It’s not a shock to anyone that the Iowa Hawkeyes love using their tight ends. They use them extensively in the passing game and also rely heavily on them in the ground game out of 12 personnel, which features one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.
That personnel grouping and the success Iowa has seen from it is why there is some noise about the injury to tight end Addison Ostrenga and him missing the upcoming game against the Washington Huskies.
In typical Iowa fashion, the Hawkeyes will not change what they do. Rather, they will look to the next man up and rely on them. Kirk Ferentz discussed how Iowa plans to handle Ostrenga’s role this weekend.
“Yeah, Zach will be the next guy up, and Hayden has done an unbelievably great job. Talk about Deontae and Hayden, I’d say the same thing about them, just a really positive guy, and I’m so glad he’s here. I’m still not sure how he ended up here, but I’m really glad he is here because he’s really been a big contributor for us.
“Johnny Pascuzzi has played a lot of football for us, same situation a year ago. He really improved in the spring. He had a really good spring. He’s been growing all the way through it. Doesn’t say much. Always looks like he hasn’t shaved in three days. I’m not sure how he keeps that growth the way he does. He practices really well, and he’ll do a good job, too.
“Hopefully we won’t lose anyone else, but we’ll continue to be who we are, how we are, how we play,” Ferentz said in regards to Iowa’s plan.
The trio of Hayden Large, Johnny Pascuzzi, and Zach Ortwerth will assume to duties and work to pick up Ostrenga’s duties.
Hayden Large has registered two carries for two yards in his career but has hauled in six receptions for 37 yards. Pascuzzi has one reception for one yard and Ortwerh has three career receptions for 89 yards.
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