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Iowa will have star power on the sidelines as they welcome Purdue to Kinnick Stadium

The Hawkeyes are bringing back a familiar face to serve as and honorary captain
ByJordan Underwood
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Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) blocks for wide receiver Sterling Shepard (17) against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) blocks for wide receiver Sterling Shepard (17) against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Time is winding down this season, but Iowa is primed to make its first College Football Playoff with a good run of play.

The Hawkeyes return to Kinnick Stadium after a commanding performance against Northwestern, defeating the Wildcats 24-10 in Evanston. With two losses already on their resume, Iowa can't afford another, and the program is bringing in some star power for extra motivation in Week 11 against Purdue.

Former star OL Tristan Wirfs is serving as Iowa's honorary captain against Purdue

The defense came out hot against Northwestern, shutting them out in the first half, and the offense put up two touchdowns to all but seal the game. Iowa's first drive went 75 yards for a touchdown, and they never looked back. The offense wasn't great, but did enough to secure the victory. Iowa outrushed Northwestern 170 to 105 as the offensive line continues improving, and the program is bringing back a former star OL to give them a boost against Purdue this weekend.

Mount Vernon native and former Super Bowl champion Tristan Wirfs will be in the house for Iowa's matchup against Purdue. Purdue knocked off Illinois and Minnesota before its current three-game slide, and the Hawkeyes will do everything they can to push that losing streak to four and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Iowa has responded well after a disappointing loss to Minnesota in the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale, and has three winnable games to end the regular season.

Wirfs never made it to the CFP, but was one of Iowa's top offensive linemen over the past decade. Wirfs was a high-ranked in-state prospect before going just down the road to Iowa City, becoming the first true freshman to start at tackle in the Kirk Ferentz era. He started 32 games in three seasons before leaving early for the NFL, racking up multiple accolades along the way. He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions in 2017 and 2018 before earning a First-Team selection in 2019. Wirfs was also named the Big Ten's Rimington-Pace Lineman of the Year and was named a Walter Camp First-Team All-American.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Wirfs with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he has earned five Pro Bowl selections and two All-NFL selections. He was also a key starter for the Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV win. Iowa has had multiple stars return as honorary captains this season, and Wirfs will hopefully give the Hawkeyes some motivation in a must-win game against the Boilermakers in Week 11.

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