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Iowa’s defense looks strong heading into 2016

Sports

April 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa had hoped that the return of star defensive end Drew Ott would fill out its defense. The Hawkeyes should be stout on that side of the ball anyway.

Iowa suffered its first major loss in 2016 when the NCAA denied Ott’s appeal for an extra year of eligibility because of a medical hardship. But the Hawkeyes should still have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten next fall, with seven starters back from a unit that allowed just 19 points a game last season.

Iowa, which went 12-2 and 8-0 in conference play last season, concluded spring practice with a scrimmage Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in which its defense outpaced its offense.