Iowa

Five Iowa State players who've improved the most heading into Saturday's Cy-Hawk showdown

Published

2 hours ago

September 2, 2024

Five Iowa State players who've improved the most heading into Saturday's Cy-Hawk showdown

Darien Porter stands for a photo during Iowa State Football media day at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. © Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

AMES — Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel dazzled fans with his strong hands and fluid speed in his team’s 21-3 season-opening win over North Dakota last Saturday. Fellow receiver Jayden Higgins did the same whenever the Cyclones needed a big play. And quarterback Rocco Becht showcased the explosiveness and efficiency he’s known for, averaging 13.4 yards per completion and throwing for two touchdowns — one each to Higgins and Noel.

So the Cyclones’ established stars fully lived up to their respective billings in week one, but it’s the players who operate in relative obscurity who often determine a season’s fate and several less-known contributors will be key in week two against intrastate rival Iowa at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS) in Iowa City.

“I think our greatest growth — I’ve always felt this way — is between week one and week two,” ISU head coach Matt Campbell said.

In that vein, here are five (among several) Cyclones who have improved considerably from last season to this season and must continue to do so this weekend and beyond.

Cornerback Jontez Williams

The 5-11, 200-pound sophomore from Starke, Fla., led ISU in tackles in the season-opener with 11. That nearly doubled his previous career output (6) and showed that Williams is ready to shine at corner along with Myles Purchase and Darien Porter this season now that T.J. Tampa’s in the NFL. Williams did draw a flag for pass interference in the game, but otherwise his coverage was solid and should keep getting better.

“He is an elite performer,” Campbell said. “And I think the consistency that he comes to work with every single day allows him to have great confidence.”

Cornerback/special teams star Darien Porter

Campbell’s repeatedly said that Porter’s special teams prowess alone could land him in the NFL. Now the former track star from Bettendorf — and converted wide receiver — has fully mastered the techniques to excel at cornerback, too. The 6-4, 200-pounder made his first career start in last Saturday’s win and provided taut coverage as well as a big special teams play when he downed a Jace Gilbert punt at the Fighting Hawks’ three-yard line.

“We should also talk about his performance because he was elite,” Campbell said.

Kicker/punter Jace Gilbert

The 5-11, 205-pound sophomore from Marlow, Okla., has provided the Cyclones’ program with a portrait of perseverance throughout his career, and even though he’s not a starter, he’s carved out an important role this season after redshirting in 2023. Gilbert’s ISU’s designated short-yardage or “pooch” punter and both of his punts last Saturday were downed inside the 20-yard line. The Cyclones’ former starter as a true freshman also kicked off once for a touchback, so his value to the team has shot upward since last season. And fun fact: Gilbert made his first career field goal attempt in ISU’s 10-7 win over the Hawkeyes two seasons ago.

“We don’t give up on people in our program,” Campbell said of Gilbert, who went 7-for-13 on field goals as a freshman. “What that young man has done — and obviously what he overcame was hard as a freshman.”

Running back Carson Hansen

The 6-2 sophomore’s bulked up to 220 pounds and will be ISU’s No. 1 short-yardage option at tailback. Hansen shined in that area last Saturday, providing a pair of tough runs for third-down conversions and he’s also a skilled pass catcher. Hansen complements home-run hitter Abu Sama perfectly and his ability to shine in pass protection will make him a prominent player against Iowa and beyond.

“Just to see him grow — to grow mentally, to grow physically — a lot of it’s a mindset,” said first-year assistant head coach/running backs coach Tyler Roehl.

Wide receiver Jaylin Noel

It’s important to circle back to Noel, who recorded his first 100-yard receiving game since the 2022 season in the win over North Dakota. He may already be a star, but he’s still markedly improved both as a pass catcher and a leader in the locker room.

“He has, from year one to year four, been one of the most complete football players we’ve had in our program during my time here,” Campbell said.

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Iowa

Meet the nominees for Press-Citizen’s Athletes of the Week, Aug. 26-Sept. 1

Published

9 hours ago

September 2, 2024

Press Room

Meet the nominees for Press-Citizen’s Athletes of the Week, Aug. 26-Sept. 1

Week 1 of Iowa high school football is in the books, and it didn’t disappoint. Let’s not forget about cross country and volleyball that brought all of the action this past week.

Here are the nominees for the Iowa City Press-Citizen’s high school Athletes of the Week for Aug. 26-Sept. 1. Press-Citizen.com readers vote to decide this week’s winners. Voting closes at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name:

Stream Iowa HS football games on the NFHS Network

Boys

Landon Bell, Jr., Iowa City Liberty

The Friday night lights weren’t too bright for Bell, who made plays on both sides of the ball in Iowa City Liberty’s win over Iowa City West in Week 1.

The third-year playmaker totaled 12 tackles and an interception. He also caught a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Butali Butali, Sr., Iowa City West

Despite falling short to Iowa City Liberty in Week 1, Butali was still a workhorse on the ground for Iowa City West.

He rushed for 119 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.

Owen Drapeaux, Sr., Iowa City Liberty

It was the Owen Drapeaux show during Liberty’s 56-45 win over Iowa City West on Aug. 29.

Drapeaux rushed for 171 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns. His showing helped the Lightning earn their first win over the Trojans in program history.

Eddie Johnson, Sr., Solon

Johnson answered the call during Solon’s 33-7 win over Assumption in Week 1.

The fourth year running back rushed for 120 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. He led the Spartans with 9.2 yards per carry.

Tate Wallace, Soph., Regina Catholic

Wallace made a statement in the air in Week 1 against West Liberty.

The second-year Regal snatched six receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown in Regina’s 42-28 win over the Comets.

Girls

Sophia Austen, Soph., Iowa City West

Austen made her mark for the Iowa City West volleyball team during its first win of the season against No. 8 Dubuque Senior on Thursday.

According to Varsity Bound, Austen totaled 10 kills, seven digs and two aces in a sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-17) over the Rams.

Sydney Dee, Sr. Solon

Dee helped the Solon girls cross country team clinch a first-place team title at the Anomosa Meet on Saturday by placing third individually.

She completed the 5-kilometer race in 21 minutes, 16.8 seconds.

Kaitlin Loria, Soph. Iowa City High

Loria helped lead Iowa City High volleyball to its third win of the season in a 2-0 victory (21-18, 21-14) over Council Bluffs Lincoln on Thursday.

The second-year Little Hawk totaled a team-high seven kills in the win. The Little Hawks swept the Johnston Quad, earning wins over Council Bluffs Lincoln, Marion and Johnston.

Averie Lower, Jr., Clear Creek Amana

Lower played a big role in CCA’s tournament win at Grinnell Community Senior High School on Saturday.

According to Varsity Bound, Lower earned 12 kills and 11 digs. The Clippers earned wins over Urbandale, Washington, Dallas Center-Grimes and Carlisle before topping Grinnell in the championship match. They improved to 5-1 on the season.

Kinley Mai, Fresh., Solon

Mai also contributed to Solon’s team title victory at the Anomosa cross country meet on Saturday.

Individually, she placed fourth behind Dee with a time of 21 minutes, 16.8 seconds in the 5-kilometer race.

Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.

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Iowa

Iowa lands four-star WR Terrence Smith after best offensive outing in five years

Published

17 hours ago

September 2, 2024

Press Room

Iowa lands four-star WR Terrence Smith after best offensive outing in five years

IOWA CITY, Iowa — One day after Iowa’s offense put up a five-year high of 492 yards in a 40-0 win against Illinois State, the Hawkeyes landed Class of 2025 four-star wide receiver Terrence Smith, who announced his decision on Sunday afternoon through multiple social media platforms.

Smith, who stands 6 foot 4 and weighs 175 pounds, visited Iowa and Minnesota in June, and his decision came down to those longtime rivals. Purdue and Iowa State also were involved in the pursuit of the West Aurora (Ill.) High School product. According to the 247Sports Composite, Smith is ranked as the nation’s No. 47 receiver and No. 326 overall prospect, and the No. 8 prospect in the state of Illinois.

The Hawkeyes, who will sign a smaller than usual class in 2025, rank No. 40 in the composite class rankings with only 15 commits, but six are four-star prospects. Smith is the only receiver commit in the class.

Last year at West Aurora, Smith caught 59 passes for 906 yards and 11 scores. On Friday, he caught one pass for 11 yards and a touchdown in a 53-0 win during which West Aurora completed only three passes.

Smith is a three-sport athlete whom Iowa had targeted for two years. He averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last basketball season and finished sixth in the high jump (6-5) at the Illinois state track meet.

GO DEEPER

Iowa’s recruiting focus in the Chicago area pays dividends on both sides

What does this mean for Iowa?

Recently, Iowa has turned to the transfer portal for help at receiver, and the Hawkeyes have targeted only Smith in the 2025 class. He has the size to play outside but is athletic enough to compete for snaps at any of Iowa’s slots.

Iowa recruits Illinois like there is no state border, and the Hawkeyes have landed six of the state’s top 32 prospects for 2025, including No. 1 Iose Epenesa and three more in the top 11. Five of those commits are Chicagoland area prospects, not including preferred walk-on quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald, the son of former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. Every Illinois prospect who visited Iowa in June committed to the Hawkeyes.

(Photo: Jeffrey Becker / USA Today)

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Iowa

Millstream Brewing hosts annual Iowa Craft Beer Bash

Published

1 day ago

September 1, 2024

Press Room

Millstream Brewing hosts annual Iowa Craft Beer Bash

AMANA, Iowa (KCRG) – Breweries and distilleries from around the Hawkeye State were in Amana Sunday for Millstream Brewing’s annual Iowa Craft Beer Bash.

People could enjoy samples of different beers, ciders and spirits.

There were also food trucks and live music.

All proceeds went back to Achieving Maximum Potential, a program that provides life and leadership skills to foster care youth in Iowa.

Leaders with Millstream said the event has been going on for over two decades.

“To bring together over 50 breweries, cideries, distilleries from across the state is awesome. It just shows what good hearts breweries across the state have to support charities,” said Susan Charlier, Millstream Brewing Owner. “Who doesn’t love unlimited beer, cider and spirits samples? It’s just a good time. And it’s a great cause,” she said.

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