Issues haven’t been trending nicely for the Hawkeyes on the sector of late as Iowa has misplaced three straight video games within the month of November. A whole lot of that has been associated to an offense that ranks nationally in manufacturing. However the protection has remained stout and ranks top-10 nationally in nearly each statistical class.
It comes as little shock, although maybe some consternation, that it’s the protection which continues to hit the bottom working on the recruiting path. The Hawkeyes have put collectively a borderline top-25 recruiting class in 2023, pushed largely by 9 defensive commitments.
Early Saturday morning/late Friday night time, simply hours earlier than the Hawkeyes play host to the Northwestern Wildcats, Phil Parker added to his haul within the class as Iowa added a dedication from Iowa Western Group Faculty defensive sort out Anterio Thompson.
Initially from Dubuque, Thompson is a bodily specimen, measuring in at 6’2” and 300 kilos. He’s the kind of huge physique blended with athleticism that Iowa has hardly ever seen and after they do, they usually solely see for a season or two.
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Within the case of Thompson, that’s roughly according to his timeline as issues stand. A 2021 graduate of Dubuque Hempstead, Thompson took a redshirt his first season in Council Bluffs earlier than bursting onto the scene this yr. By way of seven video games, he’s racked up 17 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 4 sacks at DT for the Reivers.
Now, Thompson is about to graduate in December and enroll at Iowa in January with three years left to play for the Hawkeyes.
When he does be part of Iowa, he brings with him a physicality the Hawkeyes might want to substitute in the course of the defensive position with the commencement of Noah Shannon. The Hawkeyes have youth on the depth chart, nevertheless it’s potential we see a participant like Lukas Van Ness slide outdoors to interchange the graduating John Waggoner and Joe Evans creating a necessity for much more depth alongside Logan Lee and Jeremiah Pittman.
Past the sheer dimension and physicality, Thompson reveals nice explosion and burst on movie, giving him a mixture of skills within the go rush. He can blow previous slower linemen or overpower weaker ones. Arriving in January, Thompson ought to have a spring and fall camp to proceed growing his method and hand placement permitting him to right away issue into the rotation at defensive sort out in 2023.
With the addition of Thompson, Iowa now has 17 commitments within the class of 2023. It’s a category that now ranks twenty fifth nationally based on Rivals and thirtieth per 247 Sports activities. Thompson is Iowa’s tenth dedication on Parker’s protection. He joins fellow Iowan Maddux Borcherding-Johnson at defensive sort out. He’s iowa fourth dedication in whole on the defensive position, becoming a member of Colorado native Chase Brackney, Des Moines native David Caulker and Michigan native Kenny Marrieweather, all of whom are defensive finish prospects.
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Whereas Thompson is about to play on Saturday, the Hawkeyes might be internet hosting practically two dozen highschool prospects for his or her homecoming matchup with Northwestern. Thompson could be the first of a number of weekend commitments for Iowa.
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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