfs and Alaric Jackson return, the Hawks could be returning 9 of 11 starters (8 if you count Brady Ross as a starter).
With Brian Ferentz entering his fourth year as a coordinator, this offense could be ready to blow up next year in a good way.