Amani Hooker seems up for the huge challenge on Saturday night
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa sophomore safety Amani Hooker has lots of reasons to be nervous this week under the circumstances.
The Minneapolis native faces a daunting task on Saturday night when fourth-ranked Penn State rolls into Iowa City.
Hooker is expected to make his first career start at free safety against a diverse and explosive Penn State offense that is averaging 47 points and 469 yards after three games.
The Nittany Lions (3-0) also feature Heisman Trophy candidate Saquon Barkley at running back. Barkley shredded Iowa's defense for 211 total yards and two touchdowns during a 41-14 victory over the Hawkeyes last season in State College, Pa.
But even with all of Penn State's firepower and experience, Hooker seems unfazed by the challenge ahead.
He has worked extensively with the starters in practice and is surrounded by veteran leadership, including senior linebackers Josey Jewell, Bo Bower and Ben Niemann and senior strong safety Miles Taylor.
"I feel comfortable," Hooker said to the media on Tuesday. "We split the ones and twos in practice so being out there with Josey and Bo and Ben and Miles it wasn’t really much of a change. I think it’s going to be fun. I’m excited. I always watched it growing up, night games and now I’m actually going to be part of it so I think it’s going to be a fun time.”
Hooker has embraced Iowa's one-game-at-a-time approach under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Penn State is the only game that matters right now, but only because it's the next game and not because it's Penn State.
“I think it’s just another game for him,” Jewell said. “That’s kind of how you have to go about it, even though it’s against a really good team. It’s just all about the basics and focusing on what he has to do. We’ll try to get him most of the calls and we’ll try and help him out here and there but I think he’ll be fine.”
Hooker saw action in all 13 of Iowa’s games as a true freshman last season. That allowed him to gain valuable experience in a way that isn't possible for players at other positions.
"Yeah, exactly," Ferentz said. "He played on special teams. Quarterbacks can't play on special teams, linemen typically don't, but at least with a safety and linebacker, they've got a chance to get out there, maybe help the team in other ways, and that's a real positive."
Barkley isn't the only threat in Penn State's offense. Junior quarterback Trace McSorley also presents a challenge with his ability to run and extend plays outside of the pocket.
For Hooker, playing on special teams lst season as true freshman helped to prepare him for Penn State's speed and quickness.
“I think it helped with knowing the speed,” Hooker said. “I was on special teams last year a couple times, so I think it helped me get used to the speed and how fast and strong guys are.”
Before Iowa's 31-14 victory over North Texas last Saturday when he replaced a struggling Jake Gervase, Hooker had mostly seen action in nickel and dime packages this season.
Junior cornerback Josh Jackson expects Hooker’s versatility to pay dividends on Saturday, assuming he can stay under control in what should be a wild night-game atmosphere at Kinnick Stadium.
“He’s a playmaker,” Jackson said of Hooker, who was a finalist for "Mr. Football" in Minnesoat as a high school senior.. “He’s really athletic. He can go up and get the ball. He’s been doing that in camp, making plays in camp. I’m expecting him to come out and do the same thing in the game.
“He’s a really good cover guy one on one. He can play in the slot, he can play outside so it makes him a more complete player being able to play those positions. He’s just got to be composed and prepare the same way he’s been preparing since the season started. I think he’ll be fine.”
If his calm demeanor on Tuesday carries into Saturday's game, Hooker should have no problem handling the pressure that comes with playing a top-five team under the lights.
“Just communication,” Hooker said when asked what he has to do on Saturday. “Making sure I’m getting my calls across the board and just playing fast and hitting what I see. Nothing major.”