Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season delivered the usual mix of fireworks and tense finishes, and a few former Hawkeyes found their way into the spotlight even on a quieter day for Iowa football alumni.
Tristan Wirfs helped set the tone in Tampa Bay’s 43-13 win over the Panthers. The 27-year-old left tackle was part of a Buccaneers front that controlled the game from start to finish.
Tampa Bay piled up 258 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaged 5.3 yards per carry, and kept Baker Mayfield clean throughout the afternoon. Wirfs and the rest of the offensive line were a major reason why the Buccaneers looked so comfortable.
In Minnesota, T.J. Hockenson made sure his name landed on National Tight Ends Day in the right way.
The former Iowa tight end caught the game’s lone Vikings touchdown in a 16-10 win over the Colts, finishing with four receptions for 35 yards and the score. His fourth-quarter grab gave Minnesota the lead and held up as the difference.
It was Hockenson’s second touchdown of the season.
George Kittle also had a productive day, even though San Francisco came up short in a 29-20 loss to the Falcons. He led the 49ers with eight catches for 88 yards, and he kept making plays all game long. Kittle did have an untimely fumble in the fourth quarter, but he still finished with another strong line and now has 34 receptions for 425 yards and five touchdowns through seven games.
In Other News...
Iowa Is Already Sending A Clear Message About Tradon Bessinger
Even without a path to the field this season, Tradon Bessinger is already being brought into Iowas daily football rhythm. The four-star freshman quarterback is traveling with the Hawkeyes and getting exposed to the teams game-day routines, part of an early effort to help him adjust to the college game and understand what the program expects long before he is asked to help it on Saturdays.
Kirk Ferentz made it clear the staff views Bessinger as a future player, and the way Iowa is handling his first year reflects that long view. For a program that has always leaned on patience and development at quarterback, the message is straightforward: Bessinger is being introduced to the environment now, even if there is no sign he will be called on for action this fall. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Freshman Jaidyn Coon Already Faces A Tough Path To Minutes
Jaidyn Coons first taste of Iowa basketball came in an exhibition setting, and the early read was pretty simple: there is a long way to go before minutes come easy. The incoming freshman from Storm Lake, who arrived with the pedigree of a recent Iowa Mr. Basketball and a high school rsum that included leading his team to state tournament appearances, got about four minutes off the bench as the Hawkeyes started sorting out roles and rotation depth.
For Coon, the challenge is less about proving he belongs and more about carving out a lane on a wing that already has bodies competing for time. Iowa is hoping his energy and athleticism can become an asset off the bench, but for now he is trying to make every brief opportunity count while the staff figures out how his game fits into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawkeyes Suddenly Have A Real Opening In Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Citys first loss of the 2026-2027 season came with an injury-depleted roster, and it also created an opening for two former Hawkeyes who have spent the early part of the year waiting for a real look. Bennett Stirtz and Josh Dix both logged meaningful minutes against Dallas, giving Iowa fans a familiar connection to a Thunder team suddenly short on bodies and searching for answers.
Stirtz, who was acquired in the 2026 NBA Draft, finished with 8 points, while Dix, the undrafted guard who signed a two-way contract with Oklahoma City, got on the scoreboard for the first time in the NBA. With Jalen Williams already out for the season and four starters unavailable in all, the Thunders thin rotation may have just turned into a surprising opportunity for both ex-Hawkeyes to prove they belong. [Read more 🡒]