5 Northwestern players to watch against Iowa

Iowa’s next opponent is not having an ideal 2022 season.

After winning its season opener against Nebraska in Ireland, Northwestern has lost six straight games. Iowa, which is on a three-game losing streak, is an 11-point favorite.

Nonetheless, Northwestern has some interesting players. Here are five to watch when the Wildcats come to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday:

RB Evan Hull

Evan Hull is once again the centerpiece of Northwestern’s offensive attack.

The junior running back has almost 1,000 total yards and five touchdowns, and he still has another five games to go.

The 2021 all-Big Ten honorable mention has 547 rushing yards while averaging 4.4 yards per carry and 436 receiving yards.

The Maple Grove, Minn., native flashed what he’s capable of as a receiver against Iowa in 2021 when he had 89 receiving yards and one touchdown on six catches, but he has taken that to another level in 2022.

Hull has more receiving yards and receptions through seven games of 2022 than in 2020 and 2021 combined.

He was especially involved as a receiver in the Wildcats’ 31-23 loss to Duke, picking up 213 receiving yards on 14 catches. It was the first time a Big Ten player put up more than 200 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards this century, according to Northwestern sports information.

LB Xander Mueller

Xander Mueller has been one of the leaders of Northwestern’s 2022 defense.

The Wheaton, Ill., native has a team-high two interceptions this season in his first year as a starter in Evanston. He also has four tackles for loss, which are the third-most on Northwestern, and one fumble recovery.

The 6-foot-3 linebacker had a smaller role in his first two years at Northwestern. He played in one game in 2020 and then played in 11 of 12 games as a reserve in 2021.

Mueller was a three-star recruit who visited Iowa, but the Hawkeyes did not offer him a scholarship.

DL Adetomiwa Adebawore

Adetomiwa Adebawore has been a key part of Northwestern’s defensive line.

The senior from Kansas City has recorded a team-high four sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in 2022 and led the team in both statistics last year as well.

Adebawore was an all-Big Ten honorable mention last year and a Phil Steele second-team preseason all-Big Ten honoree this year.

At 6-2 and 280 pounds, Adebawore mostly lines up in the interior of the defensive line.

OL Peter Skoronski

Peter Skoronski has been a steady presence for Northwestern on the offensive line.

Since stepping foot in Evanston in 2020, he has started every game at left tackle and earned all-Big Ten honors every year.

He earned second-team recognition in 2020, becoming the first Northwestern freshman to accomplish the feat since 2017. Then he was a first-team selection by coaches and second-team selection by media in 2021.

Going into this season, Skoronski was an Associated Press preseason first-team All-American.

CBS Sports projects Skoronski to be the top offensive tackle in next year’s NFL Draft.

QB Brendan Sullivan

Iowa is not the only Big Ten West team to make a change at quarterback.

Northwestern benched incumbent Ryan Hilinski in favor of second-year quarterback Brendan Sullivan.

The former three-star recruit went 18-for-24 for 143 yards in his first start with one touchdown and two interceptions against Maryland.

Sullivan first played in the Wildcats’ 42-7 loss to Wisconsin after a Hilinski interception. He was 11-for-17 for 114 yards with one touchdown.

Fitzgerald described that performance as “gritty” and “gutsy,” according to the Daily Northwestern.

“I thought he did some things really well, and I also think it looked at times like it was his first time being out there,” Fitzgerald said.

Saturday’s game will be the toughest test of Sullivan’s young career. Wisconsin and Maryland rank 37th and 55th respectively in points allowed per game. Iowa, on the other hand, ranks eighth.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com