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Drew Stevens listed as Iowa’s starting kicker after Week 3 win
Nico Ragaini back on depth chart, but not Keagan Johnson
Sep. 19, 2022 2:33 pm, Updated: Sep. 20, 2022 10:05 am
IOWA CITY — Iowa football made a change in its Week 4 depth chart at kicker, listing true freshman Drew Stevens as the starter instead of sophomore Aaron Blom.
Stevens handled kickoffs through Iowa’s first two games, but the Nevada game was his first time handling field-goal duties as well.
The North Augusta, S.C., native was 2-for-2 on field goals, hitting from 43 yards in the second quarter and 33 yards in the third quarter.
The first attempt was amid subpar weather conditions, yet he kicked it through the uprights with ease.
Blom did not see action in Saturday’s win after going 1-for-3 on field goals in Iowa’s first two games. He connected from 46 yards, but missed from 40 and 48 yards.
The switch from Blom to Stevens is not necessarily permanent.
“I’ve been saying all along we’re probably going to ride the roller coaster a little bit,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said after the win over Nevada. “Aaron, you haven’t seen the last of him. He’s done a good job. We have two good kickers right now.”
Other depth chart notes
- Wide receiver Nico Ragaini is back on the depth chart after playing in Saturday’s 27-0 win, but Keagan Johnson is not. The sophomore wideout had two catches in his first game of 2022, but was not in uniform after the last lightning delay.
- Ferentz’s Monday depth charts have often significantly deviated from his in-game lineups, so his Tuesday press conference will be a better indicator of who will and won’t play against Rutgers. This is the first week when the offensive line starters reflect what Iowa has done in games.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
Iowa kicker Drew Stevens (18) kicks off during a game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
