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Reece Vander Zee says there is one specific thing Iowa can do to move forward

Vander Zee is taking the loss on the chin like everyone else
ByJordan Underwood
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Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) reacts after getting a first down against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 24, 2026 during a Big Ten football game in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) reacts after getting a first down against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 24, 2026 during a Big Ten football game in Minneapolis, Minnesota. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Iowa program is thanking its lucky stars that Reece Vander Zee is finally fully healthy and making plays for the offense this season.

All the preseason hype focused on Tony Diaz, and for good reason, but Vander Zee has proven himself a reliable pass-catcher for the Iowa offense. Despite Iowa's poor offensive showing against Minnesota, Vander Zee played well. After the loss, Vander Zee said the program has only one option after a game like that.

Vander Zee stated that there is only one thing Iowa can do: get up and fight

After injuries stunted his growth in his first few seasons, Vander Zee is having a breakout offensive year. Vander Zee might not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing leaders, but he is a veteran in the system, and his words carry weight. After suffering a tough loss to the Golden Gophers in Minneapolis, Vander Zee had a straightforward response about how the squad moves forward.

Vander Zee said they shouldn't sit there and whine; they must get up and fight. The program must keep going out and playing its game, and it must lean on the team leaders to get them back on the right track. He is confident in the leaders they have, and they will emphasize that winners "get up off the mat" and fight. Strong words from the third-year wide receiver, but he's exactly right. The worst thing Iowa can do is beat themselves up and turn one loss into two or more, and they have an important game to focus on next week. Luckily, Iowa is back at home in week nine, but Wisconsin is riding high after upsetting USC and jumping into the AP Top 25.

Wisconsin presents a unique test for the Hawkeyes who are reeling after the loss to the Golden Gophers. Wisconsin is what Iowa normally is: solid on defense and in the run game. The Badgers took it to the Trojans in week eight and will look to win the battle for the Heartland Trophy in week nine against Iowa. Iowa's offense has a lot to clean up, especially coughing the ball up four times and committing multiple costly penalties. You know how they played it isn't sitting right with anyone, and hopefully, it lit a fire under them. There is no more room for error, or Iowa could be on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff.

The picture is bleaker than it was all season, but that doesn't mean that Iowa doesn't have time to turn things around. A turnaround starts with the offense, and Vander Zee knows the team has the leadership to fix the problems and execute better moving forward. Vander Zee has been a major part of the offense this season, already surpassing last season's receiving totals with 316 yards and three touchdowns. Iowa will keep relying on Vander Zee, regardless of who starts at quarterback. The Hawkeyes have a two-headed monster with Diaz and Vander Zee, and hopefully the quarterbacks can get them more involved.

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