Iowa State will deviate from Large 12 play, taking up Chicago State Tuesday evening. The Cyclones will look to keep up their optimistic momentum after incomes a seventh straight win.
The volleyball group has been firing on all cylinders, overcoming TCU 3-1 Friday after a loss to the Horned Frogs earlier within the season. Though Iowa State will take a break from the depth of convention play, the method will stay the identical.
“We attempt to maintain all the things as uniform as doable in how we put together, so the ladies perceive and know what to anticipate coming right into a match,” assistant coach Marc Neef mentioned.
Chicago State is 6-13 general with a 2-9 file on the highway. The Cougars are a decrease caliber of opponent in comparison with Large 12 groups, however the unfamiliarity may present a problem for Iowa State.
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“We simply don’t know them in addition to our convention opponents that we face twice a 12 months, 12 months in and 12 months out,” Neef mentioned.
The Cyclones will enter the match ranked No. 25 within the AVCA coach’s ballot. The rating got here after Iowa State secured its seventh consecutive Large 12 win, together with wins over the opposite two ranked Large 12 opponents, No. 11 Baylor and No. 1 Texas.
“It’s actually rewarding,” senior Annie Hatch mentioned. “I really feel like we’ve been placing within the work and getting a variety of good wins, so it’s good to see that [ranking].”
Iowa State has been clicking on the offensive finish lately. The group has seen a number of gamers attain double figures all through the seven-match win streak.
Over the previous three weeks, offensive facets like attacker decision-making and setter areas have improved, Neef mentioned. One of many greatest difference-makers, nevertheless, has been the reintegration of Hatch into the lineup.
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“Her decision-making as an attacker has all the time been considered one of her strengths,” Neef mentioned. “I feel on prime of that she’s doing an excellent job blocking, ensuring our block is in a very good location to achieve success.”
Following an damage previous to the season, Hatch first noticed the ground towards Kansas State, the place she obtained two serves in Iowa State’s 0-3 loss. However, her six-kill efficiency within the subsequent match towards Kansas helped the Cyclones kick off their win streak.
As she has seen extra of the ground, Iowa State’s offense has develop into progressively extra environment friendly, with Hatch most lately main the group with 13 kills within the win over TCU. Hatch’s presence on the court docket will probably be a key issue towards Chicago State, because the Cyclones purpose to increase their successful streak to eight.
“I feel [the team] trusts one another so much, and so I simply attempt to deal with including vitality, including pleasure and serving to elevate spirits,” Hatch mentioned.
Iowa State will tackle Chicago State at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hilton Coliseum.
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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