116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa football 2023 early opponent preview: Western Michigan
Another first-year head coach to lead Western Michigan into Kinnick this fall
Editor’s note: This is third in a 12-part series previewing Iowa’s 2023 football opponents.
IOWA CITY — One does not need to look far to see the parallels between the 2013 Western Michigan team that came to Kinnick and the 2023 Western Michigan team that will do so on Sept. 16.
Both groups had first-year head coaches. In 2013, it was P.J. Fleck. In 2023, it will be Lance Taylor.
In 2013, Iowa thrashed the Fleck-led Broncos, 59-3. In 2023, while the outcome is obviously not yet known, the Hawkeyes will again be facing a struggling Western Michigan team.
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) member is coming off a 5-7 season. All but two of the losses were by at least three possessions.
The Broncos’ 391.9 yards per game, 4.53 yards per play and 19 points per game were the worst marks in the MAC last year.
Jack Salopek handled most of Western Michigan’s passing duties last year, throwing for seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing only 49 percent of his throws.
Old Dominion transfer Hayden Wolff joined the quarterback room. Wolff threw for 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while completing 59 percent of his passes in his three seasons at ODU.
“We feel like he was one of the best QBs available in the transfer portal,” said Taylor, the WMU head coach, in a May news release.
Running back Keshawn King is among Western Michigan’s other transfer portal additions who could have an early impact. King was Virginia Tech’s leading rusher with 443 yards and 6.0 yards per carry.
King is replacing ex-Western Michigan running back Sean Tyler, who transferred to Minnesota. Tyler finished 2022 with 1,027 rushing yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry.
Western Michigan found success on the defensive side of the ball last year, ranking 38th nationally in yards allowed per game and 49th in points allowed per game.
Taylor retained defensive coordinator Lou Esposito from ex-coach Tim Lester’s staff, but many of the key players from last year’s defense are gone.
Defensive lineman Andre Carter, the team’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss last year, transferred to Indiana. Fellow defensive lineman Braden Fiske went to Florida State. Linebacker Ryan Selig went to Minnesota.
Iowa vs. Western Michigan: 3 things to watch
- What areas (on offense, defense or special teams) still need fine-tuning ahead of Big Ten play? The margin for error will be much slimmer the following week at Penn State, which could potentially be a top-five team.
- What can Keyshawn King add to Western Michigan’s offense? The former Virginia Tech running back’s contributions — whether it be on the ground or as a pass-catcher — will be crucial for Western Michigan’s chances of staying within striking distance of the Hawkeyes.
- How healthy are the Hawkeyes by the end of the game? With potentially the marquee game of the season one week later, the nonconference finale would be especially inopportune timing for any long-term injuries.
2023 prognosis
Western Michigan is a long shot to be competitive this year in the MAC, let alone on the road against an upper-tier Big Ten team like Iowa.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters