Title: Xavier Nwankpa Talks Development, Playing Madden with Quinn Schulte
Subtitle: Iowa Hawkeyes Open 2023 Season with Victory Against Utah State
By Tyler Tachman, Hawk Central
We’ve made it to another Iowa football season, one that won’t lack intrigue or drama as the Hawkeyes embark on another journey. The action kicked off at 11 a.m. against Utah State inside Kinnick Stadium, where Register reporters Chad Leistikow, Tyler Tachman, and Dargan Southard are on-site to bring you analysis and updates throughout the day. Follow along here from pregame to postgame as HawkCentral brings you extensive coverage of Iowa’s 2023 season opener.
In the midst of the excitement, sophomore safety Xavier Nwankpa opened up about his development heading into his sophomore season and how playing Madden with teammate Quinn Schulte has helped build chemistry on the field. Nwankpa expressed his dedication to becoming a better player and contributing to the team’s success this season.
On the field, the Hawkeyes demonstrated their dominance against Utah State. With an impressive 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, Iowa showcased a strong offensive game, with quarterback Cade McNamara throwing two touchdown passes. The first touchdown, a 36-yard connection to Seth Anderson, marked Iowa’s first season-opening touchdown since 1991. McNamara finished the quarter with 64 passing yards and two scores.
The defense also showed their strength, controlling the game with ease in the first 15 minutes. They limited Utah State’s offense and forced turnovers, including an interception by Deshaun Lee that was negated by an offsides penalty.
As the game unfolded, some unexpected developments occurred. Offensive lineman Rusty Feth and Tyler Elsbury rotated positions early on, showcasing the team’s depth and flexibility. The Hawkeyes also displayed their aggression by going for it on fourth-and-goal, resulting in a successful touchdown pass from McNamara to Erik All.
Before the game, it was announced that cornerback Jermari Harris would be inactive due to a suspension related to sports gambling. In Harris’ absence, redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee took on the role alongside Cooper DeJean in the secondary.
Overall, Iowa’s opening game provided fans with a glimpse of their potential for the season. The chemistry and development of players like Nwankpa and the strong performance on both offense and defense set a positive tone for the rest of the year.
The Hawkeyes will look to carry this momentum as they continue their season, facing Western Michigan in Week 3. With the dedication and commitment displayed by the players, Iowa fans can expect an exciting journey ahead.
[Author Bio: Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.]