Coming off a disappointing 16-13 loss in the Cy-Hawk game over the weekend, and with injuries piling up, many fans might have expected to see some big changes on Iowa’s newest depth chart.
Those fans would be wrong. The Hawkeyes released their Week 3 depth chart on Monday, ahead of this weekend’s clash with UMASS at Kinnick Stadium. And there was only one change from the Week 2 depth chart, due to an injury from the Cy-Hawk game.
Despite the lack of changes, there’s still plenty to talk about and discuss from this newest depth chart. From players holding onto starting roles despite subpar performances to a new starting tight end, let’s break down the three biggest takeaways from Iowa’s Week 3 depth chart.
1. New starter at tight end
Following the injury to Addison Ostrenga in the first quarter of the Cy-Hawk game, Hawkeye fans knew there would be a new starter at tight end in Week 3. And that answer came on Monday when junior Zach Ortwerth was listed as the tight end starter for the UMASS game. Ortwerth didn’t have a reception against Iowa State, but will be relied upon to step up with Ostrenga’s injury seeming more serious.
Senior Hayden Large and redshirt freshman DJ Vonnahme were listed as the backups to Ortwerth. Surprisingly, the Iowa tight ends haven’t really been a factor on offense this season. The Hawkeyes need a spark offensively, and maybe one of these tight ends can be that answer. Ortwerth will get the first crack at being that answer on Saturday.
2. Terrell Washington Jr. starting at running back
Sophomore Terrell Washington Jr. got the start at running back against Iowa State and struggled, amassing just eight yards on five carries. Junior Jaz Patterson had a lot more success, going for 60 yards on 11 carries. Even redshirt freshman Xavier Williams, who went over 100 yards on the ground in Week 1, found more success against the Cyclones with seven carries for 26 yards.
The decision to start Washington Jr. again against UMass, over Patterson and Williams, is a baffling one for Iowa. The Hawkeyes will use all three running backs until Kamari Moulton returns from injury, but Williams and Patterson have earned the lion’s share of the carries. And it doesn’t seem like they’ll get those carries against UMASS, unfortunately.
3. No changes at wide receiver
Outside of senior Jacob Gill, who had five receptions for 52 yards, the Iowa wide receivers were nonexistent against Iowa State. Hawkeye wide receivers not named Jacob Gill combined for three catches and 24 yards in the Cy-Hawk game. After a lot of offseason hype, that position group has fizzled out this season. But despite that, no changes were made on the depth chart.
Gill and seniors Sam Phillips and Seth Anderson are still listed as the starters heading into the UMASS game. Senior Kaden Wetjen, sophomore Dayton Howard, and redshirt freshman KJ Parker are still listed as the backups. While the injuries to Reece Vander Zee and Jarriett Buie have hampered the depth at that position, I’m shocked that someone like Howard or Parker wasn’t elevated to a starter. Iowa needs a spark at that position, and going with a younger option could provide that. But alas, it’s status quo for the Hawkeyes at that position.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football Week 3 depth chart takeaways vs. UMass: TE Addison Ostrenga absent
Reporting by Zach Hiney, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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