Iowa Football: 3 takeaways from sleepy win over Illinois in Week 13

By Dante Pryor | Nov 23, 2019

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the first half past defensive back Devon Witherspoon #31 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 23, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 16: Running back Tyler Goodson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the second half in front of linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin #55 of the Minnesota Gophers on November 16, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

1. There’s a youth movement happening at Iowa

Five of the most impactful players on the Iowa Hawkeyes offense are freshmen. Wide receiver Nico Ragaini leads the team in receptions, running back Tyler Goodson is second on the team in rushing yards and Sam LaPorta looks like the next great Iowa tight end.

All of these players contributed to the Hawkeye offense on Saturday afternoon.

For the Illini, sophomore tight end Daniel Barker and freshman wide receiver Casey Washington are contributors for the offense. The Illini are far more experienced than Iowa, but what they have waiting in the wings is where they are young. What you saw in this game is indicative of how well both Lovie Smith and Kurt Ferentz have recruited.

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When the game was close, Iowa trusted in their young offensive players coupled with their experienced defense to come away with a win in this close game.

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