Although Iowa football hasn’t exactly cruised through the season unscathed, the Hawkeyes have kept their injury list surprisingly low when compared to most teams navigating the physical demands of the Big Ten. A roster that has mainly depended on consistency, particularly on defense and in the run game, has been stabilized by this relative good fortune. However, the health of two important seniors has taken center stage as Iowa prepares for its regular-season finale against Nebraska on Friday.
Due to an undisclosed injury sustained during the preseason, wide receiver Jarriett Buie has not played a single snap this fall. Wideout Reece Vander Zee also experienced a setback in September that stopped his momentum, and tight end Addison Ostrenga was sidelined for the season after suffering an injury against Iowa State early in the season. Beyond those problems, however, the Hawkeyes have mostly avoided the kind of long-term attrition that causes teams to falter at this time of year.
However, tight end Hayden Large and cornerback TJ Hall—both seniors, crucial to their positions, and sidelined against Michigan State last weekend—have drawn the most attention ahead of the Black Friday rivalry game in Lincoln. When neither showed up on Iowa’s early-week depth chart for Nebraska, it raised questions about whether or not fans had already witnessed them play in an Iowa uniform for the last time.
There is more to Large’s absence than just a missing body. Throughout the season, he has been one of Iowa’s most dependable and physically strong blockers. His steady presence has helped stabilize a rushing attack that has relied more on toughness and efficiency than on spectacular chunk plays. Tight ends at Iowa are expected to set edges, create lanes, and keep the offense on schedule; they are rarely asked to pad stat sheets. Week after week, Large has done just that.
In contrast, Hall has been arguably Iowa’s best coverage corner, a stabilizing force in a secondary that consistently produces players ready for the NFL. Iowa has been able to overcome the difficulties of a league full of big-armed quarterbacks and aggressive passing schemes thanks to his instincts and discipline. Phil Parker’s defense must adapt quickly if he is absent, even for a single week. The response was quick when neither player appeared on the depth chart: Could Iowa really be playing a rivalry game without two of its most reliable seniors?
Fortunately for the Hawkeyes, during his weekly media availability on Tuesday, Kirk Ferentz provided a more positive update. He implied that both players are moving in the right direction, but he was cautious not to make any guarantees. Ferentz clarified, “In terms of injuries, both TJ Hall and Hayden Large were able to work a little bit today and yesterday, but I’m not sure if they’ll make it or not.” They’ve both come a long way, but we’ll have to wait and see how the week turns out. Most likely more than we had anticipated. They still have a few days to heal, so maybe they can help out a little, but we’ll have to wait and see.
That’s more than just a hopeful update for two seniors facing their last Iowa regular-season game; it’s a lifeline. At this point, players seldom want to watch from the sidelines, particularly in a rivalry like this one that is based on passion, tenacity, and momentum swings. Ferentz’s tone suggested that the door is still very much open, and even seeing some practice reps early in the week suggests they’re working hard to be available.
It’s important news for Iowa because they could have a quantifiable effect on a game that is rarely simple for either team. The Heroes Trophy match has a tendency to escalate into a fistfight, which is intimate, unsightly, and stressful for all parties. Having played their fair share of thrilling games against Nebraska in recent years, Iowa knows this better than anyone. Large’s availability could stabilize the run game against Matt Rhule’s improved Nebraska defense. Additionally, Hall’s return to the back end would give Iowa’s defense one of its most reliable players against a Nebraska offense that is still figuring things out after switching quarterbacks this season.
With just a few days remaining, the Hawkeyes should remain optimistic despite the fact that none of this indicates they will play. Friday’s game between Iowa and Nebraska will begin at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln at 11 a.m. CT. The game, which will be broadcast on CBS, will conclude Iowa’s regular season. It may also be the last game for two seniors who want to play in black and gold at least once more.
