Iowa

Iowa football: Why redshirt freshman Kamari Moulton is rising in loaded running backs room

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2024

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Iowa football: Why redshirt freshman Kamari Moulton is rising in loaded running backs room

IOWA CITY — Ladell Betts was just talking about this.

During the Kids Day at Kinnick open practice, Kamari Moulton, standing in the backfield with quarterback Brendan Sullivan, ran near the sideline as a check-down option. Sullivan, who went through his progressions, settled with slinging the ball out wide to Moulton.

The pass was a touch behind Moulton, but he adjusted to haul it in. Though it seemed like a rather unremarkable play in a quiet Kids Day performance for Moulton, it spoke to a larger theme.

The day before, Betts, Iowa’s running backs coach, talked about this scenario — almost to a tee.

“If I had to say he had a weakness coming out, it would be his catching the ball and route-running,” Betts said of Moulton. “And those are things he’s worked on and those are things he and I talked about. To me, you wouldn’t even know it’s a weakness at this point.”

Video: Ladell Betts on Leshon Williams, Kaleb Johnson and more

Running backs coach Ladell Betts discusses a variety of topics at Iowa football media day on August 9, 2024.

The redshirt freshman’s rapid ascent on offense reached a new high-water mark when the pre-Illinois State depth chart dropped on Monday — he was listed as the Hawkeyes’ first-team running back. The reasoning for that, as explained by head coach Kirk Ferentz, is multi-pronged.

First, Leshon Williams missed time during fall camp. Williams, coming off the best season of his college career, expects to build off his success of 2023. But an injury, which set back his timeline, also opened up an opportunity for Moulton.

But Moulton has also taken advantage of it.

“Really started showing in December when we were doing more work with the guys,” Ferentz said. “He’d been on the scout team most of the time last year. It seemed like he was maybe a guy who could pop through here a little bit. I think he’s certainly done that in August.”

Video: Kirk Ferentz on Cade McNamara and more ahead of season-opener

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz discusses a variety of topics ahead of the Hawkeyes’ 2024 season-opener vs. Illinois State.

In the short time he has been at Iowa, Moulton has already given a window, albeit brief, into his potential. He was one of the unexpected standouts from the Hawkeyes’ win over Western Michigan last September, when he ran for 50 yards and two touchdowns. But overall, his role was not significant — with that game counting for more than half of his rushing yards on the season as he maintained his redshirt.

“I think last season was a great feeling for me,” Moulton said earlier in August. “Just to be a freshman and be able to travel and see different places and different things. I feel like it was great for my mental and see what I can do, see where places I can be and achieve.”

From Citrus Bowl preparation to the spring to now being on the horizon of the 2024 season, Moulton has risen in the running backs room. He added bulk to his frame, putting on 12 pounds since last season, according to Iowa’s official roster. Rice, chicken and steak, along with work in the weight room, helped him do that.

Buzz around Moulton from the spring was reflected in the pre-fall camp depth chart, on which he was listed as the third-team running back, jumping returning contributor Jaziun Patterson. With Williams out during the Kids Day open practice, Moulton got some reps with the first team. And now heading into Week 1, he has moved past Kaleb Johnson and Williams.

“He’s had a great attitude since he’s been here,” Ferentz said of Moulton, a Florida native. “He’s got good vision. He’s bigger and stronger physically than he was certainly a year ago, year-plus ago when he got here. All that’s good, and that’s one of the benefits of experience. Happy about that. He’s got a tremendous attitude, but he’s got a real good vision, a good ability to see things that maybe other guys can’t see, and that’s been pretty consistent.”

Even then, it’s somewhat surprising Moulton has gotten to the RB1 line so fast. Johnson is considered a potential breakout candidate. Williams has returned to practice and figures to be a significant factor. Patterson is capable of being a contributor. Which makes Moulton’s status all the more impressive, especially for someone who has just 93 career rushing yards to his name.

More: Leistikow: A Kaleb Johnson resurgence would stave off quarterback panic for Iowa football

But just because Moulton is listed as the first-team running back doesn’t negate the fact that Iowa likely won’t be shy in sharing the love. Or potentially riding whoever the hot hand(s) if it emerges. That’s how good Iowa’s running backs room could be.

“I envision us playing a lot of the guys in the group,” Ferentz said. “Max White’s done a good job, too. I feel like it’s a good group that way. We’ll just kind of see how it plays out as we keep going forward. History would say you can never have too many backs, that’s for sure.”

Unlike Johnson, who is physically gifted in many ways, Moulton is not especially imposing in stature. He is listed at just 5-foot-9. The muscle he added has helped make him better suited as a college running back, but it’s not as if he is some genetic wrecking ball.

But he can actually use that to his advantage.

“A lot of the times, (notable plays) happen when you don’t think it’s going to,” defensive lineman Jeremiah Pittman said of Moulton. “Because you think the gap’s sealed off, he either slithers through or he knows how to cut. Like he makes some good cuts. But being a smaller guy, he’s really agile. So I think he knows how to make something out of nothing.”

For instance:

“If I’m a 3-tech going B (gap) and I see him in A (gap), he might not be there by the time I shed the block and get there just because he’s so quick,” Pittman said.

It remains to be seen what type of longevity Moulton holds in that role. But his progress has been a fascinating development in a position group already projected to be one of the best on Iowa’s offense. The Hawkeyes can take all the help they can get as they try to get a rebuilding offense back on its feet under new coordinator Tim Lester.

“He’s just a ball of enjoyment,” defensive back Jermari Harris said of Moulton. “When you talk to him, he’s always smiling. And he plays like that on the field. Hard-nosed runner, can get downhill, great vision. I think he’s shown that over these last couple of weeks.”

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com

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Iowa

West Iowa motorcyclist dies in crash with farm sprayer

Published

12 hours ago

April 30, 2026

Press Room

West Iowa motorcyclist dies in crash with farm sprayer

SHELBY COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A 19-year-old man has died after his motorcycle crashed with a farm sprayer vehicle.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened around 7:25 p.m. Wednesday on County Road M16 in Shelby.

Both vehicles were traveling north, with the motorcycle behind the sprayer. The sprayer began to turn left into a driveway, when the motorcycle rear-ended the farm vehicle.

The motorcycle landed in the west ditch of the road.

The driver, Jacob Buman, from Harlan, died at the scene.

The sprayer driver was uninjured.

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Iowa

Iowa High School Boys Golf Postseason Assignments Revealed

Published

1 day ago

April 30, 2026

Press Room

Iowa High School Boys Golf Postseason Assignments Revealed

The Iowa high school boys golf postseason is right around the corner, and the Iowa High School Athletic Association has revealed pairings for tournaments.

Sectionals in Class 1A, Class 2A and Class 3A will all take place on Wednesday, May 13, as qualifiers will advance to districts scheduled for Monday, May 18. The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Golf Tournaments are locked in for May 26-27, with Class 3A and Class 2A together in Waterloo while Class 1A competes in Newton.

Waverly-Shell Rock, Columbus Catholic, Boyden-Hull Are Defending State Champions

Class 4A boys golf took place this past fall with Johnston’s Andrew Johannsen capturing the individual title. Last spring, Waverly-Shell Rock, Columbus Catholic and Boyden-Hull were crowned team state champions.

The Top 3 teams from each sectional will advance to districts, with the Top 3 teams at districts moving on to the state tournament. Also, the Top 2 overall individual players, plus ties, from each site’s non-qualifying teams will join the state field.

Below are the Iowa high school boys golf postseason pairings for each classification.

Iowa High School Boys Golf Postseason Pairings

Tournaments to be played on Wednesday, May 13 (Sectionals); Monday, May 18 (Districts)

Class 3A

At Storm Lake from Buena Vista Golf Course at Lake Creek (Districts hosted by MOC-Floyd Valley at Landsmeer Golf Course)

Carroll, Cherokee Washington, Denison-Schleswig, Greene County, Harlan Community, MOC-Floyd Valley, Sioux Center, Storm Lake

At Okoboji from Emerald Hills Golf Course (Districts hosted by MOC-Floyd Valley at Landsmeer Golf Course)

Algona, Charles City, Clear Lake, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Iowa Falls-Alden, Okoboji, Spencer, Spirit Lake

At Webster City from Briggs Woods Golf Course (Districts hosted by Altantic at Atlantic Golf and Country Club)

Boone, Des Moines Christian, Gilbert, Humboldt, Nevada, Perry, South Tama County, Webster City

At Knoxville from Pine Knolls Golf Course (Districts hosted by Altantic at Atlantic Golf and Country Club)

Atlantic, Carlisle, Chariton, Clarke Community, Creston, Glenwood, Knoxville, Winterset

At West Delaware from Pin Oak Links (Districts hosted by Marion at Gardner Golf Course)

Anamosa, Center Point-Urbana, Decorah, Independence, Maquoketa, Waukon, Waverly-Shell Rock, West Delaware

At Williamsburg from Stone Creek Golf Course (Districts hosted by Marion at Gardner Golf Course)

ADM, Benton, Clear Creek-Amana, Marion, Mount Vernon, Solon, Vinton-Shellsburg, Williamsburg

At Fairfield from Fairfield Golf Course (Districts hosted by Pella at Bos Landen)

Centerville, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Pella, Washington, West Liberty

At Oskaloosa from Edmundson Golf Course (Districts hosted by Pella at Bos Landen)

Ballard, Bondurant-Farrar, Grinnell, Mid-Prairie, Newton, North Polk, Oskaloosa, Saydel

Class 2A

At West Sioux from Hawarden Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)

Central Lyon, Rock Valley, Sheldon, Sibley-Ocheyedan, Unity Christian, West Lyon, West Sioux, Western Christian

At Ridge View from Holstein Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)

Atla-Aurelia, Hinton, Kuemper Catholic, Lawton-Bronson, Logan-Magnolia, MVAOCOU, OABCIG, Ridge View

At Clarion-Goldfield/Dows from Clarmond Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Eagle Grove, Emmetsburg, Estherville-Lincoln Central, Forest City, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, Pocahontas Area, Sioux Central

At Roland-Story from River Bend Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)

East Sac County, Manson Northwest Webster, Ogden, Roland-Story, South Central Calhoun, South Hamilton, Southeast Valley, Woodward-Granger

At Red Oak from Red Oak Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)

MMCRU, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, Riverside, Shenandoah, Treynor, Tri-Center, Underwood

At Clarinda from Clarinda Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)

Central Decatur, Clarinda, Grand View Christian, Interstate 35, Nodaway Valley, Panorama, Van Meter, West Central Valley

At Tipton from Tipton Country Club (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)

Central Lee, Columbus Community, Durant, Louisa-Muscatine, Mediapolis, Tipton, Lisbon, Wilton

At Davis County from Bloomfield Country Club (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)

Albia, Burlington Notre Dame, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, PCM, Pella Christian, Pleasantville, Iowa City Regina Catholic

At Cascade from Fillmore Fairways (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)

Alburnett, Dyersville Beckman Catholic, Bellevue, Camanche, Cascade, West Branch, Monticello, Northeast

At North Fayette Valley from Pleasant Valley Sports Club (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)

Central Springs, Crestwood, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, MFL MarMac, New Hampton, North Fayette Valley, Osage, Postville

At Denver from Willow Run Country Club (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)

Aplington-Parkersburg, Belmond-Klemme, Columbus Catholic, Denver, Jesup, Maquoketa Valley, Oelwein, Sumner-Fredericksburg

At Grundy Center from Town and Country Golf Course (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)

Colfax-Mingo, Dike-New Hartford, East Marshall, Grundy Center, Hudson, South Hardin, Union Community, West Marshall

Class 1A

At Boyden-Hull from Rolling Hills Country Club (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)

Akron-Westfield, Boyden-Hull, Le Mars Gehlen Catholic, Kingsley-Pierson, Remsen St. Mary’s, South O’Brien, Storm Lake St. Mary’s

At Newell-Fonda from Newell-Fonda Golf Club (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)

Glidden-Ralston, Newell-Fonda, River Valley, Siouxland Christian, West Monona, Westwood, Woodbury Central

At Boyer Valley from Dunlap Golf Course (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)

AHSTW, Boyer Valley, East Mills, Griswold, Heartland Christian, Council Bluffs St. Albert, Woodbine

At Sidney from Fremont County Golf Course (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)

Bedford, Essex, Fremont-Mills, Hamburg, Lenox, Sidney, Southwest Valley

At George-Little Rock from Otter Valley Country Club (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)

Bishop Garrigan, George-Little Rock, GTRA, Harris-Lake Park, North Union, Trinity Christian, West Bend-Mallard

At West Hancock from Britt Golf Course (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)

Clarksville, Mason City Newman, North Butler, Rockford, Saint Ansgar, West Fork, West Hancock

At Turkey Valley from Jackson Heights Golf Course (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)

Central Elkader, Lake Mills, North Iowa, Northwood-Kensett, Riceville, South Winneshiek, Turkey Valley

At East Buchanan from Buffalo Creek (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)

Clayton Ridge, East Buchanan, Edgewood-Colesburg, Nashua-Plainfield, Starmont, Tripoli, Wapsie Valley, West Central

At CAM from Crestwood Hills Golf Course (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)

CAM, ACGC, Audubon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Earlham, Exira-EHK, IKM-Manning

At North Mahaska from Prairie Knotts Country Club (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)

Baxter, BGM, Lynnville-Sully, Madrid, Martensdale-St. Marys, Montezuma, North Mahaska, Southeast Warren

At BCLUW from Oakwood Golf Course (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)

AGWSR, BCLUW, Colo-Nesco, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, GMG, North Tama, St. Edmond

At Belle Plaine from Belle Plaine Country Club (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)

Belle Plaine, Cedar Ridge Christian, Central City, Don Bosco, Dunkerton, North Linn, Springville

At Iowa Valley from Marengo Golf Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)

English Valleys, Hillcrest Academy, HLV, Iowa Valley, Keota, Melcher-Dallas, Sigourney

At Midland from Little Bear Country Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)

Calamus-Wheatland, Easton Valley, Lone Tree, Bellevue Marquette Catholic, Midland, North Cedar, Prince of Peace

At Mount Ayr from Mount Ayr Country Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)

Diagonal, East Union, Lamoni, Moravia, Mormon Trail, Mount Ayr, Wayne

At Winfield-Mt Union (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)

Danville, Highland, Holy Trinity Catholic Fort Madison, New London, WACO, Wapello, Winfield-Mt Union

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Iowa

Iowa gas prices jump 33 cents from last week, more than national average

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2026

Press Room

Iowa gas prices jump 33 cents from last week, more than national average

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa is 33 cents higher from last week, averaging $3.84.

Americans had a brief relief in gas prices last week when prices for brent crude oil dipped below $100 per barrel. On Wednesday it was priced at $117.20, according to AAA.

The latest numbers from AAA show Iowa’s gas prices spiked faster than the national average.

The national average price of gas Wednesday was $4.23, 21 cents higher than last week.

Compared to a year ago, gas is 86 cents more on average in Iowa.

Diesel is also slightly higher this week, averaging $4.94, but was still 52 cents below the national average.

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