The college football season has finally started, so we’ll be seeing some big competitions across the country in the first week.
Hurricanes Iowa (0-0) - Southeast Missouri Redhawks (0-0)
Saturday 3 September @ Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA
How to watch:
- time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern time
- Channel: Big 12 Now on ESPN +
Betting stats:
- Spread: ISU -34 (-110)
- Above under: 54.5 (-110)
the match:
The Cyclones and the Redhawks are preparing to meet for the first time in the season opener in Ames, Iowa, which is supposed to be an important game for both sides.
On paper, it should be an easy start for the Cyclones, as they look to be a mid-group contender in the tough Big 12 Conference. However, season openers in the past haven’t always been smooth sailing in Iowa.
In 2021, the Hurricanes were expected to be their best in a long time, but UNI gave them money in a tight one-holding competition. Two years earlier, UNI had brought Iowa an additional three times before the Hurricane finally took a win. In 2020, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns hit the Hurricanes and came out on top, 31-14.
While it’s not easy to eliminate hurricanes at home, the unpredictability of the season openers could put some extra pressure on the team. However, the Hurricanes should be more comfortable knowing that they are 2-0 in both previous meetings against teams from the Ohio Valley Conference, even though the last time they met an OVC team was in 2002.
The big story of the game will be how the new midfielders adapt to their workloads in the beginning. Hunter Deckers was on the off-season as the quarterback for the Hurricanes, while Paxton DiLaurent won the quarterback fight for the Redhawks.
Dekkers showed his natural talent at times as backup to Brock Purdy, throwing for 193 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in 2021, going over 61 yards and one touchdown. Delaurent is a transfer from Central Methodist University, having passed for 2,499 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2021. Both quarterbacks will make their debuts as starters for their teams.
Iowa President Matt Campbell will also see a familiar face on Saturday. Southeast Missouri coach Tom Matukewicz served as a defensive coordinator under Campbell during their time in Toledo. Both teams have a lot at stake, as winning early in the season could be the momentum they need to tackle the rest of the teams in the future.
Players to know:
Deckers hunter - Iowa State, QB
2021 season stats: 193 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 rushing touchdown
This game will give fans their first look at Dekkers as a quarterback. In the past two seasons, the Dekkers have taken rep behind Brock Purdy, considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in Iowa history.
Glitter and faster than ever, the Dekkers will have the opportunity to show the world of college football what he brings to the table, both in his arm strength and double-threat capabilities. This will also be an important game for the Deckers to build team confidence and should set the pace for the season.
Xavier Hutchinson - Iowa, WR
2021 season stats: 83 receiving, 987 yards, five touchdowns
One name in Iowa crime that will be heard a lot on Saturday will be Hutchinson. With the Dekkers taking his first shots as a rookie, Hutchinson will be his safety net throughout the match.
Hutchinson also took home the First Team All-Big 12 Awards for the second year in a row after his historic 2021 campaign. With big offensive weapons losing over the holiday season in running back Breece Hall and tight ends Charlie Kollar and Chase Allen, Hutchinson is in prime position to have a brutal game.
Will MacDonald IV - Iowa, De
2021 season stats: 11.5 sacks, 36 tackles, 14 stops to lose, five forced tackles
McDonald is currently one of the best defensive goals in college football, there’s no doubt about that. His 11.5 sacks in 2021 led the Big 12 and ranked him fifth nationally, while his 22 sacks over the past two seasons are the second-most by any player in that period. Annoying quarterbacks is what MacDonald does best, and with a new quarterback under the Redhawks’ position, he will eat on Saturday.
Geno Hiss - Southeast Missouri, RB
2021 season stats: 1117 yards, 14 touchdowns, 5.5 yards per attempt
Hess is an elite running talent and has the opportunity to establish himself as the best returnee in school history during his 2022 campaign. He’s coming off a solid season, averaging over five yards for carry and 111.6 yards per game.
Hess will be chasing the school’s leaderboards in 2022, currently sitting sixth of all time in the rush yards and second all-time in the fast descent. There’s a reason Hess was named Offensive Player of the Year at this year’s Ohio Valley Conference. Hiss can do some damage to Iowa’s defense if he doesn’t react well to his explosive run.
Major injuries:
- Jake Remsberg, Iowa offensive lineman: Undisclosed injury. Doubtful for Saturday.
For more college football coverage, like this Iowa State preview, Visit amNYSports.com
