Chauncey Golston is a lot more than Iowa’s other defensive end
By Pat Harty
EVANSTON, Ill. – Iowa defensive ends A.J. Epenesa and Chauncey Golston had very little in common as high school recruits.
While Epenesa had a Who’s Who list of schools hoping to sign him as a five-star recruit, Golston only had three scholarship offers from Iowa, Cincinnati and Western Michigan.
And yet there they both were on Saturday helping to pave the way to a 20-0 victory over Northwestern at rain-soaked Ryan Field.
Epenesa, as usual, did his part by recording five tackles and by applying constant pressure in the pocket, but it was Golston who stood out more on defense with 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception in the first quarter.
Golston is considered to be Iowa’s other defensive end, and rightfully so because Epenesa is a special talent with a proven track record.
But it now seems obvious after Saturday’s game that Iowa has two defensive ends who are special.
That hardly is news to Iowa right tackle Tristan Wirfs because he competes against Golston in practice every day and knows just how talented and determined he is as a football player.
“Going against Chauncey every day is a pleasure,” Wirfs said. “He pushes me, I push him. But just seeing what he does every day and the leadership role he has taken, especially on defense, it’s pretty special.
“He comes to work every day and does his job. He leads the d-line. In one-on-ones, we battle like crazy. It’s some good one-on-ones.”
Golston said he started thinking of holding Northwestern scoreless on Saturday before exiting from the Iowa team bus.
He told the media after Saturday’s game that Iowa had practiced well throughout the week and he felt confident that it would carry over to the game.
And he was right.
Golston and his defensive cohorts held Northwestern to just 202 yards, including 64 rushing yards.
That was in contrast to last season when Northwestern shredded Iowa for 184 rushing yards during a 14-10 victory at Kinnick Stadium.
“Practice this week, it was just crazy,” Golston said. “The tempo was great and everyone was flying around and we came out and we did the same thing today.”
Golston’s interception came on Northwestern’s third play from scrimmage in the first quarter.
Iowa defensive tackle Brady Reiff tipped the pass at the line of scrimmage and Golston was in the right place at the right time to make his second career interception.
The Detroit native also had an interception against Mississippi State in the Outback Bowl.
“That’s all credit to Brady Reiff,” Golston said. “He tipped the ball. If he didn’t tip the ball, I don’t intercept the ball. So he gets all the credit on that one.”
The Iowa coaches should get credit for believing in Golston when so few others did.
He is the latest in a long and distinguished list of unheralded recruits who have thrived at Iowa under head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Golston got his feet wet last season while playing as a reserve and that helped him prepare for a bigger role this season as a starter.
“Good players get better, that’s what they’re supposed to do,” Kirk Ferentz said. “Chauncey is hardly a grizzled veteran right. He’s played on pass-rush situations and now he’s playing a lot more. He’s playing down over the guard.
“So it’s fun to watch these guys continue to move and grow and move in the right direction. If our good guys are getting better, that certainly gives us a chance.”
Golston showed flashes of brilliance last season while being used mostly as a pass rusher.
He was Iowa’s fourth option at defensive end last season behind Epenesa and behind former starters Parker Hesse and Anthony Nelson.
But as Golston’s role has increased this season, so has his impact on the field.
He has a knack for getting to the quarterback, but he also has been effective against the run.
“Coming from last year I was like a 25 snap per game guy, and now I’m like a 60-plus,” Golston said. “In the first game, it was kind of shocking because I’ve seen Anthony do it, and Parker, but to be out there and experience it yourself, it takes a little (time) to get used to.”
Iowa's defense still hasn't allowed an opponent to score over 20 points in a game this season, and Golston is a big reason why.
You knew what Iowa had with the hard-charging Epenesa, who made first-team All-Big Ten last season as a reserve, but there was uncertainty surrounding Golston, mostly because he hadn't played enough to know for sure.
But now eight games into the season, Golston has shown that he is more than just Iowa's other defensive end.
The defense had to come through on Saturday because the Iowa offense struggled at times, and was wthout starting receiver Brandon Smith and startinv tight end Nate Wieting due to injuries.
True freshman Sam LaPorta filled in admirably for Wieting at tight end, and some of the pressure was lifted from the offense with the defense pitching its second shutout of the season.
Iowa also defeated Rutgers 30-0 in the Big Ten opener on Sept. 7th at Kinnick Stadium.
Golston and Epenesa are proof that recruits from all levels can excel at Iowa if they work hard, do as their told and put the team first.
Golston knew his time would come at some point, and he stayed the course, accepting whatever role he was given.
Instead of being jealous of Epenesa’s celebrity status, Golston has just kept working and getting better.
And now he is being rewarded for his patience and persistence.