(Kinnick Stadium -- KIWA Staff Photo)Iowa City, Iowa (RI) — The Iowa football team will open the season nationally ranked despite losing 16 starters from last year’s 9-4 squad.
The Hawkeyes sit at No. 22 in both AP and coaches preseason polls — an unusual level of respect for a program often labeled underrated.
Senior tight end Addison Ostrenga says that reflects the culture Iowa’s coaches have built.
With so many departures on defense, several young players will take on larger roles — including redshirt freshman defensive end Iose Epenesa.
Epenesa says the team isn’t paying attention to preseason rankings.
Redshirt junior defensive back Zach Lutmer is one of only three starters returning on defense and says the group is focused on daily competition.
Iowa has posted eight wins or more in nine of the last ten full seasons, and junior running back Kamari Moulton says that track record explains the national respect.
Junior receiver Reece Vander Zee says the team’s identity — playing with a chip on its shoulder — hasn’t changed.
The Hawkeyes open at home on September 5th against Northern Illinois.
