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Iowa Hawkeyes won’t give up, regardless of what anyone thinks

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2 years ago

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Iowa Hawkeyes won’t give up, regardless of what anyone thinks


IOWA CITY, Iowa — Within the spacious Iowa soccer weight room this week sits Floyd of Rosedale, the 86-year-old bronze pig that serves as an emblem of victory between the Hawkeyes and Minnesota Gophers.

Iowa’s workers routinely performs opposing struggle songs and stadium anthems, particularly from rivals, throughout game-week exercises. Essentially the most annoying sound for the gamers this yr was the fixed “Cyclone Warning” siren throughout Iowa State week. This week throughout lifting classes, it’s the “Minnesota Rouser” on repeat.

“When it will get to your fifth yr, you sort of began having fun with it,” senior defensive finish Joe Evans stated. “Third yr is while you’re in all probability getting sick of it.”

“I take pleasure in listening to it as a result of we received’t be …,” junior defensive deal with Logan Lee began to say, then stopped himself midsentence. “We hear it quite a bit right here in hopes we don’t hear it a lot there.”

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“I believe they’re making an attempt to encourage us or they’re annoying us, one of many two,” sophomore heart Logan Jones stated.

On Wednesday, an underclassman will give a report earlier than his teammates in regards to the iconic 98.3-pound porker. The trophy issues. Minnesota issues. Everybody within the constructing issues. Everybody outdoors the constructing, properly, the gamers have ignored their opinions for fairly some time.

The Hawkeyes, Gophers, Purdue and Illinois all are tied atop the Large Ten West Division at 4-3 in convention play with two video games remaining. None of them can earn the division title just by successful out, however dealing with their enterprise in these video games is the one state of affairs the groups management. Few groups do it higher than Iowa, and this yr was an excessive — however excellent — instance of the way it occurs.


Iowa claimed the Floyd of Rosedale trophy for the seventh straight yr in 2021. (Jeffrey Becker / USA Right now)

With an offense that continues to hover close to the nationwide low in whole offense and different numbers, Iowa’s protection has stored it aggressive for many of the season. However in October, the Hawkeyes dropped three straight video games, together with an embarrassing 54-10 loss at Ohio State, essentially the most factors surrendered by this system since 1995. With no offensive touchdowns in eight consecutive quarters and a 3-4 report, the workforce appeared on the verge of flatlining throughout the ultimate month. As a substitute, the gamers sharpened their focus, critiqued themselves strongly however pretty and went again to work. The result’s three consecutive wins by a mixed rating of 81-26.

“After Ohio State, the noise was, ‘This workforce’s horrible,’” Evans stated. “Then while you rattle off three in a row and now like everyone seems to be simply saying nice issues about you. So, I believe we do a terrific job of ignoring that noise.”

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Of the 4 groups tied atop the West Division, Iowa has essentially the most possible state of affairs to achieve the Large Ten title sport. The Hawkeyes have to beat Minnesota and Nebraska, and have Illinois lose one sport. The Combating Illini play unbeaten Michigan this weekend, so do the maths.

However in going through one of many nation’s high operating backs in Mohamed Ibrahim, there’s no glancing on the large image for Iowa. The one step Iowa can take this week is thrashing Minnesota, which it has performed for seven consecutive years. However any sort of historical past, whether or not it’s a loss final month or a earlier win in opposition to the Gophers, is a distraction. All consideration stays on the duty at hand.

“For those who don’t deal with each Saturday the identical, I really feel like that’s an indication of a problem in your preparation or one thing like that,” senior linebacker Jack Campbell stated. “When you have got the chance to go and produce Floyd dwelling, simply the second that you just get to the touch him and produce him into the locker room after a win, it simply feels wonderful. And realizing that Minnesota needs the identical factor for themselves, it simply makes it so particular.”

Campbell leads the Large Ten in tackles with 100, one yr after main the nation in that class. He’s the unquestioned chief of the nation’s high protection in yards allowed per play (3.89) and among the many high eight in defensive touchdowns (second), whole protection (third), passing effectivity protection (fourth), scoring protection (fifth) and dashing protection (eighth). In relation to the Gophers and particularly Ibrahim, Campbell has a wholesome respect for what they characterize and the rivalry itself.

“Any time that you consider a Saturday, I all the time get just a little bit of tension,” Campbell stated. “I really feel prefer it’s nearly signal as a result of I really feel prefer it reveals that you just care and that you just don’t need the opposite workforce to win. I hope that everybody else within the constructing and all my opponents really feel the identical manner. As a result of that’s going to provide among the best soccer video games a fan can watch.”

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However ignoring the noise and respecting the opponent doesn’t imply Iowa’s gamers are unaware of what has been stated and written about them, both. The Hawkeyes’ dominant protection and challenged offense deliver groans to the plenty in regards to the potential for a second straight Large Ten championship look. Even a vocal minority of followers recurrently categorical disdain for workforce success as a result of they concern it is going to result in establishment among the many teaching workers.

Too unhealthy, say the Hawkeyes.

“We love proving folks incorrect, and lots of people sort of counted us out,” Lee stated. “It’s actually entertaining to see them coming again. I’m not saying that’s the motivating issue. The motivating issue is to be our greatest and to enhance internally. However typically these extrinsic issues sort of assist just a little bit, too.”

“You see it on a regular basis, like folks simply say they don’t even care if we win and so they simply need this or this to occur,” senior linebacker Seth Benson stated. “You’ll be able to’t even hearken to that stuff as a result of a few of these folks perhaps haven’t even competed a day of their life. You’ve received to battle daily. You’ve received to struggle for what you need, and we’ve performed job of that.”

The Hawkeyes (6-4 general) have a banner of their facility that reads, “We By no means Give Up.” They purchase into the coaches’ message and critique each other in constructive methods. They stick collectively partly due to a dialogue with former Navy Seals Cmdr. Mike Hayes, who informed them two years they need to be keen to do every thing for even the particular person they appreciated least on the roster.

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“It actually places in perspective what a real workforce is,” Benson stated. “I actually like that. For those who’re not keen to do every thing for that one particular person, you then shouldn’t even be right here. That’s how a workforce is fashioned.”

The outcomes are evident. They don’t hand over, and so they received’t hand over. What you or I believe is irrelevant.

(Prime photograph of Seth Benson: Matthew Holst / Getty Photos)





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Iowa

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

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4 hours ago

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November 28, 2024

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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.

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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.

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 Legend Sends Strong Message In Midst of Brutal Season

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11 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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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.”

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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.

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

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19 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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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.”

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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.



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