5 players to watch in Iowa football’s game at Wisconsin

IOWA CITY — Iowa football’s only worry last week was rest and recover. Now, the Hawkeyes have their opportunity to visit the Badgers’ den fresh off a bye week.

Wisconsin had its chance to make a statement against Michigan, but it fell short. The Badgers’ halftime lead quickly faltered, ending in a 24-10 loss on the road.

Now, Wisconsin has four ranked games over the next six matchups. Iowa may not be one of those ranked opponents, but the Hawkeyes kick off this tough stretch.

There’s one problem, however: both teams have very important questions to answer ahead of kickoff.

The Hawkeyes’ fourth night game of the season doesn’t have confirmed starting quarterbacks — for either team. Iowa hasn’t made an announcement on the status of Mark Gronowski, though he was listed on the team’s depth chart, and Wisconsin had one of its quarterbacks make his Badgers debut against the Wolverines.

With that, and a few other injuries still up in the air, here are a few Badgers to look for in the annual Heartland Trophy matchup Saturday night.

QB Hunter Simmons

With graduate quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. dealing with a knee injury, redshirt freshman Hunter Simmons has taken over at quarterback for the Badgers.

Simmons started out as a third string signal caller at Wisconsin, behind Edwards Jr. and Danny O’Neil. In a surprise to most Badgers fans, head coach Luke Fickell announced Simmons won the starting job over O’Neil.

“Over the bye week, we gave him an opportunity,” Fickell said in a pregame radio interview. “Both guys competed. Both guys have their strong suits, but just for where we are and what we needed, we thought Hunter gave us the best opportunity.”

Simmons was 18-for-29 with 177 passing yards and one interception and had one rush for -12 yards against the Wolverines.

RB Dilin Jones

Wisconsin’s leading rusher had 17 carries against Michigan last week, for a total 63 yards and scored a touchdown. However, redshirt freshman Dilin Jones already has recorded more than 200 rushing yards this season.

Most of Jones’ receiving yards are short, with his season high at just six yards this season. The 6-foot running back is difficult to tackle, though. He scored the opening touchdown against Michigan, pummeling his way through two defenders before falling into the end zone.

Jones’ stature helps, listed at 208 pounds, particularly while Wisconsin doesn’t have starting center Jake Renfro to help create additional gaps at the line of scrimmage.

LB Christian Alliegro

Junior linebacker Christian Alliegro is Wisconsin’s leading tackler, recording 20 solo tackles and 10 assists. Of those 30 total tackles, he leads the team with four tackles-for-loss — forcing teams back another 20 yards. He’s also recorded two sacks this season.

Alliegro doesn’t have any recorded pass break ups or turnovers this season.

Wisconsin has one of the best run defenses in the country, allowing just 75 yards per game. The only Big Ten school better? The Hawkeyes.

LB Mason Reiger

Graduate outside linebacker Mason Reiger is the only other player on Wisconsin’s defense with two sacks. The Badgers have recorded 12 across their entire defense, but it’s been spread out among 11 players.

Reiger had a TFL against Michigan, and also recorded a season-high five tackles against the Wolverines. He didn’t play throughout the 2024 season because of injury before transferring to Wisconsin, but had spent four years at Louisville. Now, Reiger is on pace to surpass his career-high tackles (22) in his final collegiate season.

WR Vinny Anthony II

Wisconsin’s most popular receiver only scored one touchdown so far, but he averages 51.6 receiving yards per game. He recorded his first 90-plus receiving yard performance against Michigan, and has caught a season-long 31-yard pass.

He’s also the team’s kick returner, averaging 33.2 return yards per game. The season-long was a 95-yard return that ended in a touchdown against Alabama on Sept. 13.

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