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The entire Iowa Hawkeyes’ roster will be looking to players like former Lena-Winslow star Gennings Dunker and former Byron standout Tyler Elsbury to help the offense turn things around when their New Year’s Day Citrus Bowl matchup with Tennessee arrives.
After an impressive 10-2 regular season, the Hawkeyes were blown out — and the offense was shut out — during a 26-0 loss to Michigan on Dec. 2 in the Big Ten Championship game. But now they have a shot at redemption with a solid bowl game matchup, and the two Rockford-area locals who have been providing a spark on the offensive line are hoping they can help swing things around in the season finale.
“Our confidence has never been gone, but we know we’ve got to do some things differently in this one. We know we have to be better,” said Dunker, the former Lena-Winslow star lineman who has been starting at offensive tackle all season long. “And it’s very important that we go out with a win, now. I really want to win this one, for my guys, and for my coaches, this one is big.”
The No. 17 Hawkeyes will play No. 21 Tennessee on Jan. 1 in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. And the pair of redshirt sophomores from the Rockford area could be key to Iowa’s possible turnaround.
“Obviously we didn’t play well in the Big Ten Championship Game, but we’re ready for Tennessee,” said Elsbury, who filled in at center for two-plus games late in the season, and is now rotating in at guard. “This game is a big deal for us. It’s important for us to go out there and perform the way we know we can.”
Locals on Iowa’s line: Former Lena-Winslow, Byron linemen now helping to drive Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense
How can they help?
Dunker, listed at 6-5, 320 pounds, rotated in at guard some last season for the Hawkeyes, but he has been the team’s starting right tackle all season this year. Elsbury, at…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gennings-dunker-tyler-elsbury-plan-103156414.html
Author : Rockford Register Star
Publish date : 2023-12-29 10:31:56
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