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QB competition, special teams overhaul among Iowa football’s open questions

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3 weeks ago

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QB competition, special teams overhaul among Iowa football’s open questions


IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa football is three weeks from its home opener and has yet to name a starting quarterback. Head coach Kirk Ferentz, entering his 28th season, said he will allow the competition to continue.

The two candidates are Jeremy Heklinski and Hank Brown. Both have limited experience, and their statistics are comparable. Ferentz indicated leadership will be the deciding factor.

Brown addressed what the role requires.

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“Being a quarterback, you take on a leadership role, whether you like it or not, but there’s extents that you have to go to to really establish yourself as a leader, especially here,” Brown said. “One of the ways I love to be a leader is just to serve my teammates. It’s just, you know, whatever they need, help them out, encourage them, whatever. Having the discernment to know what they need in that certain moment and do my best to focus on them and not myself.”

While the quarterback position remains unsettled, Iowa’s running back room is not a concern. Ferentz called the group one of the most veteran on the team.

Four running backs with Division I experience return this season. Transfer L.J. Phillips came to Iowa from South Dakota. Kamari Moulton returns as a veteran, along with younger backs Xavier Williams and Nathan McNeil.

No starter has been named, but the unit’s rushing attack ranked in the top five in the Big Ten last season.

“Oh, the competition’s everywhere. The competition’s great,” Phillips said. “We go out here and compete. We make each other better. Iron sharpens iron. And I think, you know, anywhere you go, you’re going to have competition. That’s just life. You know, you want a job interview, you’ve got to compete against someone to get the job.”

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Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said the group’s depth is an asset.

“It’s an exciting group of running backs,” Norvell said. “And right now, you know, we’re building the foundation that we need for a long, hard season. But that competitiveness in the room is making them all better. And so, I think we have a lot of guys that are capable of playing. We’ve had four that have played. You know, and so it’s going to be interesting these next couple weeks to see who rises to the top.”

Iowa’s special teams unit enters the season under new leadership, with changes at coordinator and specialist positions. Ferentz said one player has separated himself in the competition for punt returner.

“If we were playing tomorrow, which we’re not, but you’ll see Lutmer back there, he’d be the first guy,” Ferentz said.

Zach Lutmer said he is ready for the opportunity.

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“Anytime I can get the ball in my hands and, you know, help the team in any way, I’d take that opportunity 100%,” Lutmer said.

Iowa’s season opener is Sept. 5 against Northern Illinois. Fans will have a preview opportunity Saturday at Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.



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Iowa

Iowa soccer returns home with draw vs. undefeated Kansas State

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7 hours ago

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September 4, 2026

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Iowa soccer returns home with draw vs. undefeated Kansas State


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa women’s soccer moved to 4-1-1 on Thursday night after drawing Kansas State, 1-1.

The Wildcats scored in the first half, and had two other goals disallowed. Iowa answered in the second with Reilly Heman tying it up at one.

The Hawkeyes weren’t thrilled by only getting one goal with 25 shots.

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“I’m disappointed that we had moments where we could get the ball down and actually build an attack versus just a hopeful chance. A shot that doesn’t make sense or a cross that’s off balance. I think we struggled in that area with a little bit of quality,” said head coach Dean Ward.

“We’ve got to take this one on the chin and wake up tomorrow, and decide who we want to be and how we want to come out on Sunday,” said third-year player Berit Parten.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.



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Newton Correctional Facility cleared following chemical exposure incident

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17 hours ago

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September 3, 2026

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Newton Correctional Facility cleared following chemical exposure incident


NEWTON, Iowa (KCRG) – The Newton Correctional Facility has been given the all-clear for operations to resume following a chemical exposure incident on Wednesday.

The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) said in a statement on Thursday 19 people were evaluated at hospitals and have all been cleared. 10 of those were staff members and 9 were inmates.

There will be additional on-site medical reassessments to those impacted as a precaution.

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The temporary emergency response was triggered by fumes from a chemical adhesive used by a third-party contractor, IDOC adds.

All operations will resume as normal at the facility.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.



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College Football News predicts Iowa vs. Northern Illinois matchup

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1 day ago

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September 3, 2026

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College Football News predicts Iowa vs. Northern Illinois matchup


College football is back, and that means it’s just a few days until Iowa runs out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium to open the 2026 season.

The No. 22 Hawkeyes will start the season with a nonconference clash against Northern Illinois. The Huskies are new members of the Mountain West Conference and will look to pull off the upset in Week 1. In front of a sold-out home crowd, Iowa looks to start the season with a win before rival Iowa State comes calling next weekend.

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Kickoff is at 3:15 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Pete Fiutak of College Football News broke down the game and offered his thoughts on what the result will be:

Why NIU beats Iowa

Nov 24, 2015; DeKalb, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Northern Illinois Huskies helmet before the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

It may seem unlikely, but there is a path to victory on Saturday for the visiting Huskies. Should he be Northern Illinois’ starting nod, transfer quarterback Taron Dickens is talented and has some weapons to play with.

Throw in an Iowa defense replacing a ton of production from last season, and there could be a recipe for an upset. Fiutak broke down how Northern Illinois could pick up the win:

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“Again, it’s Iowa. It’s not going to run away and hide with this. There will be chances for Northern Illinois to not just stay in this, but to make it a game. It’ll rely on the running game and backs Telly Johnson and Elijah Porter to pound away, and like Iowa, it’ll be super careful controlling the ball and keeping the mistakes to a minimum.”

Why Iowa beats NIU

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 25: Defensive back Zach Lutmer #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates a touchdown after an interception in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

IOWA CITY, IA – OCTOBER 25: Defensive back Zach Lutmer #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates a touchdown after an interception in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

The Hawkeyes are big favorites in this game and for good reason. They have a big advantage on offense through a stout offensive line and talented group of running backs. Even with the turnover on defense, Phil Parker has earned more than enough trust to have his unit ready to roll. Add in the home-field advantage, and it’s easy to see why Iowa is favored.

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Fiutak offered up his reasoning for why Iowa will win this game:

“Northern Illinois did a fantastic job of loading up the secondary with good defensive back options, but the run defense still has a whole lot to be desired. Last year’s version wasn’t bad at times, but really, really bad things happened when it started to get steamrolled.

Iowa is 20-2 over the last four years when it runs for 150 yards or more. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem in this.”

Who will win Iowa vs. NIU?

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Reece Vander Zee #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates his touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores with DJ Vonnahme #81 during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Reece Vander Zee #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates his touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores with DJ Vonnahme #81 during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Despite the questions at quarterback, this is a game Iowa should take care of business in. In front of the Kinnick crowd, the Huskies should have no answers for a strong Hawkeye ground game. Parker’s unit will find a way to make splash plays like they always do.

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Fiutak explained who he’s rolling with to pick up a season-opening win:

“Iowa will come out winging it in a run-and-shoot, up-tempo style that … you know how this works.

Northern Illinois will do its part to keep the pace measured, but Iowa will do it far better.”

Iowa 38, Northern Illinois 6

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Best photos: Iowa football Kids Day at Kinnick

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is pictured during the Kids Day at Kinnick open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, on Aug. 15, 2026.

(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Cit, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: College Football News predicts Iowa vs. Northern Illinois matchup



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