The Iowa defensive line has been a force in 2025. Through five games, the unit has nine of the Hawkeyes' 12 sacks.

"We just got to be stout, and come off the ball, and be ready to go," said Aaron Graves, an Iowa defensive lineman. "I think the connectiveness and the camaraderie we have in this group is really special, and it's probably been the best since I've been here. It's really nice to see. It's not just a job to us where we show up here and then we go our separate ways. We enjoy hanging out with each other outside of football."

"The different personalities of the guys we have (helps)," said Ethan Hurkett, an Iowa defensive lineman. "I think we all get along and mesh well."

The defensive line, though, has a unique way of getting itself ready for game days.

"The d-line will have a

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