Iowa

Bohnenkamp: Iowa Football Surging in November Again

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2022

Bohnenkamp: Iowa Football Surging in November Again

IOWA CITY, Iowa – So, hey, that’s Iowa on the prime of the Huge Ten West Division standings.

Take a detailed look, as a result of the Hawkeyes are in a crowd — a four-way knot with Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota with two video games to play. However they’re there, and within the chill of one other November once they at all times appear to get up, they’ve an opportunity at back-to-back division crowns and actually, who would have thought that just a few weeks in the past?

Saturday’s 24-10 win over Wisconsin on the icebox often known as Kinnick Stadium has the Hawkeyes in place to get into place. Win subsequent week at Minnesota, and that knot on the prime loosens. Win the following two weeks, first towards the Gophers after which at house towards Nebraska, and Iowa could be heading again to the Huge Ten championship recreation in Indianapolis.

Yeah, it is a lot of enjoyable, this three-game profitable streak and the sudden revival of a group that appeared buried after the 54-10 loss to Ohio State just a few weeks in the past.

However don’t look forward, cautioned quarterback Spencer Petras.

“I believe it’s a complete waste of time for us to consider that, as a result of we’ve got to beat Minnesota group and Nebraska group developing,” Petras mentioned. “Contemplating the place issues had been a few weeks in the past, it’s nice. The second we set our sights on that, we’re doing ourselves a disservice. You possibly can’t do it.

“We nonetheless need to preserve our give attention to what’s essential.”

The Hawkeyes have made it clear that they by no means gave up when others appear to have left them within the disappointing also-ran class.

“We didn’t put our heads down and take into account the season as a failure,” security Kaevon Merriweather mentioned. “We saved working each day. We knew who we had been as a group and as a protection and offense, and our items simply got here collectively. We refuse to place our heads down. We need to preserve pushing.”

“Like I discussed final week, I really feel like we’ve got our greatest soccer to play, and I nonetheless imagine that,” tight finish Sam LaPorta mentioned. “Just a few weeks in the past, it simply wasn’t exhibiting but and I believe it’s beginning to flip round a bit bit. However we’ve got to maintain progressing.”

Now that is enjoyable. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has at all times emphasised November as the most effective month to be taking part in your finest. This win was the Hawkeyes’ thirteenth consecutive in November — the final loss coming at Wisconsin in 2019.

Remaining months of a season grow to be their very own crucible.

“Actually, group must be peaking in November,” Petras mentioned. “You do this by compound curiosity of months and months of labor. It’s been one thing our groups have executed lately, and we’ve got to proceed to do it, as a result of it pays off. That is when the video games actually matter. Chips are on the road.”

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A season that was as erratic as a cryptocurrency out of the blue appears stabilized. No, Iowa wasn’t excellent offensively on this recreation — they’d simply 146 yards and averaged 2.1 yards per play. However the Hawkeyes (6-4 total, 4-3 Huge Ten) gained this recreation with the presents they made for themselves.

Cornerback Cooper DeJean returned an interception for a landing, arrange one other rating with a 41-yard punt return, and that return was arrange by him and Jamison Heinz downing a Tory Taylor punt on the Wisconsin 1-yard line. Deontae Craig blocked a punt to place the Hawkeyes into place for an additional landing. And Iowa’s protection was higher than Wisconsin’s and on this rivalry the place factors are as valuable as votes nonetheless being counted from Tuesday’s Election Day, that at all times appears to matter.

“If we will win this recreation, we will need to earn it as a result of do not anticipate any freebies,” Ferentz mentioned. “We’re not going to get something straightforward out of this. We’ll need to exit and play and win it, earn it, or you are going to go house unhappy. We have had just a few of these, and it is not a lot enjoyable.”

“It’s the collective efforts each week,” LaPorta mentioned. “Placing the whole lot collectively to return away and get the win.”

The Hawkeyes have gained three consecutive video games after dropping three in a row.

“Lots of people these days have a glass jaw, and in the event that they get knocked on their butt, they don’t need to get again up,” LaPorta mentioned. “That three-game dropping streak, that was actually robust for us.”

This recreation was outlined by large performs, and DeJean appeared to be in on all of them.

“He’s a particular child and a particular participant,” linebacker Jack Campbell mentioned.

“His ceiling is the sky,” Merriweather mentioned.

DeJean, standing within the press-conference room as Merriweather spoke, simply shook his head, embarrassed on the reward.

“It’s a number of enjoyable,” he mentioned. “I like taking part in the sport of soccer, so any time I get to be out on the sector, I simply benefit from the second.”

It’s one other November second for the Hawkeyes, who’re at their finest when it wasn’t so way back they had been at their worst.

“I don’t know in the event you might have advised me a few weeks in the past that is what it might seem like, however we nonetheless have two video games forward of us and we’re blissful that we sort of have our destiny in our personal arms.

“Let’s see what we will do with it, a recreation at a time.”

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Iowa

Urquhart Sets Iowa’s Single-Season Aces Record at UCLA

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

LOS ANGELES – Senior Michelle Urquhart set Iowa’s single-season service aces record in the Hawkeyes’ 3-1 loss to UCLA on Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion. Iowa drops to 10-21 overall and 4-15 in the Big Ten.

Urquhart needed two aces to surpass the single-season rally scoring era record set by Becky Walters in 2010. With the third set tied at 10-10, Urquhart dropped in a soft serve to secure her 42nd ace on the season.

The senior from Virginia Beach, Virginia, also recorded a double-double, registering 13 kills and 12 digs. Freshman Dominique Phills and sophomore Hannah Whittingstall were in double-figures with 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Phills was a spark off the bench, drilling five kills in the opening set.

Senior libero Joy Galles notched a career high in digs, finishing with 24. She neared a double-double, tallying eight assists.

MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (UCLA, 25-23)
After trading points early on, the Hawkeyes strung together three consecutive points to take a 5-3 lead, courtesy of a kill and ace from Urquhart. UCLA answered with a run, pushing ahead 13-8. Phills was a spark off the bench, helping Iowa pull within two on several occasions. The Hawkeyes rallied all the way back in the opener, tying the set at 23-23 before the Bruins capitalized on back-to-back kills to win the set. UCLA had only one attacking error in the first set, while Iowa had seven.

SET TWO (UCLA, 25-11)
Despite gaining momentum at the end of the first set, Iowa fell behind 9-1 to begin the second. A timeout slowed the Bruins’ progress, but they gained early control of the set. Iowa chipped away in the middle of the set on terminations from Phills and UCLA errors. UCLA ended the set on a 5-0 run.

SET THREE (IOWA, 25-23)
Iowa quickly regrouped for a competitive set in the third. A kill from Whittingstall and ace from freshman Jenna Meitzler kept the pressure on UCLA early. Urquhart notched her record-setting ace, breaking a 10-10 tie in the third set. The teams headed into the media timeout with UCLA leading, 15-14. It wasn’t until late in the set before Iowa pulled away, using a 3-0 run to go up by two at 20-18, courtesy of kills from freshman Malu Garcia and Phills. After a UCLA timeout fueled back-to-back points for the Bruins, Iowa sealed the set with a kill from Whittingstall and error from UCLA.

Mickey’s record-setting ace! 💛#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/PlUu17YR2R
— Iowa Volleyball (@IowaVolleyball) November 28, 2024

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝗲𝘀 👑
With Michelle’s second ace tonight, she has set the program record for service aces in a season during the rally scoring era (42).#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/fimM7XstTc
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— Iowa Volleyball (@IowaVolleyball) November 28, 2024

SET FOUR (UCLA, 25-15)
UCLA recovered and regained momentum, leading 6-2 to begin set four. A pair of kills from Urquhart and a termination from Garcia brought Iowa back within one at 7-6. The Hawkeyes stayed within striking distance but could not take the lead in the set. The Bruins used a run in the middle of the set to take control. A block from senior Anna Davis and Garcia stopped the run at 19-13. UCLA finished the set on a 5-1 run to win the match.

UP NEXT: Iowa heads across town for its season finale, battling No. 20 USC on Friday evening. First serve is set for 9 p.m. (CT) from the Galen Center. The match will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.

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Iowa

Iowa Legend Sends Strong Message In Midst of Brutal Season

Published

9 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Iowa Legend Sends Strong Message In Midst of Brutal Season

Former Iowa Hawkeyes star George Kittle is in the midst of what has to be the most trying season of his NFL career.

Kittle’s San Francisco 49ers—who were Super Bowl contenders heading into 2024—fell to just 5-6 with their loss to the Green Bay Packer this past Sunday, further hindering their playoff chances.

However, the tight end is not giving up hope in the midst of severe adversity.

“My optimism is not broken by any means,” Kittle told reporters. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back. And I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays, and I got no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind, and going to see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.”

You have to love Kittle’s fighting spirit, but it seems hard to imagine the 49ers righting the ship in their current predicament.

San Francisco is dealing with a plethora of injury issues up and down the roster, which includes quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed the Packers game with a shoulder problem.

Kittle himself had a strong performance in Week 12, logging six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He has also been his usual impressive self overall this season, totaling 49 receptions for 642 yards and eight scores in nine appearances.

But not even Kittle can save the Niners from all of their current troubles.

The 49ers will face the Buffalo Bills in a matchup that could ultimately decide their playoff fate this Sunday.

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No. 17 Iowa State tries to keep focus on Kansas State, not the many Big 12 title game scenarios

Published

17 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

No. 17 Iowa State tries to keep focus on Kansas State, not the many Big 12 title game scenarios

No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.

That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.

Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”

If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.

So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.

“The kids know,” he said.

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel

Going for 10

The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.

“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.

Up and running

K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.

“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.

Cold, but no snow

Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.

“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”

K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”

“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”