NASHVILLE — For the first time in 36 days, the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5) will return to the football field as they face Kentucky (7-5) in Saturday’s Music City Bowl game (11 a.m., ABC) .
However, the team they will form is quite different from the one they had for much of the regular season.
It comes after the transfers of nine players, including starters Arland Bruce IV, Keagan Johnson and Jestin Jacobs.
In addition to those departures, star safety Kaevon Merriweather announced his decision to declare himself for the 2023 NFL Draft and subsequently retired from the bowling game.
While the loss of so many familiar faces can be disheartening, it has allowed several young players to get more reps.
A prime example is rookie Joe Labas, who will be making his first career start at quarterback. A member of the Hawkeyes’ recruiting class of 2021, Labas was a three-star recruit from Ohio who helped his high school team reach the state playoffs during his junior and senior seasons.
Also expected to see prominent representatives are freshman safety Xavier Nwankpa and defensive lineman Aaron Graves, two players who saw action in their inaugural seasons.
We’ll have updates and analysis here before, during and after the game, so check back regularly.
11:57/Q2 – Say hello Xavier Nwankpa!
At the start of his young career, true freshman safety Xavier Nwankpa gets a pick six on the first game of Kentucky’s last drive.
Drew Stevens’ 52-yard return and follow-up kick gave Iowa its second touchdown in 11 seconds.
12:08/Q2 – Iowa finds the end zone for the first time tonight
Making the most of Kentucky’s excellent punt field position, Iowa needed only two plays to score its first point of the night.
Both were passes from Labas who first hits Sam LaPorta for a 27-yard gain and then follows it up with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Luke Lachey.
The Hawkeyes are on top 7-0.
End of first trimester
The score remains 0-0 as both defenses showed a slight turn, but didn’t break.
Safety Sebastian Castro is having a good game as he already has two tackles and two pass breakups.
When we return, Joey Labas and the rest of the offense will face a 3rd-and-7 at the Kentucky 45-yard line.
0:44/Q1 – Kentucky makes three-and-out
On the bright side, the Wildcats avoided giving up a safety, but still had to kick the ball after just three plays.
2:59/Q1 – Iowa clears for the first time tonight
Although they started with great field position, the Hawkeyes went three times, leading to a Tory Taylor punt.
However, Taylor’s big leg sends the ball inside Kentucky’s five-yard line before Dejean knocks the ball down at the two-yard line.
The Hawkeyes defense now has a chance to get their first safety of the game.
5:14/Q1 – Iowa defense remains stingy
After allowing a first down, the Hawkeyes defense stepped up again to force another punt from Kentucky.
Castro came out big breaking up a through pass from Wade, his second of the night.
Iowa Special Teams also played a big play after returner Cooper Dejean returned 34 yards taking the ball to their own 40-yard line.
8:48/Q1 – Joey Labas shows promise on first ride
Early feedback from Labas is good after a strong first performance. He completed 3-4 passes for 37 yards, passing the ball to three different pass catchers. He also rushed for three meters.
His big passes and a six-yard run from Nico Ragaini got the Hawkeyes down to the Wildcats 33-yard line.
Facing 4th and 2nd, the Kentucky defense stepped up and broke a pass to force a turnover on the downs.
12:38/Q1 – Iowa defense forces a punt
Kentucky does its first offensive practice of the day, despite some first steps from Wade. In his first practice of the season, he completed his first two passes before two big defensive plays from the Iowa defense.
The first was a key tackle for the loss of John Wagoner, then on the next game Sebastian Castro broke a pass.
Hawkeyes defense will take the field first
Iowa won the toss and postponed until the second half. The Kentucky offense led by freshman quarterback Destin Wade will get the ball first today. After the touchdown, they will start on their own 25-yard line.
Iowa Captains
Expected offensive line combinations for Iowa ahead of the game
For more pregame information, check out these stories from Hawk Central’s Chad Leistikow and Kennington Smith: