Generally, it simply takes one minor factor to start out the ball of momentum rolling. For the Hawkeyes, after issues got here to a standstill on the recruiting path because the soccer season kicked off, maybe it was the homecoming weekend jam-packed with recruits that’s poised to set the ball rolling as soon as once more.
That large weekend obtained off on the proper foot with the announcement by Iowa Western DT Anterio Thompson that he can be becoming a member of the Hawkeyes. On Friday night time, Florida RB Kamari Moulton stored the momentum going.
Now, just some hours later, Iowa has obtained a second dedication from final weekend’s group of holiday makers as former North Dakota State commit Kade Pieper introduced he’s now a Hawkeye.
Pieper is an intriguing prospect for Iowa. At 6’4” and 235 kilos, the Norfolk, Nebraska native seems to be like a prototypical construct for an Iowa tight finish. However Pieper shouldn’t be a good finish. At Norfolk Catholic, he performs each methods lining up main at defensive and offensive line.
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Whenever you activate the movie, you instantly see the kind of physicality, athleticism and toughness that Iowa has begun to focus on on the inside of the offensive line. Ever because the Tyler Linderbaum experiment turned a defensive deal with into an All-American heart, Iowa has been seeking to replicate that success in every recruiting class. Even this yr’s beginning heart, Logan Jones, is a transformed defensive lineman.
Pieper seems to be to be in an identical mildew. He strikes effectively for his measurement, which exhibits by way of on each side of the ball on movie. However what actually jumps off the display is his physicality and that nasty streak we’ve come to search for in Hawkeye linemen. Maybe that’s what drew North Dakota State to Pieper. The Bison have constructed a status of their very own for creating offensive linemen.
Past NDSU, Pieper additionally held gives from North Dakota and South Dakota, however given his lack of measurement for an offensive lineman he had no energy 5 gives and was rated as only a 2-star athlete by Rivals. 247 Sports activities didn’t assign a ranking.
Search for Pieper to return to Iowa Metropolis with one other 10-15 kilos already on his body and searching so as to add 25-30 kilos in a redshirt yr. At 270-280 kilos, he would then be primed to start competing as a redshirt freshman whereas persevering with to develop his method and filling out his body additional.
After Moulton dedicated earlier on Friday night, Pieper takes Iowa’s recruiting class of 2023 to 19 whole commitments. That’s nonetheless good for twenty fourth nationally in response to Rivals and twenty eighth per 247 Sports activities. Maintain your eyes peeled as there are rumblings the Hawkeyes might not be achieved with their homecoming haul.
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.”
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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.
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.”
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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.
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“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.”
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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.”
Injury update
Klieman said RB Dylan Edwards could return against the Cyclones after sustaining a no-contact leg injury two weeks ago against Arizona State.
Campbell said S Drew Surges will be available and DT J.R. Singleton and TE Ben Brahmer are on track to play.
Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Lahaina, Hawaii; Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and No. 5 Iowa State play at Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Cyclones are 4-1 in non-conference play. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 41.2 points per game in the paint led by Keshon Gilbert averaging 9.2.
The Buffaloes are 5-1 in non-conference play. Colorado ranks fifth in the Big 12 shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.
Iowa State makes 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Colorado has allowed to its opponents (40.8%). Colorado averages 13.9 more points per game (77.7) than Iowa State gives up (63.8).
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Gilbert is scoring 16.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Cyclones.
Elijah Malone is averaging 14.3 points for the Buffaloes.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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