Cedar Rapids Xavier had big footprint in Iowa’s stout defensive performance against Northwestern

IOWA CITY — With three former Cedar Rapids Xavier standouts on Iowa’s defense as upperclassmen (and all in either first or second-team roles), Duane Schulte had a thought during the summer.

“How cool it’d be to have all three of those guys, all three Xavier boys, on the field at the same time,” the longtime Xavier football coach remembers thinking.

Fast-forward to Iowa’s 40-14 win over Northwestern, and that moment finally happened. Defensive end Ethan Hurkett, Leo linebacker Jaxon Rexroth and free safety Quinn Schulte were all on the field for the Hawkeyes early during Northwestern’s first drive of the game.

“There might have been a time when my brother Bryce, me and Hurkett were out there maybe, but I noticed that today too with Rex being out there,” Quinn Schulte said. “So it was really cool. I’m sure my dad and all the coaches at Xavier were really proud.”

Duane Schulte, speaking to The Gazette on Saturday evening after the win, was “really happy for all of Xavier.”

“Goes to show what kind of community we have and especially goes to show you what kind of parents those kids have,” Duane Schulte said. “Especially for No. 30 (Quinn), his mom, because she’s the key for him.”

It was particularly unique considering each of them had first-team roles on Saturday. Hurkett and Quinn Schulte have been starters throughout the season. Rexroth stepped into a first-team role (while technically not starting because Iowa started in its five-defensive-back Cash formation) because Kyler Fisher was out with an illness.

“I don’t know if we ever had three guys like that,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said of having three first-team defensive players from the same high school. “That’s a good question.”

The former Saints made some key contributions for the Hawkeyes on Saturday. Most notably, Quinn Schulte grabbed his second interception of the season. Hurkett also had four tackles, including a tackle in the first quarter that netted a seven-yard loss.

“Xavier. Football,” Nick Jackson said as he and fellow linebacker Jay Higgins talked about Schulte’s interception. (Higgins called Schulte the “unsung hero,” too.)

Duane Schulte has seen all three develop “in terms of their physical growth, their mental growth and their spiritual growth.”

“I’ve seen all of them grow tremendously — obviously Quinn the most because he’s around us more,” Duane Schulte said. “But Jaxon and Ethan both are just quality young men, come from great families. And all three of them are great students and more importantly great human beings that do the right things.”

Iowa’s defense as a whole showed major improvements in the win over Northwestern, allowing only 163 total yards and forcing three turnovers. The Wildcats’ only two touchdowns were a pick-six and a punt return for a touchdown.

Ferentz described it as “one of the stranger shutouts that you’ll see that way.” Strangeness aside, it was a shutout that included three players who previously went to school on 42nd Street NE in Cedar Rapids.

“Those guys really worked hard today,” Ferentz said. “It was good to get back on our feet. That felt more like the way we want to do things.”

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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