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Iowa Football: Top Hawkeyes To Watch For Against Minnesota
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- Iowa Football: Top Hawkeyes To Watch For Against Minnesota
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Jeremy Hecklinski meets the media at media availability on Oct. 20.
Iowa football returns to action in just three days, and it's a big one.
The 15th-ranked Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-1) will look to continue their push for the College Football Playoff when they travel to Minneapolis to take on rival Minnesota in the 120th meeting between these iconic Big Ten programs on Saturday afternoon (2:30 p.m., FS1).
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Playing for Floyd of Rosedale is always a big deal in Iowa City, and there are a lot of Hawkeyes that could play a key role to keeping the storied trophy in Iowa for the 11th time in 12 years. It's hard to narrow the list down to five, but we've managed to do it.
Here are five Iowa players you should definitely be watching for on Saturday:
QB Jeremy Hecklinski
Like we've said before, you're definitely going to see the starting quarterback appear on this list each week. Kirk Ferentz may or may not have intended to reveal the news at his Tuesday press conference, but his decision to start Jeremy Hecklinski over Hank Brown isn't surprising at all. Though Brown played well as a starter before he left the Ohio State game with an injury, Hecklinski's efficient and explosive performance the following weekend in Seattle appears to be enough for Ferentz to make the switch.
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There's obviously going to be a lot of pressure on Hecklinski to keep Floyd of Rosedale in Iowa City, but remember this: the first touchdown of his collegiate career came against these same Gophers last season , so that is only a positive as he prepares for this game.
Tim Lester will probably use the Washington game as a blueprint for scheming his game plan for Saturday. The Hawkeyes operated out of the shotgun more often with Hecklinski under center, and they also used more RPOs (run-pass option) and play-action passes, so expect to see all of those on full display at Huntington Bank Stadium.
S Zach Lutmer
Hecklinski isn't the only player on this list that has had a memorable moment against Minnesota. Zach Lutmer was already emerging as one of Iowa's best defensive players by the time the Hawkeyes met the Gophers on Oct. 25 last year, but Lutmer solidified himself as a key member of the defense by recording five tackles and his first career touchdown - a 34-yard interception return in the first half.
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Iowa's secondary had Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey in an absolute blender that day, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a similar outcome happen on Saturday. Lindsey has had a penchant for throwing interceptions this year (he's thrown at least one pick in every game since Week 3), and Lutmer is still seeking his first interception of the season.
It's very possible Lutmer could get the best of Lindsey again on Saturday.
RB Kamari Moulton
Moulton could be in line for another huge game on Saturday. His confidence is clearly present after he tallied 208 yards against Washington two weeks ago, but keep in mind that Minnesota's run defense hasn't exactly been spectacular this year. The Gophers rank just 11th in the Big Ten in rushing defense (129.2 yards per game) and just allowed 2-3 Purdue to record 305 yards on the ground in a 41-13 loss. Every game is different, but if Iowa's offensive line continues to build on its impressive showing in Seattle, Moulton should have plenty of opportunities to shine.
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LB Cam Buffington
It feels like a shortcut to cherry pick players based on what they did against an opponent last season, but Buffington is another one of those guys. The Winfield native didn't see a lot of action in 2025, but the Minnesota game foreshadowed what he's done so far in 2026. The Hawkeyes had this game way out of hand by the fourth quarter, allowing Buffington to come into the game and secure the first career interception midway through the period.
Flash-forward to today, and Buffington is a cornerstone piece for Iowa's defense. His team-high 52 tackles makes him an immediate threat to contribute on Saturday, especially if defensive coordinator Phil Parker continues to use Buffington on a variety of blitz schemes.
TE DJ Vonnahme
Vonnahme played his best football near the end of the season last year, so it's no surprise that he's rounding into form right now. The third-year is coming off his best game of the season (two receptions for 44 yards and two scores against Washington), and should be a major weapon for Hecklinski against Minnesota. Remember when Lester used a lot of play-action plays against Washington? Both of Vonnahme's touchdowns in Seattle came on the play-pass and there wasn't a defender within 10 yards of him on both scores.
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If Iowa can duplicate its strong rushing attack against Minnesota, expect Vonnahme to find some green grass at Huntington Bank Stadium.
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io
