Skip to main content
Join Now
Get a profile. Be recruited.

Iowa fan reported missing after conclusion of Saturday's football game vs. Oregon

by: Alex Byington5 hours ago_AlexByington
Kinnick Stadium(1)
The view from Kinnick Stadium. (Photo: Tory Brecht)

The University of Iowa Police department is asking for help finding a 73-year-old fan that is missing after being separated from his family while leaving Kinnick Stadium following Saturday’s game against Oregon. The elderly Iowa fan hasn’t been seen or heard from since around 6 pm CT Saturday.

Jerome “Jerry” Lepperd is a 5-foot-9 and 170-pound adult male with blue eyes and light hair with a bandage on his forehead following a recent surgery, the University of Iowa Police statement read. Lepperd was last seen wearing glasses and a black rain jacket with black pants and black tennis shoes. He may also have had a dark blue beanie or stocking cap.

The University of Iowa police provided a picture below:

Lepperd is reportedly unfamiliar with the Iowa City area and may become easily confused or disoriented. And while he did not have access to a vehicle, he was believed to be headed to the Hancher parking lot outside Kinnick Stadium. Anyone with information about Lepperd’s whereabouts are asked to contact the University of Iowa Police Department at 319-335-5022.

As evident by the picture and Lepperd’s attire, the Iowa-Oregon game was innundated by unfavorable weather conditions including heavy rain throughout the day with temperatures dipping into the low 40s by the end of the game. An overnight low of 25 was also expected.

No. 9 Oregon (8-1, 5-1 B10) withstood a fourth-quarter comeback effort that saw No. 20 Iowa actually pull ahead 16-15 with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter. But the proved more than enough time for the Ducks, as kicker Atticus Sappington nailed a game-winning 39-yard field goal with 3 seconds remaining for an 18-16 road win inside Kinnick Stadium on Saturday night. The loss dropped the Hawkeyes to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play this season.

Iowa adds John Deere logo to Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium

The University of Iowa and John Deere have extended their partnership, the school announced on Oct. 23. As a result, a John Deere logo now appears on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa is just the latest program to put a company’s logo on the field, joining plenty of others across power conference football.

“We are incredibly grateful for John Deere’s continued support of the University of Iowa and our athletics program,” Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz said in a statement. “This partnership brings together two national brands with deep roots in the state of Iowa. We are excited to build on that momentum and look forward to a long-term relationship.

According to the statement, the partnership goes beyond athletic events. Iowa and John Deere are also working together to create academic initiatives and programs across campus. The likes of scholarships, internships, and research opportunities are being provided by John Deere.

“We are excited to highlight an iconic brand that is the perfect fit for Iowa Athletics and proudly display the John Deere logo on the field at home football games and other events at Kinnick Stadium,” Vice President and General Manager of Hawkeye Sports Properties Gabe Aguirre said.

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.