Hawk Talk Monthly — April 2018 | Sign Up For Season Tickets | Ojemudia is Pumped | Practice 7 Photo Gallery | Practice 6 Photo Gallery
By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — It’s time for spring football trivia:
The last time the University of Iowa took the field, the leading tackler for the Hawkeyes was…
Josey Jewell? No.
Bo Bower? No.
Ben Niemann? No.
When Iowa defeated Boston College, 27-20, in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27, the Hawkeyes’ leading tackler was strong safety Amani Hooker. Two of his game-high 12 tackles directly affected the outcome. Boston College led 14-10 late in the second quarter when running back AJ Dillon broke free for a 66-yard gain to Iowa’s 21 yard line. A touchdown-saving tackle was made by Hooker and the Eagles were held to a field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Boston College quarterback Darius Wade found tight end Tommy Sweeney for a 48-yard completion to Iowa’s 7. Hooker again made a touchdown-saving stop and the Eagles were again held to a field goal.
“My parents talked about it, chasing down plays,” Hooker said Tuesday in the Stew and LeNore Hansen Football Performance Center.
Not much else was made of Hooker’s hustle in meetings or film study back in Iowa City.
“You’re expected to make plays like that,” Hooker said.
The 6-foot, 210-pound junior from Minneapolis has six career starts at free safety and strong safety. He is listed as Iowa’s starting strong safety for spring drills. Miles Taylor made nine starts at strong safety for the Hawkeyes in 2017 and Jake Gervase started 10 times at free safety.
“I have been thinking about playing time since I first got here,” Hooker said. “The goal for a lot of guys is to come in and play. Last spring, I was just trying to get better and learn the playbook. Now it is about improving my fundamentals and ball skills.”
Hooker finished the New Era Pinstripe Bowl with eight solo tackles and four assists. For the season, he was fifth on the team with 56 tackles, despite playing just 10 games (he was injured and did not play the final three regular-season games against Wisconsin, Purdue, and Nebraska). Hooker made two pass breakups and had two interceptions — the most memorable being a pick 6 on the first play against Ohio State that opened the scoring in a 55-24 victory over the Buckeyes.
“I think I played well, but obviously I have a lot of room to improve,” Hooker said of his sophomore season. “I need to get better and play faster mentally and physically — seeing things before they happen.”
The Hawkeyes completed their eighth of 15 practices Thursday in the Indoor Football Practice Facility. They will conclude the third week of spring ball Friday evening.
“If you practice hard, it transitions easily to the games,” Hooker said.
Iowa’s final spring practice will be April 20 inside Kinnick Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m. (CT). It will be open to the public.
Returning University of Iowa students are encouraged to grab their 2018-19 football and men’s basketball season tickets this spring to guarantee they have seats before the incoming class has an opportunity at the remaining inventory. Current students can purchase their seats HERE.
Sign up as a new football season ticket holder to get the best available locations in the 2018 seat selection process. Click HERE to add your name to the list.
The Hawkeyes play their first four games at Kinnick Stadium, beginning with Northern Illinois on Sept. 1.
