Iowa
Penn State Wrestling vs Iowa 125 Preview: Drake Ayala vs. Braeden Davis – FloWrestling
What: #2 Braeden Davis, FR (Penn State), 14-0 vs #6 Drake Ayala, SO (Iowa), 17-3
When: Friday, February 9, 2024 at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET)
Where: Iowa City, Iowa (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
How to watch: Big Ten Network/Fox Sports App
Braeden Davis and Drake Ayala will set the tone when they face off at 125 pounds during Friday night’s dual between Penn State (8-0) and Iowa (10-1). The most hyped meet of the season will likely start at the lightest weight — and this could be the main event.
The 125-pound class has more twists and turns than an ambitious mystery novel. Nothing is sacred — especially rankings.
Davis, a true freshman from Belleville, Michigan, is ranked second. He remains the only undefeated wrestler at the weight.
Ayala, a redshirt sophomore from Fort Dodge, Iowa, is ranked sixth. He is 2-2 following a nine-match winning streak from Nov. 26, 2023, to January 15, 2024.
Davis is 5-0 and Ayala is 3-2 against common opponents, but that likely won’t matter when the two face off in front of a partisan Iowa crowd. Both are known for their conditioning, so expect this match to be all gas and no breaks.
Common College Opponents
Earning the first takedown is always a good thing, but it could ultimately decide the outcome. An early takedown — especially in the first period — sets the tone for the remainder of the match. Crowd noise will be a factor, so Ayala striking first gets Hawkeye fans invested (assuming the dual starts at 125) and Davis striking first could momentarily silence the crowd.
Davis was in a nailbiter against Ohio State’s Vinnie Kilkeary during his last outing on February 2. Kilkeary nearly scored a takedown as time expired but Davis held on for the 4-3 win despite widespread disagreement about the call.
Don’t be surprised if that type of match happens again where either gets the lead with the other giving chase in the closing seconds. Iowa fans will get behind Ayala whether he is ahead or behind.
Ayala fell behind Purdue’s top-ranked Matt Ramos on January 19, which resulted in a 4-1 loss with the Iowa sophomore working hard for a takedown at the end. Both should be ready for that type of match.
The crowd is the second opponent every wrestler faces when he competes in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Davis’s spotless record proves he’s a winner. Ayala’s biggest test of the season might be against Davis.
This could be the first chapter in an ongoing rivalry between these two lightweight stars.
Key wins this season
Braeden Davis (Penn State)
— #10 Michael DeAugustino (Michigan), 5-1 on Jan. 19, 2024
— #11 Brandon Kaylor (Oregon State), 11-6 on Jan. 5, 2024
Drake Ayala (Iowa)
— #15 Patrick McKee (Minnesota), 8-5 on Jan. 15, 2024
— #9 Caleb Smith (Nebraska), 7-3 on Jan. 12, 2024
— #15 Patrick McKee (Minnesota), 5-4 on Dec. 30, 2023
— #14 Jore Volk (Wyoming), 4-2 on Dec. 30, 2023
— #21 Kysen Terukina (Iowa State), 7-2 on Nov. 26, 2023
— #26 Eli Griffin (Cal Baptist), 18-8 on Nov. 4, 2023
Iowa
Fatal crash on I-35 in Iowa
NORTHWOOD, Iowa (KTTC) – One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Worth County.
According to Iowa State Patrol, around 1:45 p.m., a vehicle was traveling southbound on Interstate 35 in Worth County near the 208-exit ramp. The driver lost control of the vehicle, went into the median, through the cable barrier and struck the bridge pillar.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Copyright 2024 KTTC. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Updating Iowa State rankings in college football polls ahead of UCF matchup
Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell praises linebackers’ efforts
It hasn’t been easy for Iowa State’s linebackers, who have been hurt by injuries, but players continue to step up for the Cyclones.
The latest college football polls have been released, and Iowa State keeps moving up.
Iowa State improved to 6-0 after beating West Virginia 28-16 on Saturday in Morgantown.
The Cyclones are now set for a matchup at home vs. UCF on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Iowa State rankings update
Where did Iowa State land?
On Sunday, Iowa State checked in at No. 12 in USATODAY US LBM coaches poll. Previously, the Cyclones were No. 13.
Iowa State climbed up to No. 9 in the newest AP Top 25 college football poll. Last week, the Cyclones were No. 11.
US LBM Coaches Poll
Here is a look at the new US LBM college football coaches poll top 25.
- Texas
- Oregon
- Penn State
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Miami (Fla.)
- Alabama
- LSU
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Notre Dame
- Iowa State
- BYU
- Texas A&M
- Ole Miss
- Missouri
- Kansas State
- Indiana
- Boise State
- Pittsburgh
- Illinois
- Michigan
- SMU
- Army West Point
- Nebraska
Schools Dropped Out
No. 16 Oklahoma; No. 17 Utah
Others Receiving Votes
Oklahoma 81; Arizona State 49; Navy 37; Utah 31; Vanderbilt 26; Syracuse 13; UNLV 12; Iowa 12; Texas Tech 9; Liberty 9; Washington State 8; Memphis 4; Louisville 4; James Madison 3; Tulane 2
AP Poll
Here is a look at the new Associated Press college football poll top 25
- Texas
- Oregon
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Miami (Fla.)
- Alabama
- LSU
- Iowa State
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Notre Dame
- BYU
- Texas A&M
- Boise State
- Indiana
- Kansas State
- Ole Miss
- Missouri
- PIttsburgh
- SMU
- Illinois
- Army West Point
- Michigan
- Navy
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:
Vanderbilt 68, Nebraska 62, Arizona St. 39, Oklahoma 36, Washington St. 32, Iowa 29, Texas Tech 18, Syracuse 13, Arkansas 13, Utah 7, Louisville 6, Southern Cal 5, Liberty 2, UNLV 1.
Reach Eugene Rapay at erapay@gannett.com and follow him on X/Twitter @erapay5.
Iowa
Becht, Hansen lead No. 11 Iowa State over West Virginia 28-16 for first 6-0 start since 1938
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht believes the Cyclones have yet to hit their peak during their best start in 86 years.
Carson Hansen rushed for three scores, Becht threw a touchdown pass and No. 11 Iowa State beat West Virginia 28-16 on Saturday night.
The Cyclones (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) opened the season with six wins for the first time since 1938.
“I feel like we haven’t even played our best game yet as a whole — special teams, defense, and offense,” Becht said. The goal is “finding ways to get better each and every single week, and our mindset is just 0-0 and trying to win that next game.”
Iowa State forged a first-place tie in the league with BYU and idle Texas Tech.
The Cyclones broke open a close game by scoring two touchdowns after intercepting West Virginia’s Garrett Greene in the second half.
Becht found Eli Green on passes of 12 and 34 yards on consecutive plays to set up the Cyclones at the West Virginia 17. A third-down holding call on West Virginia cornerback Ayden Garnes gave Iowa State first-and-goal at the 3, and Hansen scored on the next play for a 21-10 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Jontez Williams made his third interception of the season on West Virginia’s next drive, and Iowa State took over at the Mountaineers’ 34. Hansen ran for 20 yards on the ensuing drive, capped by his 2-yard scoring run for a 28-10 lead with 4:42 left.
Hansen, a sophomore who also scored on an 11-yard run in the second quarter, finished with 96 rushing yards, one shy of the career high he set last week against Baylor. He ran for a total of 67 yards during an injury-filled freshman season.
“For him to consistently play the way he has the last couple of weeks, it’s awesome to watch,” Becht said.
West Virginia (3-3, 2-1) was held to 148 rushing yards against the league’s top defense after amassing 389 yards on the ground a week ago at Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers were hurt by several high snaps that threw off their timing and runs parallel to the line of scrimmage that lost yardage.
“In the second half, when it was winning time, we didn’t win,” said West Virginia coach Neal Brown. “We struggled to get into a rhythm.”
Becht completed 18 of 26 passes for 265 yards, including a 60-yard scoring toss to Jaylin Noel in blown coverage in the second quarter.
Becht’s father, Anthony, was honored on the field after the first quarter for his induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He played tight end for the Mountaineers from 1996-99 and 11 seasons in the NFL.
“You couldn’t ask for a greater night for his family,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said.
Rocco Becht said he wished he could have been there with his dad, “but I had bigger things going on trying to win this game.”
Jahiem White had an 8-yard scoring run and a 10-yard TD catch for West Virginia. Greene finished 18 of 32 for 206 yards.
Iowa State: The Cyclones answered the challenge on both sides of the ball in winning their seventh straight road game. Becht played smart and efficient, and the nation’s sixth-best scoring defense was stout again.
West Virginia: The Mountaineers many too many mistakes at key times and now have lost eight consecutive games to ranked opponents.
Iowa State might have a tough time moving up when the AP poll comes out on Sunday. The Cyclones were tied at No. 11 with Notre Dame, which beat Stanford 49-7.
Iowa State: Hosts UCF on Saturday night.
West Virginia: Hosts No. 18 Kansas State on Saturday night.
___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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