Iowa

Luke Lachey Stepping into Bigger Role for Iowa

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Luke Lachey Stepping into Bigger Role for Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Luke Lachey bobbled the ball for a second, and was simply pulling it into his chest with two palms when he received belted by Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin.

However Nubin’s hit didn’t separate Iowa’s sophomore tight finish from the ball. The 33-yard reception, the most important of Lachey’s budding soccer profession, put the ball on the Minnesota 12 and arrange Drew Stevens’s game-winning stroll off subject purpose final Saturday.

“That was my important factor, ensuring we had possession of the ball on the finish of the play,” Lachey mentioned. “As a result of I knew we may most likely make a subject purpose from there. My palms are sort of massive, and I simply held (the ball) to my chest. It was a giant hit, however I didn’t actually discover it an excessive amount of.”

It was the career-best fifth catch of the sport for Lachey. His 77 profession receiving yards have been one other profession excessive.

The stakes get larger Friday, when the Hawkeyes meet Nebraska within the regular-season finale at Kinnick Stadium with the Huge Ten West Division title and the Heroes Trophy on the road.

And Lachey, who has performed within the shadow of senior tight finish Sam LaPorta the previous two seasons, will step entrance and middle for the primary time in his faculty profession.

LaPorta, Iowa’s chief in receptions (53) and yards (601), was knocked out of the Minnesota recreation within the first quarter with an damage and isn’t anticipated to play Friday

“I don’t know what’s going to occur for certain,” Lachey mentioned of LaPorta’s standing. “However I’m prepared. You achieve confidence with each recreation. I really feel after 11 video games I’ve gained quite a lot of confidence.”

Lachey is anticipated to to start out rather than LaPorta in opposition to the Cornhuskers, with true freshman Addison Ostrenga backing him up.

“Sam is Sam, arguably our greatest man on offense,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned. “The excellent news is Luke has carried out an excellent job. Ostrenga did an excellent job leaping in there. We’ll must play him extra. We have now to discover a approach to get it carried out.”

Subsequent Man In, Iowa soccer’s mantra within the 24 seasons Ferentz has been head coach, will probably be on show Friday.

“We’re not going to reinvent issues,” quarterback Spencer Petras mentioned. “Huge shock. Subsequent man in. It’s a cliche, but it surely’s so actual. If Sam can’t go, somebody has to. Somebody has received to make performs. I’ve confidence in these guys.”

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Petras watches video each Thursday at Iowa’s soccer complicated. Each time he walks in, he stops within the tight finish room. LaPorta and Lachey are at all times in there, watching video collectively like instructor and scholar.

“I believe Sam has been mentoring him the final two years,” Petras mentioned.

These movie periods have been invaluable in Lachey’s progress as a good finish.

“Sam has actually taught me find out how to watch movie,” Lachey mentioned, “together with Coach Brian Ferentz and (tight ends coach) Abdul Hodge. They’ve taught me what to search for, so far as what coverages different groups are in.”

On Friday, the scholar will probably be changing the instructor.

“He’s been second fiddle to Sam, however I’d be the primary to inform you he is a very proficient participant,” Petras mentioned. “I’m excited to see what he can do.”

Petras mentioned Lachey, a giant goal at 6-6 and 252 kilos, has improved his route working and he’s began to interrupt tackles and choose up further yardage.

“I believe final yr he by no means broke any tackles,” Petras added. “Time will inform what his ceiling is, however I believe he’s a very good participant.”

Lachey’s blocking expertise, obligatory for an Iowa tight finish, have additionally improved. When he performed at Grandview Excessive Faculty in Columbus, Ohio, Lachey lined up on the skin and didn’t have to dam on the line of scrimmage.

“That’s positively been the hardest factor for me, and I’m nonetheless engaged on it on daily basis,” mentioned Lachey, a pre-business main who has a 3.67 grade-point common and earned Tutorial All-District honors earlier this week. “You’ll be able to by no means be glad with that sort of stuff.”

LaPorta has helped groom Lachey with that side of the sport as nicely.

“I simply watch him, and attempt to do what he does,” Lachey mentioned. “As a result of he does such a terrific job on his routes and his blocking. He does quite a lot of little issues that actually assist him out. Simply attempting to emulate him has helped me.”

On Friday, Lachey will seemingly see probably the most prolonged taking part in time of his faculty profession.
“We all know this recreation has two championships on the road,” Lachey mentioned. “We’re positively anxious for that, however we’re assured going into it. And we all know it’s their final recreation, and so they’re going to convey all the pieces they’ve. We have got to ensure we give them our greatest.”

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Iowa

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

Published

7 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

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.

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.

Mickey’s record-setting ace! 💛#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/PlUu17YR2R
— Iowa Volleyball (@IowaVolleyball) November 28, 2024

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝗲𝘀 👑
With Michelle’s second ace tonight, she has set the program record for service aces in a season during the rally scoring era (42).#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/fimM7XstTc
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— Iowa Volleyball (@IowaVolleyball) November 28, 2024

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

Iowa Legend Sends Strong Message In Midst of Brutal Season

Published

15 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

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.”

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

Published

22 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

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.”

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.

“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.”

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.”